HAY VALLEY
Baptist Church
ABOUT US
not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25
WHO WE ARE
Hay Valley Baptist Church is committed to reaching and transforming people through Jesus Christ.
CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter in the covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
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We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love and to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort. We will promote its prosperity and spirituality. We engage to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines. We will also contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
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We also engage to maintain family and private devotions, to religiously educate our children and seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances. We will walk circumspectly in the Word, will be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and be exemplary in our deportment.
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We will abstain from the excess use of intoxicating drinks and beverages, the sale and use of pornography, the abusive use of drugs and will be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We will seek to avoid tattling, backbiting and excessive anger.
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We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress and cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech. We also will be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the commands of our Savior to secure it without delay.
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We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
CHURCH DOCTRINE
This church receives the scriptures (Holy Bible) as its authority of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth as contained therein is in essential accord with the belief of the Baptist churches as indicated in the Articles of Faith referred to in Article II.
CHURCH STRUCTURE & LEADERSHIP
The government of Hay Valley Baptist church is vested in the body of believers (members) who compose it. This church will be, and is always to be a sovereign, autonomous Baptist church, self- governing on all matters by a majority of the body of members who compose it. (Hay Valley Constitution, Article IV)
SERVICE DETAILS
Sunday school starts at 10:00AM followed by Sunday Services at 11:00AM. During the service we have a time for greeting, praying, singing, getting into the Holy Bible and making the commitment to follow Jesus publicly. Hay Valley provides a nursery for the real little ones and a children’s sermon during the morning service.
YOUTH ACTIVITIES & COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The members at Hay Valley Baptist Church believe strongly in raising their children in the way of the Lord, and place it at a high priority. Provided is a list of various events the children participate in and lead.
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Vacation Bible School – Late July Hay Valley hosts a Vacation Bible school. Youth from all over the area come to join in Bible study, recreation, and arts/craft.
Latham Springs Kidz Camp - HVBC youth have attended Latham Springs Kidz Camp over the last few summers. Students from 3rd to 6th grade attend as participants and older youth attend as Junior Sponsors.
Annual Christmas Program – The annual Christmas program is coordinated by the children’s Sunday school leaders. Plays range from traditional to musicals focusing on the birth of Jesus. Christmas caroling at the local nursing home and few other spots has become an annual tradition. The youth prepare gifts and bless many of the folks with a Christmas blessing.
CHURCH OUTREACH MISSIONS
Hospitality House - The Hospitality House is provided for out of town travelers visiting family members in the local prisons. HVBC supports the Hospitality House financially and every other month with dinner, small sermon, and fellowship. Volunteers are always welcome and needed.
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Texas Baptist Children’s Home - HVBC supports the Texas Baptist Children's Home year round. During Christmas the church adopts one of the cottages joining the cottage youth for their annual Christmas play / lunch in Round Rock. It’s always a blessing to spend time with the children and bless them with their Christmas wishes.
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Operation Christmas Child - Supplies are collected all year for Operation Christmas Child as part of the Samaritans Purse Ministry.
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Other Missions HVBC Supports Financially Include – Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, Baptist General Convention of Texas, and the Coryell Baptist Association
CHURCH ACTIVITIES
Hay Valley Baptist Church is very family oriented and as a congregation enjoy fellowship. We have been known to camp out at Lake Whitney, take a group to Skate Waco, have service outside for Memorial Day at the Coward Ranch, and watch a movie from the church pew.
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More regularly scheduled events include Wednesday night’s men’s and women’s Bible study, Mother’s and Father's Day Breakfast, Dinner on the Grounds for Thanksgiving, Christmas Program, Pinewood Derby Race, Easter Egg Hunt, Valentine Banquet, Float in the 4th of July Parade, and Back to School Swimming Party. Out of all the events the Fall Festival is probably the church favorite. As the seasons change and leaves began to turn the church hosts an annual community wide fall festival with games and biblical skits acted out along a hay ride.
As part of the history of Hay Valley Baptist church and continued today baptisms are performed in the Leon River a few miles down the road.
