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 In June 1970, E. Alan Cockrell founded the Bethel Baptist Church at 59th and Sterling. Pastor Cockrell’s desire and priority was revealed once in this statement, “Building a great church is not my intent, but building a great people is my commitment.” As the Lord began to “add to the church daily,” primarily through individual witness and discipleship, the attendance began to increase; from 22 in the first service in June, to 51 in July, to 70 in August, with a high of 103 in Sunday worship. The people were becoming acutely aware of what God wanted to do through those who were willing to let Him “live” through them. The church outgrew the first facility by March and moved to a new home on 47th Street in Kansas City.
In 1972, Tri-City Christian School began with 37 students, and what became known as the “Miracle Building” was built in 30 days. On May 6, 1973, Bethel Baptist Church became Tri-City Baptist Church to better reflect the community we were attempting to serve- Kansas City, Independence, and Raytown. Our day care ministry began in 1973.
Just a few months later, in February 1974, Tri-City Central was started in the inner city. In December of 1975, another new outreach began with Tri-City North in Kansas City, later to become Friendship Baptist Church and Eagle Heights Baptist Church, respectively.
By 1977, the need for a high school building was miraculously met with a facility on Blue Ridge Boulevard. Once again, we were reminded of God’s hand on this ministry as He worked in the hearts of the Kansas City School Board to allow us to purchase the much needed building. Additionally, God allowed us to raise $75,000 in one evening at a rally held at the high school. At the same time we recognized the need to expand our day care facility, so in September 1978, a new building was ready. Just one year later, in September of 1979, a branch elementary school began at Tri-City North. Growth in outreach continued into 1980, when Tri-City Northeast was founded in December.
In January 1982, after twelve years of service in the Kansas City area, Alan Cockrell resigned as the pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church. Twenty-two months later, on November 27, 1983, Carl Herbster was called to become the new pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church.
It took 2 years of searching and praying for God’s man before the congregation voted overwhelmingly to call Dr. Carl Herbster to pastor Tri-City Baptist Church. The people had asked God to let them know His will concerning a pastor, and He had answered their prayers. They had sought to apply Proverbs 3:5, 6 by trusting in Him and not just choosing a man. God had “directed their path.”
In June of 1984, Tri-City purchased 72+ acres of land on Selsa Road. Just one month later, in July, From Our Pastor’s Heart radio program began.
Tri-City Bible Institute was founded in September of 1985, which became Tri-City Bible College about a year later.
Excitement and anticipation was in the air as just four years later, a ground breaking service for the new church auditorium was held in June 1988.
Tri-City began to reach out to help start another ministry. In April of 1989, Tri-City West began in Olathe, Kansas. That ministry is now known as Countryside Baptist Church.
Barely five months later, Selsa Road was our new home. Now, Tri-City was expanding its vision to reach the cities of Blue Springs, Independence, and Lee’s Summit. One year later, in April of 1990, Northland Heights Baptist Church, located in North Kansas City, was founded.
OREMEX (now OREMUNDO) Ministries became a part of Tri-City Ministries in May of 1990. Since that time we have provided mission trips to Mexico for churches all over America. Its video school has been expanded to train hundreds of pastors and lay-workers over South and Central America.
In March of 1991, the radio ministry was expanded to include a weekly radio program known as Ask the Pastor on KMBZ, a local secular radio station in Kansas City.
In May of 1992, an exciting outreach ministry was added to Tri-City Ministries—our Little League Baseball program. This was a great way to reach families in our community as well as provide a wholesome environment for competition.
After many months of planning, hard work, and prayers, construction on the high school wing was completed. In the fall of 1992, Tri-City Christian High School was officially on the grounds with the church.
Probably our greatest surprise from the Lord came in May 1993, when the Bible Memory Association gave Tri-City Ministries their camp in Ringgold, Louisiana. We renamed it Southland Christian Camp and Conference Center in August 1993. The camp has opened up many ministry opportunities otherwise unattainable. Many lives have been, and will be, changed as a result of this outreach.
