Harbor Baptist Church

History of Harbor Baptist Church

The Founding of Harbor Baptist Church

Harbor Baptist Church in Winchester Bay, Oregon had a very inauspicious beginning.

Though the exact events are a little fuzzy, some have said that back in 1966, there was no Conservative Baptist church in the Reedsport area, and, to remedy the situation, a few people began meeting with Dick and Lee Kelso in an upstairs room of the Reedsport Eagles Lodge. It was not long, though, before the fledgling group received permission from the Conservative Baptist denomination to plant a new church in the area. It was decided the founding pastor would be Dick Kelso (1966).

It was shortly after the church was established that they were made aware of an unused church building in Winchester Bay.

Winchester Bay Church Building

The building had originally been established as a church and the tiny port community itself had been granted legal ownership, and it was stipulated that the building would always be used as a church. It had been empty for a long time, was dilapidated, had fallen into disrepair, and was dirty. Not only this, but the building’s basement frequently flooded with the ebb and flow of the tides.

A deal was struck between the budding church group and the community leaders of Winchester Bay and the property was sold for an unspecified amount of money (reports differ still to this day). After gaining legal ownership of the property, it still took those involved a lot of time and hard work to get the property clean enough to start holding church services and Sunday school classes. It was due to the hard work of this initial group that Harbor Baptist Church was born.

A year after the church officially took possession of the building, Buddy Barnett (1966-1967) replaced Dick Kelso as pastor, remaining a year in his position. Gloria Moore Cave recalls that, at that time, her husband, Dick, had been an alcoholic. When on his way one day to the local bar, he stopped at Buddy’s house and knocked on the door. When the pastor answered, Gloria’s husband said, “I need help.” But Buddy replied, “No, you need Jesus.”

This interaction seemed to spark a great little revival in Winchester Bay in general and among a particular family more specifically. As the pastor and Gloria’s husband prayed, Dick was saved, and Gloria was saved the day after. The couple were in church the very next Sunday and Gloria’s father, Claude Moore, rededicated his life to God, and her mother was saved as well. Gloria also saw her two brothers, Jim and Bill Moore, and their wives, all saved and they all began attending Harbor Baptist Church. As Gloria put it, “It was a wonderful time we had! Lee and Ladonna Grenz, Allen and Edna Peck, Albert and Ruth Ingram….what an awesome group of God’s people. I have such fond memories of Harbor Baptist Church.”

One day in 1967, Bill Moore, after having transferred to Anchorage Alaska for work, received a letter from his mother. In that letter, Lois Moore explained how she, Bill’s father, and brother and his brother’s wife, Nora, and his sister, Gloria, and her husband Dick had all been saved. Bill was not a believer himself, but after being transferred back to the lower forty-eight, he went to the Oregon Coast on vacation to see what all the hoopla was about. When he arrived, he found his entire family attending Harbor Baptist and living much different lives than they used to live. During that week Bill and his brother Jim went out fishing and started talking their normal chatter. But, Jim also tried to talk to Bill about Jesus, and despite Bill’s protests, his brother would not stop. Not long into their finishing trip, their motor failed and the two of them spent a few hours rowing back to shore with a single oar, while Jim explained the gospel to Bill as a captive audience.

Jim also told his brother about this guy named Buddy Barnett who was the preacher of the church. Even though Bill acted as if he was uninterested, his brother just kept talking, and later, Bill would admit, during that conversation something began to happen to him. While it was happening, Bill had no idea that it was the Holy Spirit drawing him to the Lord.

The day before returning to Idaho, Bill went to church with his entire family. He couldn’t remember a single word the pastor had said during the service, but, as they stood for the last song (I Surrender All), Bill could feel a transformation happening within. Buddy gave the invitation for anyone to come forward who wanted to meet Jesus. Bill could not move, but he also couldn’t stand to stay there either. He ran down the aisle, knelt at the altar, and Albert Ingram came up beside him and led him through a saving prayer. Bill met with the pastor later that night, receiving a cram course in Christianity. He found out later that his entire family had been praying for him to be saved.

Bill left for Idaho shortly after but returned a few years later and started attending Harbor Baptist Church regularly.

Jack Smith

Jack Smith (1968-1980) became the next pastor of Harbor Baptist. During his twelve years in leadership at the church, they saw the body grow tremendously. A distinct ministry formed during those years focused on those in the community the church found itself in: fishermen, loggers, and drunks.

During this time Harbor Baptist also found herself sponsoring a South Vietnamese family that had fled after their country fell to North Vietnam. These were boat people and, after arriving in Reedsport, the church cared for them during their stay. Eventually, the family moved to Los Angeles to be closer to family, and Pastor Jack drove them in his car so he could be certain they got there safely.

Shortly after his twelfth year, Jack Smith heeded the call of a missionary and headed to Uganda where he still works today as a university professor, counselor, and lecturer.

Jim Terry

Jim Terry (1981-1988) became the next pastor at Harbor Baptist Church. Only five years later, Bob Blackman became a member of Harbor Baptist church, and, during his stay, he witnessed even greater growth for the church than previously. He stated they would often have to set out folding chairs in the center aisle to accommodate the crowds. There were also times, though, when the church seemed to be on the edge of emptiness and the remaining members wondered tragically why everyone had left. Bob was present for a total of six pastors during his 36 years attending the church: Jim Terry, Dennis Walsh, Eric Osborn, Dale Valovich, Bruce Kupfer, and lastly, Kyle Busenitz. Bob remarked that it was a miracle in and of itself that Harbor Baptist had only six pastors, given that Baptist pastors averaged about two years at any given church. During the times when Harbor Baptist had no pastors in the pulpit, he recalled how great a blessing it was to see the men of the church rise, stretch in their faith, and their walk, and give messages that they needed.

