BST's Blog

Forgive me--for this might be a long one.

I wanted to post the text from a brochure I did for Otter Creek. We're handing it out today. We're beginning our final week in this home. Today we have services, classes and a huge pot luck afterwards (where we'll put everyone, I have no clue). Next week we are basically moved out but will meet in the sanctuary one last time--adults, kids, babies and all. Thank you for your prayers this week as we move. It's going to be crazy, but fun!!

Recently, Carolyn Maddux handed me a flier entitled “Otter Creek News” dated January 1975. In it were lovely pictures of the youth directors, Steve and Jeanine Adams (Steve now serves as an elder here and Jeanine leads our women’s ministry), Clarence and Jane Shaub, John and Ruth Rucker, Buddy Arnold (the worship leader) and all the elders serving at that time. There were headlines throughout the brochure with titles like “Otter Creek Youth: On The Go For Christ”, “Do the Huge Crowds Make You Wonder?”, and “Your Invitation (to become a part of the OC family).”

One article states, “At Otter Creek you will find friendship, worship, study, challenge, excitement, and opportunity.” I was struck at the similarities between 1975 and 2006. Otter Creek is still that kind of place today.

John Rucker wrote a nice article about the history of Otter Creek that was also included in this newsletter. I want to borrow from pieces of his writing in order to capture this moment in time. It’s important for all of us to know our heritage—whether you’ve been at OC for 60 years or only 3 months.

The first worship service of the Otter Creek Congregation was held in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Campbell on Otter Creek Road in 1929. There were 28 present, mostly children. Snow was on the ground and many of the children had to walk all or most of the way to the service. Leonard Johnson preached his first sermon for that first Sunday service. Most of the children had never been to Church or Sunday school before, for there was no other Church in the community.

During the summer months of 1930, Hall L. Calhoun held a meeting under a tent located about a stone’s throw from the present building (erected in 1949). There were 42 people added to the church during this meeting. After the meeting, services were held in the Campbell’s front yard and continued at their home for the next 14 months.

In 1930 David Lipscomb College, having built two new dormitories decided to remove the original home of David Lipscomb which had been changed into a dormitory and dining hall. The building was torn down and the material was given to the “cause” at Otter Creek.

In the spring of 1930 work was started on a building that would sit on some property donated by Fletcher Williams directly across the road from the Campbell’s home. All the work was done by those directly interested in the cause and by friends who wanted to assist in the work. All the work was done free of charge. The only cash expenditure on the building was for hardware, roofing, and many small items necessary for the construction of the building.

The building was completed in the Fall of 1930. The first service was held with H. Leo Boles preaching the first sermon. There were about 60 people in attendance.

The first elders of the Otter Creek congregation were George W. Lewis, Fletcher L. Williams, and Andrew Mayche. Geo. W. Kieffer and John E. Rucker (the father of our own John Rucker!) were appointed elders in 1936.

Early preachers were S. C. Boyce, Chester Hunnicutt, L. L. Yeagly, Roseau Cullum, J, R. Stroop, and others from the College, Hillsboro, and Belmont congregations. The first regular minister was L. Haven Miller who started to work with the congregation in 1944 and continued until July 1946. J. W. Brents began preaching in 1946 and worked with Otter Creek for the next six years or so.

After World War II the Otter Creek congregation began to deal with considerable growth and felt compelled to make plans for a new building. The one built in 1930 was completely filled and overflowing. The church decided to purchase the Granny White/ Otter Creek Road site in 1949 and build a building that would be considered adequate for years of growth. The new building was completed on January 1, 1950. The two doors that were in the front of the auditorium were in the original home of David Lipscomb built in about 1872.

Later more Bible class rooms were added. Additional land and the “cottage” were purchased in 1960. Also, that same year, the Otter Creek Kindergarten got its start under the direction of Ruth Rucker. They began with 10 students. Today, the Otter Creek Kindergarten and Pre-School are well known for excellence and are filled to overflowing. As the Otter Creek congregation grew, the new Bible School addition was completed in 1968.

