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The church started with a small group of people from Dolan Springs who traveled 25-30 miles every Sunday to attend church in Chloride, AZ.In February of 1982, Brother David Owen of the Chloride Church started traveling to Dolan Springs once a week to teach a Bible class in the evening to this small group. The classes met in homes and the first meeting consisted of 9 people. For about 6 months the people continued to meet every week in homes.
The summer of 1982 a Children's Vacation Bible School was held in two neighboring homes. Preschool-6th graders attended. Averaging about 15 children a day. To end Vacation Bible School a family barbeque was held in the backyards for the children and their parents. A total of 62 people attended. Almost 1/3 the population of Dolan Springs at that time. The group grew in numbers and the homes became too small. They rented a building in the center of town to meet together. The first Sunday service 27 people attended.
This small group of people were deligent at visiting newcomers. They met together weekly to pray and again to visit the unchurched. In September of 1982, the director of Missions, Brother Walter Grindstaff met with this small group to help them organize into the Joshua Southern Baptist Mission. The Chloride Baptist Church agreed to sponsor the new Mission.
Brother David Owen became the first pastor of the Joshua Southern Baptist Mission. He served until March 1983. Reverend and Mrs Ray Heflin, Mission Service Corp volunteers to Arizona, arrived in Dolan Springs March 26, 1983. Reverend Heflin was appointed by the Home Mission Board to serve as pastor.
In December of 1983, the First Southern Baptist Church in Kingman, AZ took over the responsibility of sponsoring the Joshua Southern Baptist Mission.
When Pastor Heflin resigned December of 1983, the mission was served by a lay pastor from Lake Havasu City, AZ, Brother Curtis Holt. May 19, 1984 Brother Steely was called as as pastor. Things began to happen
December 15, 1985, discusssion began regarding the purchase of land for the purpose of building a church. An 8 acre parcel of land was leased for the purpose of building on. The land was graded, a water meter installed and a power pole put in place. Site preparations began for a permanent building. Twenty chairs and two tables were purchased for the Mission's use. Twenty-five Bibles were donated.
Easter week of 1987, a tent revival was held on the property. Despite the extreme winds, the service went on and some gave their lives to Jesus.
On October 11, 1987 Brother Steely was ordained a pastor at the First Southern Baptist Church in Kingman
A food pantry was established at the Mission
In June of 1988, a letter was sent to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cancelling the Missions land lease. A letter of reliquishiment was received from BLM cancelling the lease. Instead, The mission was able to purchase a home with 4 acres of land on the main road in town.
The home was remodeled and served as a parsonage for the pastor.In May of 1989 Pastor Steely resigned to accept a call to become pastor of a church in Yuma, AZ. Brother Al Dameske acted as interim pastor from June until November of 1989. He resigned due to poor health. July 1990, Brother Richard Meyer was called as pastor to the Mission. He resigned in January 1991 and moved to Las Vegas, NV. From February 1991 until May 1992 several supply pastors filled the pulpit. Brother Al Drake one of the supply pastors challenged the Mission to a building program to remodel the home as a church. In May of 1991 the mission started holding weekly church services in the remodeled building.
On May 1992 the Mission called Brother Floyd Riggs as supply pastor and on August 1 he became the Mission's regular pastor. In November, the Mission began remodeling the building by extending it 26 feet. A kitchen, preschool/nursery, two bathrooms, an office and foyer were added and a choir loft was built.In May 1993 the new church building was dedicated. Ed Eads from the First Baptist Church provided the plans for the remodeling. Arizona Volunteer Builders were a great help on this project. The Brotherhood of the First Baptist Church and the men and women of the mission all worked together to complete this project.
The mission continued to grow and a few years later became Dolan Springs Baptist Church.
Dolan Springs Baptist Church has continued to increase in numbers with many new ministries. Pastors have come and gone. Our current Pastor Daniel Klahn has been serving the Lord here since 2002.
15065 Pierce Ferry Road
P.O. Box 637
Dolan Springs, AZ 86441
Pastor Daniel Klahn (928) 767-3050