Tri-City Christian School had a “good” problem in the fall of 1993… not enough classrooms to house our Junior High and High School students at one facility. The decision was made to convert the Blue Ridge location to a Junior High. Not only did we alleviate our space problem, our Junior High students benefited by having their own school.
In the fall of 1995, Pastor Herbster’s vision of having a seminary to train young men for the ministry became a reality. The Heart of America Theological Seminary began in September of 1995.
On August 17, 1998, classes began at the Universidad Cristiana de las Americas, first Christian liberal arts college in Mexico. Approximately 50 young people were enrolled for the first year.
In April of 1999, we were excited to see another outreach of Tri-City begin with a new church in Liberty, Missouri. This congregation is now known as Liberty Hills Baptist Church.
July 16, 2000, we joyfully dedicated the newly completed gym/cafeteria complex to be used for God’s glory. The address of our ministry was changed to 4500 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, MO 64057.
In the spring of 2000 the Tri-City Children’s Ministries launched the Kids4Truth website. This award-winning website presents the ageless truths of scripture via the marvels of 21st century technology. From flash dynamations to FAQ’s to online resources, this ministry has spread the Gospel around the world. Kids4Truth became a separate ministry in 2004.
In August of 2002 Tri-City Urban Ministries began as an outgrowth of the Urban Basketball League and Teen Church. A multi-phase plan began that would take the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the suburbs to the inner-city so that more might have the opportunity to live the abundant life in Christ. Urban Life Ministries became a separate ministry in 2004.
In September 2002 Tri-City helped start a Romanian Bible college, the Colegiul Baptist Independent din Romania in Costei, Romania. With the vision and help of local missionaries this college continues our missionary philosophy of training nationals to reach their countries and people with the good news of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection!
In July of 2004 the church sold its development property to a businessman who wanted to give the development proceeds back to Tri-City to do mission projects around the world. The development on this project should start soon and has the potential to channel millions of dollars into the Lord’s work. Currently, both Southland and UCLA are looking at properties they would like to buy for expansion. Locally we are looking at property north of our ministry on which we could relocate our athletic fields when necessary. Of course there are more building projects ahead on the church property as we eliminate the annex and build classroom facilities for our preschool and elementary school. In the days ahead we look forward to using the resources God gives us to expand His ministry, locally and internationally.
In July 2005 Pastor Jan Milton moved to Kansas City and brought his ministry, Operation Renewed Hope (ORH) to Tri-City. He decided to base his ministry here in Kansas City so as to better reach the world with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through medical clinics, disaster relief, and church planting in remote areas of the world.
In the spring of 2007, Tri-City had the opportunity to take over a church building and start Faith Baptist Church of Raymore, Missouri. Missionary Derek Thomas came home from Lithuania to pastor the church plant. He had successfully started a church in Vilnius, Lithuania, and turned it over to a national pastor. The church became independent of Tri-City in the fall of 2008. This is the eighth church Tri-City has help start in the Kansas City area.
Sunday, November 23, 2008, Pastor and Debbie Herbster celebrated 25 years of ministry at Tri-City. Pastor’s entire family came on this special day to celebrate with their parents. Their three sons ministered in song and Mark preached a message on “A Man of Integrity” (Proverbs 20:6-7). The entire church was invited to a food and fellowship time in the gym on Sunday night and the Herbster’s oldest son Matt did a hilarious skit about his father. The church gave Pastor and Debbie a trip to follow the journeys of the Apostle Paul and John. We thank the Lord for the Herbsters’ faithfulness to their family, to our church, and to our God over the past 25 years.
In 2009 the Christian University of the Americas (UCLA) finished 10 years of successful operations. Graduates are now ministering in Mexico and many other Spanish-speaking countries of the world. UCLA also merged with OREMUNDO into one independent organization but under the authority of the missions committee of Tri-City Baptist Church. The new world-wide representative, Michael Lyons, is now promoting the University in the United States and all around the world.
