HOW IT ALL STARTED...
The history of the Willow Park Baptist Church does not begin at the corner of Ranch House and Bankhead. In fact, it doesn’t begin in Texas at all.
The vision of the Willow Park Baptist Church began in the heart of Pastor J.D. Towles in Artesia, New Mexico. At that time, “Preacher” had spent eighteen years at his current church and was well on his way to retirement, but God had other plans. Pastor J.D. Towles felt God calling him to North Texas to start a new church. So, he uprooted his family, loaded their possessions, and moved to Weatherford, Texas to further seek God’s will.
On a Wednesday night in May of 1994, Pastor J.D. Towles met together with twelve other people to pray, worship, and ask for God’s direction. That evening, they sat on the floor of a small storefront building, sang from taped together hymnals, and prayed that God would bless their faith.
In only a few months, Willow Park Baptist was chartered and land was purchased for our current location. In August of 1995, only a year after their first meeting, Willow Park Baptist opened the doors to the first phase of their building plan (which today is the Reach Out Center). Over the next several years, God blessed Willow Park Baptist and the church grew.
In 2000, we moved into our new six hundred seat Worship Center. Additional education space and a dedicated youth room were added in 2003.
In 2006, after more than thirty years of service, Pastor J.D. Towles retired from full–time ministry. In May of 2006, Clark Bosher was called to be pastor of the Willow Park Baptist Church. Having been an evangelist for fourteen years and having preached in hundreds of revivals, crusades, camps and youth rallies, Pastor Clark brought with him a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ. His vision is that Willow Park Baptist would be true to the Word of God and that it would be unwavering in its sacrificial commitment to tell the world that Jesus saves. Pastor Clark says, “Three things I know are never going to go out of style, Jesus, the Church and the anointed preaching of God’s Word.”
God gave Clark a vision for the church to purchase eighty-two acres, relocate and build a new campus. Willow Park Baptist Church set out on a venture of faith that only God could answer. Seeing our church grow, people saved and lives changed is the “Eternal Mission” that God has called us too. Yet, with this growth, we were led of God to purchase the eighty-two acres north of I-20, between Ranch House and Mikus Rd. The cost of the property was 4.7 million; we also owed 1.6 million on our present property. Our campaign called, “For Such a Time as This,” taken from Esther 4:14, has been beyond miraculous. We have watched as God has put on the hearts of His people a vision to reach Parker County and beyond. Our debt on the eighty-two acres and our present property has been paid off, Praise God!!
We know Parker County is projected to grow. As a church, we are determined to do all we can to reach people for Jesus Christ. Pastor Clark is always preaching that “Our Best Days Have Yet to Come.” It is obvious that God is still writing our Story. It is a journey of Faith! We Praise God that we get to be a part of it. Under the leadership of Pastor Clark, we are continuing to focus on our “Eternal Mission” to reach the lost and help disciples of Jesus Christ grow and flourish.
The vision of the Willow Park Baptist Church began in the heart of Pastor J.D. Towles in Artesia, New Mexico. At that time, “Preacher” had spent eighteen years at his current church and was well on his way to retirement, but God had other plans. Pastor J.D. Towles felt God calling him to North Texas to start a new church. So, he uprooted his family, loaded their possessions, and moved to Weatherford, Texas to further seek God’s will.
On a Wednesday night in May of 1994, Pastor J.D. Towles met together with twelve other people to pray, worship, and ask for God’s direction. That evening, they sat on the floor of a small storefront building, sang from taped together hymnals, and prayed that God would bless their faith.
In only a few months, Willow Park Baptist was chartered and land was purchased for our current location. In August of 1995, only a year after their first meeting, Willow Park Baptist opened the doors to the first phase of their building plan (which today is the Reach Out Center). Over the next several years, God blessed Willow Park Baptist and the church grew.
In 2000, we moved into our new six hundred seat Worship Center. Additional education space and a dedicated youth room were added in 2003.
In 2006, after more than thirty years of service, Pastor J.D. Towles retired from full–time ministry. In May of 2006, Clark Bosher was called to be pastor of the Willow Park Baptist Church. Having been an evangelist for fourteen years and having preached in hundreds of revivals, crusades, camps and youth rallies, Pastor Clark brought with him a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ. His vision is that Willow Park Baptist would be true to the Word of God and that it would be unwavering in its sacrificial commitment to tell the world that Jesus saves. Pastor Clark says, “Three things I know are never going to go out of style, Jesus, the Church and the anointed preaching of God’s Word.”
God gave Clark a vision for the church to purchase eighty-two acres, relocate and build a new campus. Willow Park Baptist Church set out on a venture of faith that only God could answer. Seeing our church grow, people saved and lives changed is the “Eternal Mission” that God has called us too. Yet, with this growth, we were led of God to purchase the eighty-two acres north of I-20, between Ranch House and Mikus Rd. The cost of the property was 4.7 million; we also owed 1.6 million on our present property. Our campaign called, “For Such a Time as This,” taken from Esther 4:14, has been beyond miraculous. We have watched as God has put on the hearts of His people a vision to reach Parker County and beyond. Our debt on the eighty-two acres and our present property has been paid off, Praise God!!
We know Parker County is projected to grow. As a church, we are determined to do all we can to reach people for Jesus Christ. Pastor Clark is always preaching that “Our Best Days Have Yet to Come.” It is obvious that God is still writing our Story. It is a journey of Faith! We Praise God that we get to be a part of it. Under the leadership of Pastor Clark, we are continuing to focus on our “Eternal Mission” to reach the lost and help disciples of Jesus Christ grow and flourish.