ABOUT GATESVILLE
Hay Valley Baptist church is located on State Highway 36 eight miles north of Gatesville. Gatesville is the County Seat for Coryell County with a beautiful Court House. We believe it to be the prettiest one in Texas. Gatesville is a beautiful place to live, work and play. It is a small town community with loving people; a 4A school district (Go Hornets) or a 2A school district (Go Eagles) in the same county just down the road 15 minutes in Jonesboro; family owned restaurants, feed stores, friendly banking; and on those weeks you want your suit jacket to have the extra edge, a great cleaners. Gatesville, Texas is centrally located approximately 30 miles from Waco, Temple, Killeen, Copperas Cove, Lampasas, and Hamilton. Gatesville has a number of Criminal Justice Prison Facilities making for great careers and mission opportunities. A City Recreation Center with an indoor pool, large weight room and two racket ball courts is located just up from the city rodeo arena and ball fields. Down town Gatesville you will find a large city pool and an outdoor free water splash park for the kids. Lots of Birthday Parties and basket lunches can be found most weekends at the two city parks Raby and Faunt Le Roy. Most of your personal shopping and entertainment can be done right here in Gatesville: Walmart, H- E-B, Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware, Bealls, Sears, Boys and Girls Club Resale Shop, The Ranch, Valet Cleaners, The Last Drive In Picture Show, a couple of dollar stores and much more! If you are on the move Gatesville is blessed with fast food restaurants. Coryell County and the City host annual events such as the Coryell County Youth Fair, Taste of Gatesville, Relay For Life, 4th of July Parade, Gatesville Riding Club Rodeo, Spurfest Festival, Halloween Boozaar, Food For Families, Christmas Light Parade and many other. For more information check out the Gatesville Chamber of Commerce for maps and updated city calendars of events.
CHURCH HISTORY
In the summer of 1891, the people of the Hay Valley community met to organize the Hay Valley Baptist Church. You may imagine our pioneers traveling the dusty or muddy trail to church in a buggy of wagon or walking across the pasture to the old school house church. Once there, they probably sat on wooden plank benches or quilts on the floor and huddled around a pot-belly stove for warmth. In summer, they sat under the old brush arbor during a revival watching the hanging coal oil lamps flicker and the sound of the wagon sheet flapping in the wind. One thing for sure, they were filled with the Holy Spirt and love for the Lord and laid the foundation for our faith and church home today.
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Hay Valley has been blessed with many great pastors and church leaders throughout the years. They allowed the Lord to use them in His service. We are grateful and thankful for each of them, both past and present.
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Hay Valley still follows the old time tradition of baptizing in the Leon River on the old Byrom Place. Walking down the steep embankment to the rock slab, and watching the pastor wade out into the cool waters of the Leon to baptize new Christians is a tradition that is very special to us and holds many memories.
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Over the years there have been many improvements and additional building added to Hay Valley Baptist Church, and we are proud of our legacy in serving the Lord and following His will. The church has been fortunate to have a faithful, supportive membership that, with God’s blessing, kept the church active for 125 years. (HVBC 100th Anniversary Book, Billy Byrom)
CHURCH CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I. NAME
This body shall be known as and operate under the corporate name of "Hay Valley Baptist Church.”
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ARTICLE II. ARTICLES OF FAITH
The Holy Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God and is the basis of our faith. This church accepts the "The Baptist Faith and Message" of 2000. The church is a committed body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ and is committed to personally sharing the good news of salvation to lost mankind. The church follows our Lord Jesus Christ in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper.
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ARTICLE III. CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter in the covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love and to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort. We will promote its prosperity and spirituality. We engage to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines. We will also contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions, to religiously educate our children and seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances. We will walk circumspectly in the Word, will be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements and be exemplary in our deportment.
We will abstain from the excess use of intoxicating drinks and beverages, the sale and use of pornography, the abusive use of drugs and will be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior. We will seek to avoid tattling, backbiting and excessive anger.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress and cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy of speech. We also will be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the commands of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word.
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ARTICLE IV. CHARACTER
The government of this church is vested in the body of believers (members) who compose it. This church will be, and is always to be a sovereign, autonomous Baptist church, self-governing on all matters by a majority of the body of members who compose it.
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ARTICLE V. DOCTRINE
This church receives the scriptures (Holy Bible) as its authority of faith and practice. Its understanding of Christian truth as contained therein is in essential accord with the belief of the Baptist churches as indicated in the Articles of Faith referred to in Article II.
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ARTICLE VI. MARRIAGE
We believe the word "marriage" means only a legal union between one innate man and one innate woman as husband and wife, and the word "spouse" refers only to a person of the opposite innate sex who is a husband or wife as Holy Scripture teaches. Marriages outside of these parameters will not be performed by church ministers.
CHURCH BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. MEMBERSHIP SECTION
1. GENERAL
This is a sovereign and democratic Baptist church under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The membership retains unto itself the right of exclusive self-government in all phases of the spiritual and temporal life of this church.
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The membership reserves the executive right to determine who shall be members of this church and the conditions of such membership.
