My family joined FBC Killeen in the summer of 1963 after we moved from Gatesville. The Burch Family consisted of parents Elmer and Elsie and children Elsie, Esther, Mike and Matt. We became active members. Mom and Dad taught Sunday School and we attended Sunday evening services and Training Union. Wednesday nights were prayer meeting services. I grew up in the church and have many memories and recollections from 1963 until 2009 when my Dad passed on to glory.

I worked at FBC in the summer of 1972 after I graduated from high school. I was the part-time custodian with Jim Weatherford. During this time, Brother Onstead came to be our pastor. I learned a lot that summer about people and church work. Many people do not know or understand the amount of work and energy expended to keep a church functioning. One special remembrance: every morning at 10:00, everyone working was expected to stop and meet in the little workroom for coffee and prayer time. The secretaries, Margie Jean, Maybelle Stubblefield and Ruby Lee Wilson, would bring the rest of us up to date on who was sick, hospitalized, and needed prayer. I learned this time was not church gossip, but heartfelt prayer time.

I recall Ken Andress fondly. He loved the Lord and loved people. Pastor Ken had wonderful stories in his sermons and could tell them with a catch in his voice always at the right time. AND I have one about him! One evening when Brother Ken and I were talking in the back of the sanctuary, a couple of ladies came out of the ladies’ restroom and told him that it was time to fix up the restroom and get rid of that old bench. Ken listened and told them he would see about it. They left. Ken said that the bench had been in the red brick sanctuary. I told him that I would make a $25 contribution to the mission fund and haul the bench off. He said, “Deal!” So, I gave him $25 and we hauled it home. Now, it is an important piece of our family heritage.

Many of my memories involve the FBC music program. In 1970 we went on a youth choir tour led by David Anderson. We sang in Abilene and Canyon on the way to Glorieta, where we sang at the evening service one night. We sang at a church in Albuquerque on a Sunday evening. We visited Los Alamos and some Native American cliff dwellings and rode the tram up Sandia Peak in Albuquerque.

The next year we took our choir trip to Louisiana. We sang at a Christmas festival along the river in Natchitoches and slept on pews in a sanctuary in Leesville. I think Linda Anderson, David’s wife, was from Leesville.

I recall taking the church bus to the Cotton Bowl to see KHS in a playoff game (1971?) against Dallas Carter, I think. Long ride home.

Dave Anderson directed “What Price Freedom,” a patriotic musical we performed at church, for Channel 6 TV and prior to the Fort Hood Fireworks display on July 4.

Easter, April 1976: David Anderson had the choir singing several songs for worship service. Debra and I were supposed to sing a part in one but I had to do it alone because she was in Hillandale Hospital and had just given birth to Amy.

Charles Hardage was our next music minister. I remember Charles as fun although he took adult choir seriously. Charles encouraged choir members to do solos, duets, and small ensemble numbers. We always had a nice Christmas program. One Wednesday evening in the Fellowship Hall after the Wednesday meal, Charles sat down at the piano and began playing some hymns. He stopped, came to where we were sitting, picked Amy up and sat her on the piano and let her sing “Jesus Loves Me.” Amy must have been three or four years old at the time.

My memories of choir with George Koehl are fond, as well. Big Christmas cantatas. Joining with the Methodist Choir for “The Messiah” performances. Outstanding musicals – adult (Bind Us Together), youth (Friends), and children’s (Hur, the Handholder). But especially the Easter pageants. The rehearsals, costumes, orchestra, live animals, solos by Janice Frazier, Paula Lohse, Duke Robnett, Danny Quintanilla, Brad Bush, Jimmy Myers, and others. Andy Greer usually portrayed Jesus. I was a disciple. Debra was the lady healed. Jan Hallmark was the lady who washed Jesus’ feet and used her hair to dry them. Our son, David, was, at one time or another, one of the children turned away, Jesus in the temple at age 12, Lazarus coming out of the tomb. Amy played flute in the orchestra. A real family activity! Easter Pageant was always a highlight because it told the story of Jesus.

In 1985, the deacons voted to recognize Ken’s fifth anniversary by sending Brother Ken and Mrs. Betty on a preaching mission trip which Ken opened to anyone who wanted to go and could pay their own way. The destination was Armidale, Australia. Debra and I took out a loan from the teacher credit union to pay for our trip. Martha and Richard Surface went as well as a young pilot, Andy Kennedy. 25 years later I learned that Andy Kennedy and his wife had spent many years on the mission field in South America. At one of our pre-trip meetings, Brother Ken stated that a mission trip would change your life. So true! I learned that missions involve everyone who wishes to be involved. I learned that I am not a preacher. I learned that ordinary people can be missionaries. I learned to not be afraid of foreign missions. I learned that God will provide the means if we are willing to say “Here am I, Lord, send me.”

That trip started our family on a journey of missions which have continued to this day, as Amelia, Amy’s oldest daughter, has been to Peru twice, and Candice, David’s youngest daughter, currently serves as a counselor at a Christian camp in Michigan. Members of our family have participated in mission endeavors in Brazil, China, Ukraine, Kenya, China, South Africa, and Peru as well as mission efforts in various locations in the USA, from South Texas to Alaska.

Other mission trips we participated in were youth mission trips led by Jimmy Myers and George Koehl. I was able to participate as an adult sponsor. Our youth sang and ministered in Rio Grande de Sol in south Brazil and in Ukraine helping to build a church. Amy and David went and worked in Peru in 1976.

Wednesday night meals at church were opportunities for great food and fellowship. Mrs. Nellie Birkenholz led the meal team with able help from her husband, Dick. KISD cafeteria ladies Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Bessard helped prepare delicious meals for our church family. Chicken fried steak was our favorite, but all the meals were good.

At the RA campout when David was young at Alton Kenon’s ranch east of town, Brad Bush caught a nice bass and Jon Boyd taught the boys the “pull my finger” trick. Debra was not amused when David returned with that stunt.

One time on a ladies’ retreat to Highland Lakes the van stopped at a small convenience store for a Coke break. Debra decided to remain in the van. The other ladies returned all excited and laughing; they had met Willie Nelson inside! And Debra missed out.

So many blessings to the Burch Family as a result of our time worshipping our Lord with First Baptist Church Killeen. Cherished memories, wonderful experiences, great friends!