By Jessica Richardson
When asked what people should know about Rolla Bible Church, the overwhelming answer from its members is that Rolla Bible Church is committed to teaching God’s Word. In fact, the church’s beginnings were through a Bible study started in 1968. God’s Word lit the way then and continues to light the way 55 years later.
Early Church History: The Kammerer Years
Sometime before 1971, Dr. Paul Tinnin and Dan Dickman held Bible studies in their homes and over time that became the nucleus of Rolla Bible Church. This Bible study was made up of believers from various churches in the area. After a while, they were able to rent the previous home of Immanuel Lutheran Church, which was on the corner of 12th Street and Spring Avenue in Rolla. Rolla Bible Church was officially established there in 1971.
This new body of believers had requested help from the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) to first send guest speakers to minister to their little flock and then eventually to help Rolla Bible Church find a pastor who could minister to and lead them. They were put in contact with Jacob Carl Kammerer (known as J.C. or Brother Kammerer) and his wife Edna.
Brother Kammerer and his wife Edna were of retirement age, but both loved the Lord and had a heart for teaching God’s Word. Strong biblical teaching has always been a focal point for Rolla Bible Church, and this was and still is accomplished through expository preaching. This means going through the Bible book by book or verse by verse, rather than topic by topic. It provides a strong foundation for biblical understanding and clear interpretation of the Scriptures. After a while, Brother Kammerer requested the church find another pastor to replace him as he was getting up in years.
The Vanderwall Years
The church put their feelers out for a new pastor and contacted Dallas Theological Seminary. They were given Ray Vanderwall’s name. The church invited him to “come candidate.” After meeting Ray and talking with him, the elders extended an official invitation for Ray Vanderwall, his wife Ellen, and their children to come and pastor the church. The Vanderwall family arrived in Rolla at the end of August as Ray was to officially start as pastor of Rolla Bible Church on September 1, 1978.
Pastor Vanderwall and his wife Ellen had a heart for those around them and were involved in a number of ministries. One of those ministries was with the local college students. They connected well with Pastor Vanderwall because of his academic background and work as an engineer. They were also involved in local politics, the Ozark region of the IFCA, and Birthright of Rolla, a crisis pregnancy center, among other ministries.
In 2000, after nearly 25 years of ministry with Rolla Bible Church, the Vanderwalls felt it was time to move on due to medical needs of their extended family in the Seattle area. God had blessed them and the church with rich and lasting friendships.
The Stickler Years
Robert Stickler was on the board at Whispering Winds Bible Camp and had come to Rolla several times, so he was known by many members of Rolla Bible Church. Marion Shaub had let him know the church was looking for a pastor. The Sticklers also had a heart for working with young people.
The Youth Group and Bible-In-Me ministries grew and expanded into the community. Over the years, as the church continued to experience God’s blessings, they also experienced a new challenge. They had outgrown the old church building. God provided a new location for Rolla Bible Church and on March 1, 2009, the congregation moved to the new building at 1801 East 10th Street in Rolla.
In 2010, the Sticklers believed God was leading them to other ministry so they moved on. After they left, many wonderful people filled the pulpit on Sundays until the Busenitz family arrived in 2011.
The Busenitz Years (Current Years)
At the end of 2010, Alex Busenitz came as a new pastoral candidate to Rolla Bible Church. He and his wife Becca and their four kids were invited to come and serve as pastor at the beginning of 2011. One of Alex’s greatest strengths is his love for God’s Word. The Word is living and has the power to change lives. During the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about from 2020-2022, the congregation at Rolla Bible Church continued to grow spiritually as well as in number.
PLEASE download the file below for a fuller account of the church's history (and a bonus section), or purchase a print or Kindle copy of Rolla Bible Church: 1968-2023 on Amazon.
When asked what people should know about Rolla Bible Church, the overwhelming answer from its members is that Rolla Bible Church is committed to teaching God’s Word. In fact, the church’s beginnings were through a Bible study started in 1968. God’s Word lit the way then and continues to light the way 55 years later.
Early Church History: The Kammerer Years
Sometime before 1971, Dr. Paul Tinnin and Dan Dickman held Bible studies in their homes and over time that became the nucleus of Rolla Bible Church. This Bible study was made up of believers from various churches in the area. After a while, they were able to rent the previous home of Immanuel Lutheran Church, which was on the corner of 12th Street and Spring Avenue in Rolla. Rolla Bible Church was officially established there in 1971.
This new body of believers had requested help from the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) to first send guest speakers to minister to their little flock and then eventually to help Rolla Bible Church find a pastor who could minister to and lead them. They were put in contact with Jacob Carl Kammerer (known as J.C. or Brother Kammerer) and his wife Edna.
Brother Kammerer and his wife Edna were of retirement age, but both loved the Lord and had a heart for teaching God’s Word. Strong biblical teaching has always been a focal point for Rolla Bible Church, and this was and still is accomplished through expository preaching. This means going through the Bible book by book or verse by verse, rather than topic by topic. It provides a strong foundation for biblical understanding and clear interpretation of the Scriptures. After a while, Brother Kammerer requested the church find another pastor to replace him as he was getting up in years.
The Vanderwall Years
The church put their feelers out for a new pastor and contacted Dallas Theological Seminary. They were given Ray Vanderwall’s name. The church invited him to “come candidate.” After meeting Ray and talking with him, the elders extended an official invitation for Ray Vanderwall, his wife Ellen, and their children to come and pastor the church. The Vanderwall family arrived in Rolla at the end of August as Ray was to officially start as pastor of Rolla Bible Church on September 1, 1978.
Pastor Vanderwall and his wife Ellen had a heart for those around them and were involved in a number of ministries. One of those ministries was with the local college students. They connected well with Pastor Vanderwall because of his academic background and work as an engineer. They were also involved in local politics, the Ozark region of the IFCA, and Birthright of Rolla, a crisis pregnancy center, among other ministries.
In 2000, after nearly 25 years of ministry with Rolla Bible Church, the Vanderwalls felt it was time to move on due to medical needs of their extended family in the Seattle area. God had blessed them and the church with rich and lasting friendships.
The Stickler Years
Robert Stickler was on the board at Whispering Winds Bible Camp and had come to Rolla several times, so he was known by many members of Rolla Bible Church. Marion Shaub had let him know the church was looking for a pastor. The Sticklers also had a heart for working with young people.
The Youth Group and Bible-In-Me ministries grew and expanded into the community. Over the years, as the church continued to experience God’s blessings, they also experienced a new challenge. They had outgrown the old church building. God provided a new location for Rolla Bible Church and on March 1, 2009, the congregation moved to the new building at 1801 East 10th Street in Rolla.
In 2010, the Sticklers believed God was leading them to other ministry so they moved on. After they left, many wonderful people filled the pulpit on Sundays until the Busenitz family arrived in 2011.
The Busenitz Years (Current Years)
At the end of 2010, Alex Busenitz came as a new pastoral candidate to Rolla Bible Church. He and his wife Becca and their four kids were invited to come and serve as pastor at the beginning of 2011. One of Alex’s greatest strengths is his love for God’s Word. The Word is living and has the power to change lives. During the difficulties that the COVID-19 pandemic brought about from 2020-2022, the congregation at Rolla Bible Church continued to grow spiritually as well as in number.
PLEASE download the file below for a fuller account of the church's history (and a bonus section), or purchase a print or Kindle copy of Rolla Bible Church: 1968-2023 on Amazon.
Rolla Bible Church History (PDF File) | |
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