The History of
Eastern Hills Baptist Church
(Formerly Central Baptist Church)
On June 5th, 1966, a group of 27 people, including Pastor Bob Harwell and his wife Shirley, from Garland, Texas founded Central Baptist Church. The congregation felt the necessity to start a God fearing, Bible believing, fundamental Church, to teach the Word of God to a generation of people that have no hope of eternal life without Jesus Christ. The first services were held in Council Bluffs, at the Seven Day Adventist Church. That same month, the members decided to purchase a building at 236 North 7th Street in Council Bluffs for their new Church home. In January, 1969, Pastor Harwell was called to pastor Capital City Baptist Church in Des Moines, Iowa.
At that time Central Baptist called Bro. Carl Whiteacre to pastor. Pastor Whiteacre and his wife Shirley moved from Porterville, California, where he pastored at Porterville Baptist Temple. One year later Pastor Whiteacre was called by God to Providence, Rhode Island, to start a new church.
On August 17th, 1971, just nine days after Pastor Whiteacre's resignation Pastor Charles W. Proud was offered the position of pastor. Pastor Proud, his wife Phyllis and children, Brenda, Connie and Becky moved to Council Bluffs from Cincinnati, Ohio where he was the associate pastor for Landmark Baptist Temple.
September, 1972, marked the date on which ground was broken at the sight of the new church home at McPherson and State Orchard Road. It was completed in April of 1973 and a new Sunday School addition was finished in 1974.
Having been called of God to another ministry Pastor Proud resigned the pulpit in early 1985. Shortly thereafter, Pastor Glen Eveland was extended the call by the church to pastor. Under his leadership another Sunday School wing was completed.
In 1997 Pastor Eveland retired from pastoral ministry, thus resigning the pulpit of Central Baptist. Before his final departure the church extended the pastoral position to Rick Cook. Pastor Cook, his wife, Debbie and their three children Jay, John and Jim relocated to Council Bluffs to assume the pulpit. During his tenure as pastor the church paid off the debt from the Sunday School wing built by Pastor Eveland and a new parsonage was built on church property. In October of 2005 the church voted to change its name to Eastern Hills Baptist Church. May 5, 2005 marked the opening of Hilltop Child Developement Center, a child care ministry of the church. In September of 2006 Pastor Cook felt led of the Lord to accept a pastorate in the state of Illinois.
On December 13, 2006 Pastor Seth Shipman was called as pastor. He and his wife, Sarah moved from Paris, TX and served their first Sunday on January 7, 2007. Since his arrival the church has seen steady growth in all the church services, the child-care ministry was expanded, a bus ministry was started, a community outreach ministry has begun, much of the building and property has been updated, and August of 2010 marked the opening of Eastern Hills Christian School. In addition the church has seen their World-Wide Missions program grow from $6,000 per year to over $36,000 allowing the church to support missionaries in several different countries around the world as well as assist in the starting of new churches throughout the United States. Pastor Seth Shipman resigned the pulpit July of 2011 after serving 4 1/2 years of a successful ministry.
In every era of Eastern Hills Baptist Church the same goals have prevailed; to preach the living truth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to reach our community for His cause, and to spread His good news throughout the world. We make no apology for strong preaching, sound doctrine and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.