In August 2009 an infant/toddler daycare was established at Tri-City to minister to families in our area who needed care for their children. This ministry was an instant success and has been helpful in giving new contacts to our church.
June 13, 2010, Tri-City Baptist Church celebrated its 40th anniversary as a church in the Kansas City area. A 40th anniversary multi-media presentation was shared with the church emphasizing the people who have been impacted by our church and the ministries that have been established by our church. Many former members came back to help us celebrate this special day. Statistics were shared on the 140 people who have left our church to go into full-time Christian ministry in the United States and around the world. Many letters were sent from these former members congratulating us on our 40 years of ministry. Pastor Herbster challenged us from the book of Philippians and encouraged us to “press on” (Philippians 3:14) to greater accomplishments for the Lord Jesus Christ in the days ahead.
In September 2010 a new children’s rally was added to our annual Teen Harvest Rally. Several boys and girls were saved and later baptized. Now we’re not only seeing teenagers reached with the Gospel through Harvest Rally, but children as well. The decision was made to continue both these ministries in the future but to move them to a date in October.
On June 5, 2011, Pastor Herbster announced to the church that he would like Tri-City to start looking for their new pastor since he would like to transition into other ministries sometime within the next five years. A pulpit committee was established and the church started their search for a new pastor.
As we reflect back on the many blessings God has given us over these 41 years. From the small building in Raytown to the beautiful, multi-purpose facility on Little Blue Parkway; from the original burden of reaching the community to the enlarged vision of world-wide evangelism; from the first single service to an exhaustive outreach of evangelism and edification . . . one thing has been true over the past 41 years, Tri-City Ministries is people–people caring for other people. We thank the Lord for a wonderful past and pray for His future direction. Tri-City is God’s ministry. Let’s follow our Lord’s admonition in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” as we enter a new era of our ministry.
In June 1970, E. Alan Cockrell founded the Bethel Baptist Church at 59th and Sterling. Pastor Cockrell’s desire and priority was revealed once in this statement, “Building a great church is not my intent, but building a great people is my commitment.” As the Lord began to “add to the church daily,” primarily through individual witness and discipleship, the attendance began to increase; from 22 in the first service in June, to 51 in July, to 70 in August, with a high of 103 in Sunday worship. The people were becoming acutely aware of what God wanted to do through those who were willing to let Him “live” through them. The church outgrew the first facility by March and moved to a new home on 47th Street in Kansas City.
In 1972, Tri-City Christian School began with 37 students, and what became known as the “Miracle Building” was built in 30 days. On May 6, 1973, Bethel Baptist Church became Tri-City Baptist Church to better reflect the community we were attempting to serve- Kansas City, Independence, and Raytown. Our day care ministry began in 1973.
Just a few months later, in February 1974, Tri-City Central was started in the inner city. In December of 1975, another new outreach began with Tri-City North in Kansas City, later to become Friendship Baptist Church and Eagle Heights Baptist Church, respectively.
By 1977, the need for a high school building was miraculously met with a facility on Blue Ridge Boulevard. Once again, we were reminded of God’s hand on this ministry as He worked in the hearts of the Kansas City School Board to allow us to purchase the much needed building. Additionally, God allowed us to raise $75,000 in one evening at a rally held at the high school. At the same time we recognized the need to expand our day care facility, so in September 1978, a new building was ready. Just one year later, in September of 1979, a branch elementary school began at Tri-City North. Growth in outreach continued into 1980, when Tri-City Northeast was founded in December.
In January 1982, after twelve years of service in the Kansas City area, Alan Cockrell resigned as the pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church. Twenty-two months later, on November 27, 1983, Carl Herbster was called to become the new pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church.
