HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE, Ark. – Sunday was a day of celebration for members of Coronado Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village.
Following a homecoming service and a lunch catered by Riverside Grocery, church members held a note “shredding” celebration, recognizing their debt free status.
“We’re going to shred this mortgage for the glory of God,” Pastor Dennis Phelps said as charter members made their way to one of three shredders placed throughout the sanctuary. After the charter members, other members and all contributors were invited to join in the shredding. Multiple copies of the pages from the mortgage were located next to each shredder.
The church made its final payment on the $1.199 million mortgage that was negotiated four separate times over the years on Dec. 28, 2023.
Participants of the note “shredding” celebration included former Coronado Baptist Church Administrator Jerry Thompson, Balboa Baptist Church Deacon Allen Barnhardt, Bob Fielding of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention Missions Team, Barcelona Road Baptist Church Pastor Jon Stubblefield and Del Gann, current Coronado Baptist Church pastor of administration. Worship was led by Premier Sound. The message was delivered by former Coronado Baptist Church Pastor Greg Stanley. Others in attendance, as well as not in attendance, also provided words of celebration and encouragement.
According to the history on the church’s website, in November of 2005, 81 members of Balboa Baptist Church held the first service of Coronado Baptist Church as a mission of Balboa. Meetings were temporarily held in the Coronado Center. The mission was organized into a church in April of 2006. Johnny Ross served as interim pastor until Gene Washburne became pastor in January of 2007. Washburne served until March of 2013. Ken Barnard served as interim pastor until November 2013. He was followed by Stanley who served until 2020.
Coronado bought the 13 acres it currently sits on from Balboa Baptist Church for $10. The land was originally donated to Balboa Baptist Church by the John Cooper family.
“That was a very small down payment for what was to come as we began to look at the site preparation on these 13 acres,” Phelps said.
The church engaged Sowell & Russell of Conway, Arkansas, as architects and Cone Brothers of Conway as general contractor. Construction began in September of 2012 on the church building. It was completed in September of 2013.
Stanley rejoiced with the congregation in its debt free status and encouraged them to look to the future.
“Now is the time to seek the face and direction of the almighty God to see where and how He might lead. He blessed you with a great gift today with a liberty that a lot of people never know,” Stanley said while at the pulpit. “Now is no time to coast or to relax. … Now is the time to say, Lord, what’s next?”
Sunday’s homecoming and note burning services can be viewed on the church’s Facebook page.