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SECTION 2. CANDIDACY (QUALIFICATIONS)
Any person may offer himself/herself as a candidate for membership of this church. All such candidates shall be presented to the church at any regular worship service for membership in any of the following ways:
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By profession of faith and for baptism by immersion according the policies of this church.
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By promise of letter from another Baptist church.
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Upon statement of prior conversion experience through faith followed by baptism by immersion in a church of like faith. A church of like faith shall always be determined at the sole discretion of the Pastor and or Deacon Body.
Should there be any question that might require prayer, thought or study or if there is any dissent as to any candidate, such question or dissent shall be referred to the Pastor and Deacon Body for the making of a recommendation within thirty (30) days to the church.
The membership of this church shall consist of such persons as confess Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord and receives the scriptures (Holy Bible) as its authority of faith and practice and
(1) after due examination by the church as to their Christian experience, and if coming from other churches, the receipt of an acceptable letter of recommendation or satisfactory therefore, (2) have been accepted by affirmation of the church and have been baptized, (3) enter into this covenant.
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SECTION 3. DUTIES
Members are expected to be faithful and obedient in all areas of the Christian life, attend the services of this church, give regularly to its support, and participate in its ministries.
SECTION 4. RIGHTS
Members in good standing as defined in Sections 2 and 3 above may participate in the ministries of the church, vote in church conference, hold office and exercise leadership and service.
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SECTION 5. TERMINATION
Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:
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Death.
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Transfer to another Baptist church.
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Affiliation with a church of another denomination.
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Exclusion by action of the church. (Matthew 18:15-22)
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By request of member desiring termination.
All requests for recommendations as to the termination of a member under paragraph (4) shall first be brought to the attention of the Pastor who shall, after consideration of the matter, either himself or his duly appointed representative, confer with the individual subject to said termination and only after faithful efforts have been made to bring such member to repentance shall the Pastor recommend to the church that the membership of said person be terminated. The member subject to termination will be notified in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the recommendation that his/her membership be terminated. Such recommendation will be presented to the church at a church conference. Action to terminate will be taken upon an affirmative vote of the church in conference.
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All requests for membership termination shall be recorded in the church minutes and official church record as well as reported during a regular church conference by the church clerk.
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SECTION 6. RESTORATION
Any person whose membership has been terminated may be restored upon evidence of his/her repentance and reformation by recommendation of the Pastor and affirmative vote of the church.
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SECTION 7. RECORD OF MEMBERSHIP
A recording secretary, at the direction of the Church Clerk, shall keep an accurate roll of all members, and insofar as possible, an up-to-date record of addresses.
ARTICLE II. CHURCH ORGANIZATION SECTION
1. GENERAL
The Church is both a spiritual body and a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Texas. The Church is subject to the authority of Scripture in all matters and subject to the rules of duly constituted public authority (Romans 13:1-7). The church organization is to provide the mechanism for the orderly activity of the church body.
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SECTION 2. CHURCH MEETINGS
The Church shall meet in regular worship services each Sunday at such times and place as may be determined by the Pastor. Additionally, the Church may meet at such other dates and times as may be deemed appropriate by the Pastor for purpose of worship, edification and proclamation.
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The corporate Church shall meet in regularly scheduled or duly called church business meetings for the purpose of conducting the business of the Church. Duly Called Church business meetings must be held during one of the regular services of the church after it has been announced at any prior regular worship service. The purpose and time of the called business meeting must be stated at the time of announcement.
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The Moderator at the church conference shall be the Pastor or elected Deacon. If the church has no Pastor or in the event the Pastor is absent, the Chairman of the Board of Deacons, shall call the church to order. The moderator is to utilize "Robert's Rules of Order" for the purpose of conducting meetings.
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Any matter presented to the Church in conference for action shall require a majority vote of those in attendance. Members in attendance at a duly called or regular meeting of the Church in conference shall be deemed to constitute a legal quorum.
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An agenda will be provided on the day of each church conference.
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SECTION 3. PASTOR
The Pastor will be an ex officio on all church committees. The Pastor shall be responsible for the administration of the church, including general supervision of the policies of the church.
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SECTION 4. TRUSTEES
The Trustees of the Church shall consist of existing Deacons of the church and shall operate under the corporate name of "Hay Valley Baptist Church."
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The duties of the Trustees are:
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Shall be legal representatives of the Church and as such they are given authority to execute deeds, debentures, mortgages, liens, and other legal documents for the church, but shall have no authority or privileges to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, etc. any property of the Church without approval of the Church.
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Shall have supervision and maintain any deeds, bonds, insurance policies and important papers of the Church.
