SANDSTONE HISTORY
End of Time
All members of Sandstone Drive will stand before the judgment seat of God to give account of their actions.
July, 2006
Over 30 from the Sandstone youth group travel to Mexico for 10 days to work with other congregations to build, teach, evangelize and help the local congregations and spread the gospel.
September, 2005
Sandstone hosts a "WE CARE" campaign with over 40 christians visiting Sandstone in their RVs (Religious Vehicles) to help us for two weeks while we knock doors and evangelize our local neighborhoods. Those along with over a hundred of the Sandstone family help knock over 1500 doors resulting in 39 baptisms! God always gives the increase!
June, 2003
Sandstone has a live VBS showing the biblical life story of Joseph. Many attend and several are involved as Sandstone is transformed into the days of Joseph as found in the book of Exodus.
March 31, 2002
After a complete year of rebuilding, the church meets once again in our new 18,000 sq/ft building on Easter Sunday! The Lord has taught us a valuable lesson that it is only a building. WE are the Lord's church!
March 13, 2001
Two of Sandstones youth (Eden and Daryl Steiner) left for New Guinea to work in the mission field.
March 7, 2001
Sandstone congregation is meeting at the Central Arkansas Christian campus at 53rd and University Avenue.
March 4, 2001
Sandstone congregation met at the campus of Southwest Christian Academy on Geyer Springs Road.
February 25 & 28, 2001
Sandstone congregation met at the U-Haul facilities on Chicot Road. This facility is managed by Sandstone members Joe and Barbara Fehr. On Sunday morning there were 268 in attendance and the Sunday night and Wednesday services had record attendances.
February 24, 2001
A F2 tornado destroyed the Sandstone Drive building but not the heart, spirit and soul of the congregation’s members.
Summer, 2000
Youth group held a Vacation Bible School in Canada.
Summers 1997, 1998 & 1999
Several members held Vacation Bible School in Jamaica.
January, 1999 - present
Dale Sheehy serves as Youth Minister. The congregation has always placed an emphasis on youth. Men who have served as youth ministers include: Richard McGough, Jerry Copeland, Oneal Tankersley, John White, Scott Smith, Mike White, Chuck Ball, Les Bradford and Dale Sheehy.
January 1996 - present
Mike Steiner serves as Evangelist.
July, 1989 - October, 1995
Ralph Weinhold served as Evangelist.
July, 1983 - 1989
Claude Lewis served as Evangelist.
January, 1983 - May, 1986
Gary Neal served as Evangelist.
1982
The church assumed responsibility of sponsoring Oneal and Betsy Tankersley in Kenya, East Africa. The church continues to be the sponsoring congregation for them and their work has been very successful. Sandstone continues to add to their mission works annually. Included in the missions works.
July, 1979 - April, 1983
Hank Tankersley served as Evangelist.
August, 1977 - March, 1979
Gary Neal served as Evangelist.
Spring, 1979
New Educational building was erected to the left of the auditorium.
October 5, 1975
Sandstone appointed its
first elders - Jim Easterling, Doyce Hall, Clary Welborn and Louis Windsor. Others serving
as elders throughout the years have been Bob Flowers, Jim Grobmyer and Claude Lewis.
Currently, Winfred Clowers and Clary Welborn serve as our Elders.
Through the years several men have served as deacons: Andy Arrington,
Lee Roy Bateman, Randy Dorsey, Bob Flowers, Ron Mathis, Dale Ridge, Dennis Anthony, Cliff
Pulliam, Paul Shepherd, Don White, Dwayne Blue, Randal Rhoades, John West, Terry Hastings,
Don Allison, Mark Abercrombie, Ray Bryan, Sonny Sears, Darrell Rollans and Brian Wallace.
The deacons for the congregation at the present are Mark Abercrombie, Andy Arrington,
Dwayne Blue, Randy Dorsey, Cliff Pulliam, Darrell Rollans, Sonny Sears and Brian Wallace.
Early, 1975
Remodeling / renovation of the old auditorium to convert it to classrooms was begun.
December 15, 1974
The first services in the new auditorium were conducted.
A very important part of Sandstone’s services is our praises to
God in singing. Over the years, we have had many men serve in this capacity - Danny
Griffin, Lee Roy Bateman, David Mullens, Jackie Free, Tim Rinehart, Keith Straughn and
currently serving very capably is Brian Wallace.
Summer, 1974
The Eastside congregation merged with Sandstone. These members were and continue
to be, a blessing
because of their love, devotion, faithfulness and friendliness. Among these were the
families of Don White, Dwayne Blue, Joe Robinson, Floy Free, Ray Wallace, Cliff Pulliam,
Ila Mae David, Nora Seats, Dale Ridge, Don Norman and many young-at-heart ladies no
longer with us in body – Annie Reynolds, Annie Baker, Ovie Hill, Eunice Carter,
Shirley Morgan, Hazel Norman.
Other long-time current members joining the Sandstone congregation
during this time period were the families of Sonny Sears, Jim Campbell, Jim Grobmyer,
Robert Elliott.
The church continued to grow until it outgrew its first building and a
new beautiful auditorium was begun.
Late, 1973 - Early, 1974
Many others joined the Sandstone group. Among these were Louis, Earlene, Lou Ann, Linda and Karen Windsor; Jim, Betty, Lisa and Jamie Easterling; Ron, Cindy, Brian and Danny Wallace; Billye Hill and Dorothy Hupp.
November, 1973
Sandstone Drive congregation hired its first fully-supported minister in Clary Welborn. With Brother Welborn was his family of his wife Ann and three children of Larry, Mary Ann and Deborah. With the coming of Brother Welborn and with the zeal of many members, many were baptized during the next few months.
Early, 1972
Regular Sunday morning
services were begun. The dream of many good people had become a reality. It wasn’t
long until the attendance outgrew the capacity of the Baseline building. Among those now
worshipping with the group were John, Ozella and Judy Brummett; Jack and Pat Standridge;
Don and Marlene Sartain; Doyce and Pat Hall and Florene Butler.
Two acres of land were purchased on Sandstone Drive. The construction
was begun and most of the work was done by the Christian themselves. This is now
remembered as a time of hard work, but a time filled with fellowship, joy and excitement.
March, 1971 - Early, 1972
The founding group continued to worship in their respective congregations but met in each other’s homes after the evening services. They continued to contribute to their respective congregations but began to contribute to a treasury that would later be used to purchase land for a house of worship in the Geyer Springs/Hilaro Springs area.
Late Summer, 1971
The families began to meet in the Baseline Home Demonstration Building on Sunday evenings. They continued until Early 1972, at which time regular Sunday morning worship services were begun. Children’s classes were held in the small kitchen, in members’ cars and in nearby homes of members.
March, 1971 - April, 1971
Two additional meetings were held. At the third meeting, the Upchurch Family (Lee, Ruby and Edwin) joined the group. Also joining the group in this time period was the Bateman Family of Lee Roy, Nina, Sonya and Julie.
March 19, 1971
First meeting of Sandstone Drive congregation was held. The meeting, called by Ed Mullens, Russell Roberson and Russell Ratliff, met in the home of Russell and Emma Roberson. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss plans for a place to worship between Baseline and Willow Springs Roads. Present were Jo Carter, Danny and Pat Griffin, Ed Mullens, Ronnie and Sue Roberson, Linda, Rhonda and Curtis Self; Russell, Vera, David, Becky and Mark Ratliff.
First Meeting of the Sandstone Drive
Church of Christ (March 19, 1971)