1982 - 1992
As history has proven, splits in the church leave deep wounds that take time to heal. The next decade was healing, rebuilding years for the Mt. Olive General Baptist Church. The few members that remained were faithful, dedicated God loving people, who were loyal to God and to his church, with a desire to see the church once again become one of the leading churches in the community. Witnessing was more difficult, as many more new families moved into the community; they would drive to nearby Evansville to attend larger churches. Many of the churches in Evansville had relocated to the East Side, and as Evansville expanded eastward, and Newburgh expanded westward, the distance became shorter. The larger churches in the city could offer more ministries for the family, especially for the youth with their large youth programs, youth ministers, and Christina life Centers to carry out such activities that draw the youth. This proved a great overcoming obstacle for the smaller churches in Newburgh.
The congregation survived the next ten years as slow progress was made in expanding the ministries of the church. The congregation was a determined one, and they survived and experienced slow growth. By 1991 the membership again reached 83 members. Deacons of the church were Eddie Fulkerson, Terry Douglas, Ron Bass and Gilbert Powell.
Rev. Bullock retired from the active ministry after 42 years in the pastorate October 1991, and the search for a new pastor began. April 1992 Rev. Ken Slater, a General Baptist Minister's son was called to assume the pastorate. A young enthusiastic minister with children began to lead the congregation. The congregation prayed for continued growth under this new, young pastor with challenging and fresh new ideas for the congregation.
During the first year of Rev. Slater's pastorate, the church purchased the prime piece of real estate north of the church for future growth for the Mt. Olive church. Sacrificially the congregation pledged to pay for the purchase. The feeling was once again that the church was on the threshold of great and mighty things happening for the church and for the glory of God. The prayers of all were that the next 10 years may prove to be the most rewarding, spiritual years the church had experienced.
Children, grandchildren and great grand children of some of the charter members are members and attending the church. The Willis Taylor, Tom Price, John Price, Eli Smith, Harry Powell, Millard Bice, Lizzie Moore descendants are ever grateful for the vision those early charter members had in 1912 to organize the Mt. Olive General Baptist Church.
1992 - 2000
The church continued to grow in spirit with many new Bible studies and the Lord blessed us by sending many new families for the church to minister to.
In August 1996 the church voted to send Virgil Creek and Dave Robbins to the Freedom Presbytery as Deacons. They were approved and served the church well. Dave and Karen Robbins were working as directors at Camp Brosend.
In May of 1998 the church voted to build the addition to the south of the present building. In February of 1999 the loan for the lot to the north of the church was paid off. This was done in seven years of a fourteen-year loan. This was done with sacrificial giving by all the people of the church.
In April of 1999, the blue prints for an educational wing and new fellowship hall were viewed and approved by the church. Finally in March of 2000, the church voted to begin building a 47 by 70 addition to the south of the present building. There would be a new fellowship hall and kitchen downstairs and 7 rooms upstairs. Bro. Bill Bullock and Bro. Virgil Creek took the lead in getting the building project off the ground. With the help of many men and women of the church working together the building soon came together. By working together and praying together the church saved thousands of dollars.
We now continue to reach out to this community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
2000 - 2005
The next five years Mt. Olive experienced growth in all areas under the leadership of Pastor Bro. Ken Slater, whose term of pastorate exceeded all previous pastorates to 14 successive years. Bible Studies now in the morning and evening services, Sunday School classes for all ages, Women's Missionary Society and Men's Brotherhood Ministries, Teen Youth Group and Children's Ministries offered.
As the congregation grew a need for more deacons to assist in ministries was realized. To assist present Deacons Bro.Virgil Creek, Bro. Ron Smith and Bro. Frank Long, Bro.Wayne Phelps and Bro. Scott Banks were ordained to serve as Deacons.
Men are answering the call into the ministry. Among these are Bro. Josh Slater, Bro.Glen Millsap, Bro. Don Jones and Bro. Dave Coon.
Finances were also on an increase. The $94,000.00 loan on the addition to the south side of the church in 2000 was paid off in 2005. As a need for more parking space increased, the men of the church began to concrete an extra parking lot on the North lot and built an utility building on this lot to shelter the church van and lawn equipment. This still left a large lot for a children's playground, as the YMCA use our facility all summer for youth activities.
Pastor Ken and Diane Slater have built a new home in Chandler, Indiana, leaving the present parsonage vacant. Decisions will be made soon on future plans for the parsonage.
Attendance increase was making it necessary to expand the present sanctuary and with the church furnishings now 35 years old, there was a need of replacing them. The congregation voted in 2005 to proceed with plans to add on the west end of the present sanctuary and purchase all new church furnishings, lighting, a sound system, enlarge the present foyer and in the basement will provide a larger area for our Children's Church and 2 more classrooms.
God has certainly blessed Mt. Olive Church these past 93 years (1912-2005). Our prayer is that we will continue to be guided by the Lord as we continue in fulfilling our mission statement to REACH, TEACH and MINISTER throughout all the world.
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