During these years, Harbor Baptist Church became a sending church to the mission field. Michelle Lancaster (now Finn) was moved to start a ministry in Beaverton, Oregon to help teenage and unwed mothers. Jordan Moore (now Lee) became a missionary parent to disabled orphans in Mexico. Matt Peck served as our worship leader and also on the board of directors for the Men’s Roundup. Jim and Marian Davis felt moved to become missionaries in Saskatchewan, Canada. Emily Davis served as a missionary to Japan and India. Kimberly Davis served in Peru. Bill Moldt became the associate pastor at Hauser Community Church, and Russ Stout served people by helping them overcome their addictions to drugs and alcohol. Four graduates from the Christian school that ran out of the church building (Danny Hassler, Matt Peck, David Moore, and Sarah Howeth) all served with Teen Missions in Jamaica, and Jordyn Peck went as a missionary to Honduras. Rani Taylor served as a summer missionary in Guatemala and Connie Howard served with YWAM in Hungary. Ron Colman, at his own expense, ministered in Africa, and then moved on to Vietnam, earning all his support as a fisherman during the tuna season in Newport, Oregon. Terry and Mary Newport served as missionaries to struggling churches in Romania, Tom and Marilyn Sauerwein served with Wycliffe in Mexico, and Duke and Clarice Crockett served with Mennonite Disaster Relief and FEMA, helping those who suffered through floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. We sent Dave Peck and Justin Kramer to represent us in Rwanda, and I cannot forget a score of church members who have sponsored children through the Africa New Life ministry.

Dennis Walsh

Dennis Walsh (1989-1999) took Jim Terry’s position in 1989. At the time, gas was selling for $1.11 a gallon in Reedsport (another world ago). During these years the church saw a wonderful family life. Every Wednesday they had prayer groups with potlucks, which was a great way to stay in touch with the needs of the church body. This period also saw major building renovations. Properties next door and across the street became available, so with some swapping of properties, Harbor Baptist moved slightly. Craftsmen for Christ also selected the church for its annual remodel project, and a busy period for the church ensued. A hole was excavated for the downstairs fellowship hall. Yards and yards of concrete were poured. Many hands were available to do the work. Retired construction foremen came to help decipher the plans that were drawn up by an out-of-town architect. The ladies of the church faithfully provided hot lunches for the workers. One blessing after another fell into place. After months of labor, while the Harbor Baptist Christian School functioned amid the clutter, dust, and noise, the building was finally completed.

On September 24, 2000, the new church facility was dedicated. Plus, new work began on the old, tiny kitchen which was enlarged. Updated appliances were installed to accommodate the Wednesday evening potluck dinners, and then the men decided to remove the sanctuary’s back wall to enlarge the seating area.

Eric and Amy Osborn

Eric Osborn (1999-2002) became pastor of Harbor Baptist Church in the summer of 1999. It was at the tail end of the construction project to enlarge the sanctuary and Eric stated that God always provided the funds and manpower, and both always came in on time. He stated that most churches declined during such projects, but Harbor Baptist continued to grow despite it. He reminisced that he was always so touched by the many acts of kindness and generosity he had experienced among those in fellowship there. He grew as a minister, preaching teaching, and singing, building many fond memories in the process. As he stated, “Harbor folk can be so unconventional and informal while still being conservative in theology. It is refreshing.”

Dale Valovich

Dale Valovich (2003-2008) became the pastor in 2003 and began what Dave Peck (current deacon) recalled as a tremendous teaching ministry. Patsy Skeels also recalled, “Pastor Dale, the ex-prison guard, who led us and fed us, who anointed my head with oil when I was in the throes of cancer and then was taken himself by the same terrible disease.” She also cited others at Harbor Baptist in a letter she wrote for the church’s 50th Anniversary, “Bob, the quiet, thoughtful student of Scripture, who survived the crashing of his dreams to inspire us all with his endurance; Annie, who told me, “Call me anytime. I’m not afraid to talk to anyone about cancer,” another taken from us far too soon; Gene, the talented violinist, whose voice was taken away, but his fingers were left to become his gift to us; Ardis, Gene’s wife, who kept us on key and on tempo for umpteen years, in spite of her painful ailments; Mary, whose creative talents abound and whose output of quilts, banners, flower arrangements, and other items does not end; Terry, who kept us singing and whose faithful service to the church is awesome; Doug, whose friendly hugs are super-encouraging; Edna, our stalwart, down-to-earth special friend; Anna, another who is gone now, but images of her remain – as she attended services faithfully into her 90’s; There are so many more encouragers–Joanne, Doreen, Angela, Lola, Peggy, Jeri, LaVerne, Annette, June, Linda, Tammy, Carrie…”

After Dales’ death from cancer in 2008, Harbor Baptist went without a pastor for two years until Bruce Kupfer (2010-2011) took the position. He remained only one year and then another two years without eldership was required of the local body until Kyle Busenitz (2013-present) and his family relocated from Langlois Oregon to take the helm of the ship and begin to steer.

Our Commitment Today

Through all its ups and downs, its plenty and its famines, through its sickness and its health, Harbor Baptist Church (which are the people, not the building) has remained strong and steady in the face of everything she was given.

We stand committed still to the call of Christ. We are proud of our heritage, our common faith, and the good works that God has predestined for us to walk in. If you feel as if God is calling you, please join us. For we are the family of God.