What brought you to Wilshire and when?
In 1972, we had just moved to Dallas with baby Steve for Sam to take his first full-time job. We erroneously assumed we could go to whatever Baptist church was nearest our apartment. When that clearly wasn’t working out, Mike and Shaeron Moorhead invited us to a church they had just found, Wilshire, and we have been here ever since.
Who was pastor when you joined?
Bruce McIver was our pastor.
What was the building like back then?
There was no third floor. The Young Adult III Sunday School department was on the second floor.
What ministries or staff members have impacted your life?
James Smith was minister of education, so we asked him if we could combine our men’s and women’s classes and if we could develop our own curriculum instead of using standard Baptist Broadman Press literature — revolutionary ideas in those days. He was reluctant, but now that is the norm in adult classes. Merle Harrell and Lois Harper were impactful; they coordinated the preschool and children’s Sunday School for our sons.
What are some favorite memories?
Most who were present will remember the Sunday when one of the Sanctuary chandeliers slipped during worship. Those were some tense moments as we scrambled to get out of its way in case it fell. It did not, but the service ended immediately.
What’s something from the early days that might be surprising to newer members?
Wilshire is a forward-thinking church, but there was a time when women had the traditional roles of teaching in the children’s department or as a staff member in administrative roles, but never in leadership. That has changed in recent decades at Wilshire, but not in all Baptist churches.
What things are different and what has stayed the same?
In the early years, people dressed up to come to church, ladies and girls in dresses, men and boys often in suits. Today, everything is casual as the church strives to engage all people. What has stayed the same is the friendliness of the people.
Why have you stayed so long?
We are completely invested in inclusivity. Were it not for Wilshire’s acceptance of all Christians, we wouldn’t be here.