It took 2 years of searching and praying for God’s man before the congregation voted overwhelmingly to call Dr. Carl Herbster to pastor Tri-City Baptist Church. The people had asked God to let them know His will concerning a pastor, and He had answered their prayers. They had sought to apply Proverbs 3:5, 6 by trusting in Him and not just choosing a man. God had “directed their path.”
In June of 1984, Tri-City purchased 72+ acres of land on Selsa Road. Just one month later, in July, From Our Pastor’s Heart radio program began.
Tri-City Bible Institute was founded in September of 1985, which became Tri-City Bible College about a year later.
Excitement and anticipation was in the air as just four years later, a ground breaking service for the new church auditorium was held in June 1988.
Tri-City began to reach out to help start another ministry. In April of 1989, Tri-City West began in Olathe, Kansas. That ministry is now known as Countryside Baptist Church.
Barely five months later, Selsa Road was our new home. Now, Tri-City was expanding its vision to reach the cities of Blue Springs, Independence, and Lee’s Summit. One year later, in April of 1990, Northland Heights Baptist Church, located in North Kansas City, was founded.
OREMEX (now OREMUNDO) Ministries became a part of Tri-City Ministries in May of 1990. Since that time we have provided mission trips to Mexico for churches all over America. Its video school has been expanded to train hundreds of pastors and lay-workers over South and Central America.
In March of 1991, the radio ministry was expanded to include a weekly radio program known as Ask the Pastor on KMBZ, a local secular radio station in Kansas City.
In May of 1992, an exciting outreach ministry was added to Tri-City Ministries—our Little League Baseball program. This was a great way to reach families in our community as well as provide a wholesome environment for competition.
After many months of planning, hard work, and prayers, construction on the high school wing was completed. In the fall of 1992, Tri-City Christian High School was officially on the grounds with the church.
Probably our greatest surprise from the Lord came in May 1993, when the Bible Memory Association gave Tri-City Ministries their camp in Ringgold, Louisiana. We renamed it Southland Christian Camp and Conference Center in August 1993. The camp has opened up many ministry opportunities otherwise unattainable. Many lives have been, and will be, changed as a result of this outreach.
Tri-City Christian School had a “good” problem in the fall of 1993… not enough classrooms to house our Junior High and High School students at one facility. The decision was made to convert the Blue Ridge location to a Junior High. Not only did we alleviate our space problem, our Junior High students benefited by having their own school.
In the fall of 1995, Pastor Herbster’s vision of having a seminary to train young men for the ministry became a reality. The Heart of America Theological Seminary began in September of 1995.
On August 17, 1998, classes began at the Universidad Cristiana de las Americas, first Christian liberal arts college in Mexico. Approximately 50 young people were enrolled for the first year.
In April of 1999, we were excited to see another outreach of Tri-City begin with a new church in Liberty, Missouri. This congregation is now known as Liberty Hills Baptist Church.
July 16, 2000, we joyfully dedicated the newly completed gym/cafeteria complex to be used for God’s glory. The address of our ministry was changed to 4500 Little Blue Parkway, Independence, MO 64057.
In the spring of 2000 the Tri-City Children’s Ministries launched the Kids4Truth website. This award-winning website presents the ageless truths of scripture via the marvels of 21st century technology. From flash dynamations to FAQ’s to online resources, this ministry has spread the Gospel around the world. Kids4Truth became a separate ministry in 2004.
In August of 2002 Tri-City Urban Ministries began as an outgrowth of the Urban Basketball League and Teen Church. A multi-phase plan began that would take the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the suburbs to the inner-city so that more might have the opportunity to live the abundant life in Christ. Urban Life Ministries became a separate ministry in 2004.
In September 2002 Tri-City helped start a Romanian Bible college, the Colegiul Baptist Independent din Romania in Costei, Romania. With the vision and help of local missionaries this college continues our missionary philosophy of training nationals to reach their countries and people with the good news of Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection!
