It has been suggested that, “If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.” Applying this to Church of the Open Bible, we cannot divorce what God is currently doing in and through us from what He has done throughout the history of the church.
Beginnings & Growth: It all began over seventy-five years ago with a series of small prayer and evangelistic meetings held by Rev. Herbert Peeler and Evangelist Ed Ericsson. As the numbers began to grow, the consensus was that a church could be started and, in 1940, an empty store at 226 Central Avenue North in Swift Current was rented and recent graduates of Millar Memorial Bible Institute, Ed and Edna Ratzliff, were called to serve as the first pastors. A large open Bible placed in the store front window identified the church to passer-by and from that came the, “Church of the Open Bible”.
A Home of Our Own: In 1945, after receiving notice to vacate the storefront property, the growing congregation purchased a lot on the corner of Central Ave. and Herbert Street. The basement was used for services until the main level was completed. Pastor Ed Ratzliff finished shingling the roof on a snowy day just before Christmas, and the Christmas program was held in the newly finished, beautifully painted basement just a few days later. In 1949, Church of the Open Bible was accepted into the Associated Gospel Churches of Canada, a relationship that stands to the present day.
As is still true today, ministry at this church depends largely on lay leadership. During the time at the corner of Central and Herbert, a particular member of the congregation would arrive at the building between four and five in the morning on Sundays to light the furnace. Then, while the building was warming up, he would often use the time to finish preparing the Bible study he would later lead. This quiet mannered gentleman continued to serve God in our church in many ways behind the scenes until he, Graham Wotherspoon, was promoted to Glory in 2013.
A New Location: By June 1968, the congregation had outgrown the small building in which it met. The property was sold and the lot on the corner of 19th Avenue NE and Bell Street was purchased. The ground breaking ceremony took place on October 20th, 1968, and the new church was dedicated in June of 1969. The cornerstone bearing the words “Holding Forth the Word; Philippians 2:16”, was a gift from Warren’s Funeral home and is still situated in the outside wall on the front of the church building. This motto of the church in 1969 remains the main focus of our church today.
As the Lord continued to bless the ministry of this local church body, need for larger facilities arose. Additional property was purchased nearby to accommodate the extra parking and the building expansion—including a larger sanctuary, more classrooms, a gymnasium and a larger kitchen—was launched in July of 1982. At the dedication service on October 16th or 1983, Pastor David Pyke said, “We realize that this building is just a building. Christ’s church is made up of people. With this in mind, we have expanded our facilities to reach people for Christ and meet their spiritual needs.”
World Missions: From its very beginning, Church of the Open Bible has been a church with a heart for world missions, desiring to see lives changed worldwide for the glory of Jesus Christ. Throughout the seventy-five year history of the church, God has called many from this congregation to serve as missionaries, both full-time and on a short-term basis. We thank God for giving us the opportunity and privilege to send workers, to support workers, and to pray for workers He is using around the world.
Ministries: The church’s participation in radio ministry started in 1956, as CKSW began broadcasting in Swift Current. Other local churches participate on a rotating basis. Though there have been many changes to the technology and production, this ministry continues today, reaching people beyond the scope of our building with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In recent years, computer technology has allowed for the addition of an online presence as well, with the Sunday morning sermons being posted online and viewed each week by people far away from Swift Current.
Over the years God has led the leadership of our church to add a number of other ministries as well. Small group ministries have become a staple, prayer ministries, Sunday School classes, women’s ministries, and care ministries to name a few. The changing demographic of the city inspired a Filipino ministry to be added in 2011. God continues to raise up gifted men and women with hearts on fire to see His will done in and through this local body of believers.
It is encouraging to look back over the years and see where God has led the Church of the Open Bible. It’s with these events and others in the rearview mirror that we look forward with trust-filled anticipation, looking forward to seeing what God will do next. Please, join us in the coming chapters of the story God is writing through the people of Church of the Open Bible.