SECTION 5. OFFICERS
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Secretary/Church Clerk. The Secretary/Church Clerk shall keep minutes of all business meetings.
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Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be charged with the oversight of the financial affairs of the church and shall have the responsibility to recommend action concerning the church’s financial affairs to the Pastor and or Deacons. The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member, without vote, of the Finance and Budget committees.
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Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer positions may be elected by the church.
SECTION 6. DEACONS
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Functional Role: In accordance with the meaning of the word "deacon" as practiced in the New Testament, deacons are to be servants of the Church. The function of the deacon is to serve with the Pastor in performing the tasks of the Church of worshiping, proclaiming, educating and ministering.
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Number of Active Deacons in Service: The number of deacons shall be based on the needs of the Church.
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Deacons will be nominated by church membership, and then set aside for review by the Pastor, Deacon body, and Church. The Committee shall interview each selected nominee individually. All information about each nominee is confidential and shall not be discussed with anyone outside of the Committee except for the Pastor. The Committee must have unanimous affirmation of each interviewed nominee in order to be presented to the Pastor for approval. Once the Deacon Nominating Committee selects the candidates, the Church is given an opportunity to affirm the candidates when they are presented to the Church by the Pastor at an ordination service.
ARTICLE III. PASTOR
By virtue of his calling and office, the Pastor is the spiritual leader of the Church. He shall be elected for an indefinite period of time and may terminate his position with the Church by a notice of thirty days, or the Church may terminate his position by the same notice.
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In the event of a vacancy in the position of Pastor, a replacement or fill-in shall be considered by a Pulpit Committee elected by the Church in conference from nominations made from the floor for members in good standing willing to serve. This committee shall consider the scriptural qualifications of potential Pastors. After due consideration, the Pulpit Committee shall recommend a man to the Church for approval or disapproval by written ballot. Only one name will be considered at a time. Approval by at least a three-fourths (3/4) majority of those members present and voting represents the acknowledgement of God's calling of the Pastor.
The Pastor shall serve as the preacher and senior Bible teacher by virtue of his calling. The Pastor, or his designee, shall be considered an ex-officio member, without vote, of all committees as Church Moderator. The Pastor shall oversee the total ministry of the Church.
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The Pastor along with the Deacon Body is responsible for each Church Staff Member. Each Church Staff Member serves at the will of the church as describe in their job description. The church may hire, remove, replace, or realign Church Staff positions, as they deem necessary and appropriate upon recommendation from Pastor and Deacon Body.
ARTICLE IV. CHURCH MINISTRIES
The ministries of the Church are to be consistent with the Church Covenant and Articles of Faith. They are to be under the supervision of the Pastor, or his designated Church Staff member. In order for a ministry to be considered as a ministry of the Church it must be under the Scriptural authority of the Church so as to insure appropriate accountability, integrity, and management of such ministries.
ARTICLE V. GENERAL
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SECTION 1. LICENSING AND ORDINATION
Any person recommended by the Pastor having given evidence that he is called to the work of the ministry, may be licensed to preach. The Pastor shall possess the sole right to convene an Ordination Council to examine the qualifications of a candidate and, in turn, advise the Church as to the propriety of ordination. The final action to ordain such minister shall rest with the Church upon recommendation of the Pastor.
SECTION 2. MARRIAGE CEREMONY
We believe the word "marriage" means only a legal union between one innate man and one innate woman as husband and wife, and the word "spouse" refers only to a person of the opposite innate sex who is a husband or wife. Marriages outside of these parameters will not be performed by church ministers, other licensed ministers, ordained ministers or other legal authorities on church owned or rented property.
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SECTION 3. ADOPTION OF CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
This Constitution and the Bylaws, shall be considered adopted and will become effective the 12th day of July, 2015, upon affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members present at a church conference. The adoption shall affect a repeal of all previously adopted rules.
SECTION 4. FISCAL YEAR
The Church hereby adopts January through December as its fiscal year.
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SECTION 5. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution and Bylaws may be amended at any regular or called church conference by a two-third (2/3) majority vote of those members present and voting, by giving at least a ten day notice through the mailing of a notice of meeting to the membership or through an announcement during the regular Sunday morning worship service.
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A copy of this Constitution and Bylaws shall, at all times, be kept by the Church Clerk along with amendments to or revisions thereof. Up-to-date copies shall also be maintained in the church offices and made available to any church member upon request.
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SECTION 6. CHURCH PROPERTY
Church owned or rented property may only be used by church members or under the supervision of a church member in accordance with the Church Constitution and beliefs of this church. There will be no use of intoxicating drinks, beverages, or drugs on church property.