In the late forties and early fifties there arose a belief among some individuals in at least two churches, that the pastors and denominations were not teaching that the Bible was the very words of God, inerrant and the only rule of faith and practice.  There were questions about the virgin birth of Jesus, Christ’s death on the cross to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, miracles, old testament prophecy, the reliability and trustworthiness of the Scriptures, and the Resurrection.  In the USA Presbyterian Church this really came to be in the open in 1923 when these truths were questioned by the presentation of the Auburn Affirmation, and came to a head in our group in the late 1940’s.  These people finally felt they had to separate from unbelief, and they left their respective churches in 1951.  Rev. Wesley Smedes also left the United Presbyterian Church at this time.  Their first few meetings were held at the Alton West home at 302 West 30th Street.  The week after the first meeting, a number of the group who were desiring to begin a new church met and elected a committee to examine the options and begin organizing a new church.  This committee consisted of Duane Parker, Alton West, Theodore Morris, E. J. Graham, and Paul Jamison.  They secured a hall above what is now Klone’s Sporting Goods Store.  The group fixed it up and began meeting there.

     Early on, the committee realized that the Church was going to need a pastor of strong character and unwavering faith to succeed in this endeavor, so they called Rev. Smedes to return to Kearney and be the organizing pastor.  He accepted the position and moved here to begin his work in November 1951.

     In April 1952 the first congregational meeting was held and Elders were elected.

     The first Elders were Alton West, Ted Morris, Paul Jamison, Tom Sear, Dallas Henderson and Ray Reiter.

     In 1953 the opportunity arose to purchase the former EUB Church and manse at 2525 Avenue A. A drive was begun and the Lord moved in such a way that there were gifts and loans sufficient to purchase the property without any borrowing outside the membership.  These loans were able to be retired by the tenth anniversary of the church, in 1962.

     There was desire to follow the Biblical example and expand our ministry outside of our community so Abe Van Der Puy was invited to a series of meetings and as a result HCJB was selected as our first missionary support project.

     It seemed good to investigate affiliation with a denomination, and consideration was given to some who had graciously helped in the forming of the church and in 1956 our Church was accepted into the Rocky Mountain Presbytery of the Bible Presbyterian Church.

     After joining with the Bible Presbyterian Church Rev. Smedes resigned and helped to secure a pastor from that denomination.  The Rev. Nelson Malkus.  The Church has been faithfully served by these pastors and all that the Lord has sent to us to this day.  The pastors that have served here are as follows:



     In 1978 the congregation was challenged to purchase land with the view towards the construction of a new building.  Land was purchased on the corner of 39th Street and 22nd Avenue in August of 1979, and the first service in our new facility was in February 1985.  The indebtedness was retired in December of 1991.

     The Lord has rewarded the faith of our founders in mighty ways, people have met Christ, been helped to grow in God’s grace and knowledge, attended Covenant College, Covenant Seminary, Summer Missions Projects, Missions assignment at HCJB television, Sunday School teachers, Bible School teachers, Bible Study teachers, at Church and at their jobs and in the community at large as well as in our homes.

     It has not always been easy, but the Lord has used our efforts along with our shortcomings and mistakes to the growth of our character and common good. All the praise and thanks go ultimately to Him for He has done it all.