The facility did provide Otter Creek with many years of adequate room. However, as was seen in years past, space soon became an issue. Many people remember sitting on the window sills on Wednesday nights just to participate with Buddy Arnold in heart-stirring worship. The place was packed. By 1983 it became evident that something must be done.

In the mid 80’s Otter Creek launched into a remodeling process. While the auditorium was undergoing construction, the church crammed into the fellowship hall. Soon, the sanctuary was complete. That first day, Buddy Arnold led “We’re Marching to Zion” as the members walked into the sanctuary for the first time. It was a day no one would forget.

Since that day there have been a few improvements here and there but no major remodeling or space added except for the addition of the portables 5 or 6 years ago. As we have experienced over the decades, space became an issue again. When attempts to build on at our current site failed because of land restrictions, the leadership began to search for land. There were talks of land open on Old Hickory Blvd. across from Maryland Farms, there was the land next door to the Korean Presbyterian Church on Franklin Road and then, most recently, the land at Concord Road and Franklin Rd.

In the fall of 2005, a new opportunity came into view. The Living Word church building (formerly Brentwood Baptist) at 409 Franklin Road became a possibility. After prayerfully considering the location, space, and parking capacity, the Otter Creek church once again decided to move this family so that we can have adequate space for the next generation and beyond.

We stand on the shoulders of brave men and women who have made sacrifices and faithfully moved forward in order to reach more people. These men and women have taught us over the generations to trust God in these times. We are here today because of their investment and God’s faithfulness.

Over the years there have been many who have served this congregation faithfully as elders including, George W. Lewis, Fletcher L. Williams, Andrew Mayche, Geo. W. Kieffer, John E. Rucker, Charles Armstrong, Clarence Shaub, Kennedy Green, Howard Hackney, Frank Maddux, John W. Rucker, Buddy Arnold, Thas W. Rogers, Howard Justiss, Fred Hall, Frank Gower, Ira Travis, Everett Beasley, Doyle Gaw, Charlie Brandon, Larry Wilson, Clark Buchi, …

There have been women in our family who have shown us the Father—women like Mrs. Campbell who began her experience with Otter Creek in 1929 and continued to serve this church for decades after. Ruth Rucker taught us to be fearless and to take risks as she opened the Otter Creek Kindergarten and Pre-School program in 1960. Virginia Karnes has been a quiet source of strength for years. She was instrumental in getting the Kindergarten started. She is still one of the most joy-filled worshippers at Otter Creek. Sandra Collins has brought the Word to life for many in this church and followed her dream by helping start the Wayne Reed Daycare Center in the late 1990’s. Janet Crothers and Melani Brown have brought their joy and expertise to our children’s ministry. And the list goes on!

We celebrate the men who have faithfully preached the Word at Otter Creek in times of trouble or peace. These men include L. Haven Miller, J. Ridley Stroop, JW Brents, Ed Cullom, Willie Cato, T. Coy Porter, John McRae, Carroll Ellis, Tommy Donald, Perry Cothom, Russ Corley, Bobby Harrington and Tim Woodroof.

We celebrate others who have taken the Word to the streets and the hearts of those who need Christ…men like Howard Justiss who had a dream to begin Agape which now serves thousands of families, women like Deby Samuels who helped to start the Room in the Inn program for Nashville and Matt and Emily Little who’ve kept that dream alive most recently. We’re thankful for Corky French who served as Chaplain for the Williamson County Sherriff’s department, and all those who’ve helped to make the Wayne Reed Christian Childcare Center a growing and vibrant point of light in inner-city Nashville.

We move into a new era now. The parking lots are full, the building is crowded, the nurseries are overflowing and it seems a lot like times past. As we move we carry with us the hopes and dreams of men and women from those early meetings in 1929. We want to see the world come to Jesus. We want to lift Him up and we want to be faithful to Him as we forge ahead. One day, this history will be added to again. What a joy to consider those who will join us along the way! May God bless us as we continue to walk with Jesus.