Our History

Hot Springs Baptist Church was charted and held its first worship on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1996 at the Caruth-Hale chapel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This church was established as a result of God's vision for a group of people. An Interim Leadership Team was established to lead the church until more permanent arrangements were developed.

The need for larger facilities prompted our church to meet on Sunday mornings at the Hot Springs Middle School throughout the spring. In June 1996, the church began to meet on Sunday mornings at the Lakeside High School and on Wednesday evenings at the Lake Valley Community Church. A temporary office was established at 1801 Central Avenue, Suite A, for housing staff and coordinating ministry activities.

In August 1996, Dr. Bill Steeger, Professor of Religion at Ouachita Baptist University, was called as our Interim Pastor. Dr. Steeger's compassion, experience, and kindred spirit with our congregation proved to be God's perfect vision for us as we began the overwhelming journey of establishing a new church in this community.

Hot Springs Baptist Church purchased real estate and began the process of planning a new facility at 144 Weston Road and, in 2000, purchased an additional 25 acres for future expansion possibilities. Our church is a caring fellowship of believers where members can exercise their spiritual gifts, ministering and contributing to the entire community. We believe that every person has been brought to this church by the Lord in order that the vision He has given this church may be fulfilled.

On June 14, 1998, the family of Hot Springs Baptist Church welcomed Dr. Craig Price as Senior Pastor and his family into our fellowship and into our hearts. Brother Craig, Dee, Shelley and Drew have blessed us beyond anything we could have imagined during their leadership at HSBC. In December 2004, Dr. Price felt God's calling to accept a position as Dean of Students at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana. It was at that time God blessed our church with the leadership of Rev. Gerald Taylor as our Interim Pastor. Brother Taylor's love and guidance helped us to stay focused and continue to move forward with God's work. In January of 2006, Rev. Taylor was bestowed the title of Pastor Emeritus of Hot Springs Baptist Church in honor of his service and dedication to God's leadership.

On January 15, 2006, Hot Springs Baptist Church called Rev. Manley Beasley, Jr. as our new Senior Pastor with his wife, Shirleen. We have been blessed by his leadership and are excited to see what God has in store as Pastor Manley guides and directs us.

At Hot Springs Baptist Church, the Bible is embraced as the inspired, infallible Word of God. Jesus Christ is proclaimed as the divine answer to the spiritual and eternal needs of mankind. The Holy Spirit leads our congregation in its vision and reveals man's need for a relationship with Jesus Christ for eternal life in Heaven. We welcome you to our fellowship of believers!