Perhaps you have heard of a church that significantly impacts its community? I am here to tell you about Landmark Baptist Church. It is a place with a rich history. This church started as the First Missionary Baptist Church. Bill Edmonston founded it in November 1958.
Initially, the congregation met in the local VFW hall. God blessed their efforts. By July 1959, Landmark Baptist Church had its own building. At that time, there were 50 charter members.
Over the next decade, several pastors led the church. These included Jimmy Walker and Paul Crouch. Then, in 1967, Bill Edmonston returned. A new auditorium was completed the following year. In 1970, Pastor Edmonston felt called to a church in Tallahassee.
Mickey Carter became the pastor on December 23, 1970. His first official Sunday was January 3, 1971. Sunday school attendance that day was 37. Landmark Baptist Church began to grow under his leadership.
In the late summer of 1972, the church decided to start a Christian day school. Only weeks later, the school opened. It had about 30 students from kindergarten through 3rd grade. The classrooms were next to the main auditorium.
Attendance at Landmark Baptist Church grew almost weekly. A new auditorium was built in 1974. It was located on property next to the old one. The first Sunday in the new auditorium saw 706 people attend.
That same year, plans for a summer youth camp were announced. A member donated ten acres for this purpose. Pastor Carter and others cleared the land on New Year’s Day. The first camp session at “Camp Glory” was in August 1975. Landmark Baptist Church later bought 40 more acres. A church member paid off the note before it was due. The camp now covers 50 acres, northeast of the church. Junior Camp is for 2nd through 6th graders. Teen Camp is for 7th through 12th graders. Many young people have found faith there.
By the 1975-1976 school year, the Christian day school extended through 12th grade. The summer of 1976 brought two important events. First, land next to the auditorium became available. Second, the church raised $100000 in one day. This money was used to build a gymnasium and classrooms.
In 1979, First Missionary Baptist Church became Landmark Baptist Church. The name change came from Proverbs 22:28. The verse says not to remove the ancient landmark. Pastor Carter also felt led to start a college that year. It was dedicated to the church’s founding principles. The college was originally on the property east of the auditorium.
Also in 1979, Landmark Baptist Church started a senior citizen outreach program. Originally named Super Sixties, it became Senior Patriots. They met Saturdays for preaching, singing, and lunch. They also went on day trips. This ministry encouraged activity in their “golden years”.
The radio ministry began in 1971. It featured a 15-minute Q and A series. In 1973, Dr. Carter began broadcasting the morning worship service. In the early 80s, the station changed management. Landmark lost its airtime. Eventually, a member bought the station. They gave it to Landmark. On April 6, 1986, WLVF began broadcasting. It stood for “We’re Landmark’s Voice of Faith”.
Landmark Baptist Christian Retirement Village began in 1985. It is located on the west side of the church. It includes 78 homes and a chapel. Bible studies and special events are held there.
In 1987, the auditorium balcony was extended. This made room for the growing membership.
In 1989, a fellowship hall was added. It included a kitchen and cafeteria for the day school.
In 1990, the radio ministry added 90.3 FM. Gospel 90.3 became popular. The Spanish ministry, Iglesia Bautista Landmark, started in 1992. As attendance grew, the auditorium was enlarged again in 1996.
In 1997, Landmark Baptist College expanded. The Palm Crest Hotel in Haines City was renovated for use as a campus. The radio station’s studios moved there too. Since then, the college has acquired more buildings.
In August 2001, Gospel 90.3 began broadcasting worldwide online. This allowed winter residents to listen year-round. It also provided good music for missionaries.
On March 16, 2008, Landmark Baptist Church and School broke ground for a new gymnasium. It was named in honor of Rich Lemon. He was a graduate of the school and college. He also served on the church staff.
In 2021, Pastor Mickey Carter became Pastor Emeritus. He completed 50 years of service. Pastor Barry Parsons became the new pastor of Landmark Baptist Church. This church has come a long way.