The Union Association of United Baptists was organized in 1866 when there were only three churches in Howell County. At the 1868 meeting, Mt. Pisgah reported 17 members, New Hope No. 2 32 members (they were apparently just a Sunday School, meeting once a month) and Howell Valley 44 members for a total of 83 members. There was a controversy at this meeting over two letters and two sets of messengers from Dial's Creek Baptist Church in Oregon County. Both groups claimed to be the messengers of the church. Letters from both groups were read and upon investigation it was learned the trouble in the church had originated over the pastor. The Association advised them to try to settle the matter among themselves, but if they failed, to call upon a Sister church for help. The church refused to follow the advice of the Association and withdrew their membership. Two other churches followed them and soon after, these three churches and three other newly constituted churches formed a new association and named it Bethel Association. As time progressed, it was made up mostly of Arkansas churches which had very limited financial resources with which to work.
In 1869 the Union Association discussed the subject of destitution, and two ministers, R.O. Tribble and Nathaniel (last name unknown) volunteered to visit all the churches and the destitute points in the Association during the next year, depending on financial support from their Brothers in Christ. While this showed a consecrated spirit on the part of these ministers, it did little in the way of developing a kindred spirit on the part of the churches.
The Union Association, in its original Articles of Faith, declared the Washing of the Saint's feet to be an ordinance of the gospel and should be continued until Christ's second coming. At its fifth annual meeting held at Mill Creek Church in Oregon County, the subject was discussed and the decision reached that foot-washing is an example, but not an ordinance. During this session of the Association, a district Sunday School Convention was organized. In 1870 the Association reported 18 churches located in Howell, Oregon, Shannon, Ozark and Douglas counties and a part of north Arkansas with a total of 586 members. In 1872, Elder W.A. Findley agreed to travel and preach to the destitute as an evangelist. Brother Findley became our first Associational missionary.
By 1877 the destitution was still alarming and ministers were unable to supply the destitute churches without financial aid. Most of the early Missouri preachers had no formal education and drew little if any salary. With churches dropping out in the 1870's for the lack of a pastor or to form other Associations, there was little if any growth. The total membership was staying between 500 and 600 members. However, in the 1880's the railroad brought many Baptists to the area. By 1885 the membership of the Association had grown to 2,285. Later on, the name of the Association was changed to Howell County Baptist Association, then later Howell Baptist Association and most recently to South Central Baptist Association.
During the 150 year history of this Association, the number of churches has fluctuated with the largest number at one time being 41 in 1888, and the smallest number being 13 in 1924. The annual meeting has been held at 45 different churches with 45 different people having served as moderator of the Association. Only five of these individuals served a total of 79 years with N.C. Epps having served the longest, that being 24 years. The other four were M.A. Widener 17 years, N. Barnett and Floyd Gentry having served 13 years each and D.W. Epley, 12 years.
Forty-four different individuals have also held the position of Associational Clerk. The five who have served the longest terms are F. Gilliam 17 years, Regina Wood 16 years, Leroy Morgan 10 years, Vivian Taylor 8 years, and Melba Webb 7 years for a total of 58 years. We don't know the total number of individuals who have served as the Director of Missions in the 150 year history of the Association. However, the four that we know who have served the longest are Joe Anderson 16 years, Bob Wood 16 years, John Pyles 11 years, and Dale Bruns 10 years for a total of 53 years.
The Lord has abundantly blessed this Association and its individual churches over the past 150 years. The total number of baptisms is 19,009. With the support of the Missouri Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention, the Association has trained a multitude of workers in the areas of WMU, G.A.'s, Acteens, Brotherhood, R.A.'s, Sunday School, Training Union now known as Discipleship Training, Vacation Bible School, Deacon Ministry, and Evangelism.
Only the Lord knows how many lives have been impacted through various ministries the Association has supported such as the Van Buren Children and Youth Camp, Children's Bible Drill, West Vue Nursing Home, Genesis Counseling Services, Disaster Relief, and many mission trips here in the U.S. as well as overseas. Also many individuals have been called into various ministries and their service in the Lord's kingdom has in the past, and continues to bless countless souls.
Thank the Lord for his many many blessings and for allowing the Association to serve in the work of His kingdom these past 150 years. May we remain faithful in His service until He returns.