In July of 2004 the church sold its development property to a businessman who wanted to give the development proceeds back to Tri-City to do mission projects around the world. The development on this project should start soon and has the potential to channel millions of dollars into the Lord’s work. Currently, both Southland and UCLA are looking at properties they would like to buy for expansion. Locally we are looking at property north of our ministry on which we could relocate our athletic fields when necessary. Of course there are more building projects ahead on the church property as we eliminate the annex and build classroom facilities for our preschool and elementary school. In the days ahead we look forward to using the resources God gives us to expand His ministry, locally and internationally.
In July 2005 Pastor Jan Milton moved to Kansas City and brought his ministry, Operation Renewed Hope (ORH) to Tri-City. He decided to base his ministry here in Kansas City so as to better reach the world with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through medical clinics, disaster relief, and church planting in remote areas of the world.
In the spring of 2007, Tri-City had the opportunity to take over a church building and start Faith Baptist Church of Raymore, Missouri. Missionary Derek Thomas came home from Lithuania to pastor the church plant. He had successfully started a church in Vilnius, Lithuania, and turned it over to a national pastor. The church became independent of Tri-City in the fall of 2008. This is the eighth church Tri-City has help start in the Kansas City area.
Sunday, November 23, 2008, Pastor and Debbie Herbster celebrated 25 years of ministry at Tri-City. Pastor’s entire family came on this special day to celebrate with their parents. Their three sons ministered in song and Mark preached a message on “A Man of Integrity” (Proverbs 20:6-7). The entire church was invited to a food and fellowship time in the gym on Sunday night and the Herbster’s oldest son Matt did a hilarious skit about his father. The church gave Pastor and Debbie a trip to follow the journeys of the Apostle Paul and John. We thank the Lord for the Herbsters’ faithfulness to their family, to our church, and to our God over the past 25 years.
In 2009 the Christian University of the Americas (UCLA) finished 10 years of successful operations. Graduates are now ministering in Mexico and many other Spanish-speaking countries of the world. UCLA also merged with OREMUNDO into one independent organization but under the authority of the missions committee of Tri-City Baptist Church. The new world-wide representative, Michael Lyons, is now promoting the University in the United States and all around the world.
In August 2009 an infant/toddler daycare was established at Tri-City to minister to families in our area who needed care for their children. This ministry was an instant success and has been helpful in giving new contacts to our church.
June 13, 2010, Tri-City Baptist Church celebrated its 40th anniversary as a church in the Kansas City area. A 40th anniversary multi-media presentation was shared with the church emphasizing the people who have been impacted by our church and the ministries that have been established by our church. Many former members came back to help us celebrate this special day. Statistics were shared on the 140 people who have left our church to go into full-time Christian ministry in the United States and around the world. Many letters were sent from these former members congratulating us on our 40 years of ministry. Pastor Herbster challenged us from the book of Philippians and encouraged us to “press on” (Philippians 3:14) to greater accomplishments for the Lord Jesus Christ in the days ahead.
In September 2010 a new children’s rally was added to our annual Teen Harvest Rally. Several boys and girls were saved and later baptized. Now we’re not only seeing teenagers reached with the Gospel through Harvest Rally, but children as well. The decision was made to continue both these ministries in the future but to move them to a date in October.
On June 5, 2011, Pastor Herbster announced to the church that he would like Tri-City to start looking for their new pastor since he would like to transition into other ministries sometime within the next five years. A pulpit committee was established and the church started their search for a new pastor.
As we reflect back on the many blessings God has given us over these 41 years. From the small building in Raytown to the beautiful, multi-purpose facility on Little Blue Parkway; from the original burden of reaching the community to the enlarged vision of world-wide evangelism; from the first single service to an exhaustive outreach of evangelism and edification . . . one thing has been true over the past 41 years, Tri-City Ministries is people–people caring for other people. We thank the Lord for a wonderful past and pray for His future direction. Tri-City is God’s ministry. Let’s follow our Lord’s admonition in Matthew 5:16 to “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” as we enter a new era of our ministry.
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