EXPANDING THE VISION
I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH...
It was a clarifying moment in the lives of the disciples when Jesus asked in Matthew 16, “Whom say ye that I am?” The time and society offered many answers to this question, but Jesus wanted to know what the disciples believed. Simon answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This statement alone changed the course of human history, recognizing that our God is alive and has sent His Son into the world to save mankind. Jesus then announces in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.”
The privilege and responsibility is ours to be a member of the church that Jesus announced in Matthew 16:18. We, as a church, have seen God’s faithfulness proven over the course of our 22 years as Willow Park Baptist Church. It was by the leadership of God, that we faithfully stepped out to purchase the 82 acre parcel of land to continue our purpose and it was by the provision of God that we were able to pay it off, as well as give a record amount to global missions. Understanding we are “His church” and leaning on His guidance, we continue to move forward, asking God to lead us as we begin the development on our new property. More space is essential for our church to continue reaching individuals and families for Jesus Christ. I’m asking you to pray and seek God for the future of Willow Park Baptist Church.
I’m persuaded that this is a part of the “Eternal Mission” that God has called Willow Park Baptist Church to embrace at this time. We know that one day buildings will rot, replaced by a new heaven and new earth. Therefore, we are not just constructing a new campus, but we are rescuing lives, so that the world may know who Jesus is, “The Christ, the Son of the living God.”
-Pastor, Clark Bosher
It was a clarifying moment in the lives of the disciples when Jesus asked in Matthew 16, “Whom say ye that I am?” The time and society offered many answers to this question, but Jesus wanted to know what the disciples believed. Simon answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This statement alone changed the course of human history, recognizing that our God is alive and has sent His Son into the world to save mankind. Jesus then announces in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.”
The privilege and responsibility is ours to be a member of the church that Jesus announced in Matthew 16:18. We, as a church, have seen God’s faithfulness proven over the course of our 22 years as Willow Park Baptist Church. It was by the leadership of God, that we faithfully stepped out to purchase the 82 acre parcel of land to continue our purpose and it was by the provision of God that we were able to pay it off, as well as give a record amount to global missions. Understanding we are “His church” and leaning on His guidance, we continue to move forward, asking God to lead us as we begin the development on our new property. More space is essential for our church to continue reaching individuals and families for Jesus Christ. I’m asking you to pray and seek God for the future of Willow Park Baptist Church.
I’m persuaded that this is a part of the “Eternal Mission” that God has called Willow Park Baptist Church to embrace at this time. We know that one day buildings will rot, replaced by a new heaven and new earth. Therefore, we are not just constructing a new campus, but we are rescuing lives, so that the world may know who Jesus is, “The Christ, the Son of the living God.”
-Pastor, Clark Bosher
EXPANDING THE VISION
I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH...
It was a clarifying moment in the lives of the disciples when Jesus asked in Matthew 16, “Whom say ye that I am?” The time and society offered many answers to this question, but Jesus wanted to know what the disciples believed. Simon answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This statement alone changed the course of human history, recognizing that our God is alive and has sent His Son into the world to save mankind. Jesus then announces in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.”
The privilege and responsibility is ours to be a member of the church that Jesus announced in Matthew 16:18. We, as a church, have seen God’s faithfulness proven over the course of our 22 years as Willow Park Baptist Church. It was by the leadership of God, that we faithfully stepped out to purchase the 82 acre parcel of land to continue our purpose and it was by the provision of God that we were able to pay it off, as well as give a record amount to global missions. Understanding we are “His church” and leaning on His guidance, we continue to move forward, asking God to lead us as we begin the development on our new property. More space is essential for our church to continue reaching individuals and families for Jesus Christ. I’m asking you to pray and seek God for the future of Willow Park Baptist Church.
I’m persuaded that this is a part of the “Eternal Mission” that God has called Willow Park Baptist Church to embrace at this time. We know that one day buildings will rot, replaced by a new heaven and new earth. Therefore, we are not just constructing a new campus, but we are rescuing lives, so that the world may know who Jesus is, “The Christ, the Son of the living God.”
-Pastor, Clark Bosher
It was a clarifying moment in the lives of the disciples when Jesus asked in Matthew 16, “Whom say ye that I am?” The time and society offered many answers to this question, but Jesus wanted to know what the disciples believed. Simon answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This statement alone changed the course of human history, recognizing that our God is alive and has sent His Son into the world to save mankind. Jesus then announces in Matthew 16:18, “I will build my church.”
The privilege and responsibility is ours to be a member of the church that Jesus announced in Matthew 16:18. We, as a church, have seen God’s faithfulness proven over the course of our 22 years as Willow Park Baptist Church. It was by the leadership of God, that we faithfully stepped out to purchase the 82 acre parcel of land to continue our purpose and it was by the provision of God that we were able to pay it off, as well as give a record amount to global missions. Understanding we are “His church” and leaning on His guidance, we continue to move forward, asking God to lead us as we begin the development on our new property. More space is essential for our church to continue reaching individuals and families for Jesus Christ. I’m asking you to pray and seek God for the future of Willow Park Baptist Church.
I’m persuaded that this is a part of the “Eternal Mission” that God has called Willow Park Baptist Church to embrace at this time. We know that one day buildings will rot, replaced by a new heaven and new earth. Therefore, we are not just constructing a new campus, but we are rescuing lives, so that the world may know who Jesus is, “The Christ, the Son of the living God.”
-Pastor, Clark Bosher
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