History

Brief History

Sunset Baptist Church was founded as a mission church of First Baptist Killeen in the Fall of 1954. The first service was held on October 17, 1954 at the Avenue D Elementary School. Sunset Baptist was officially organized on April 22, 1956 with 23 members. From 1956-57 the church was able to purchase the land the church currently sits on. The current sanctuary was completed in the early 1960's and has been the main gathering space for corporate worship ever since.

History of the Name

There is no theological significance to the name Sunset or New Sunset. Sunset Acres was the name of the neighborhood when the church was established. Thus, the name made sense. Sunset Baptist became New Sunset Baptist Church in 2004 and a year later, in 2005, was changed to New Sunset Community Church.

Pastors

Homer Alexander Fall 1954-June 1955

Bobby Ellis June 1955-January 1957

Marvin Kemp February 1957-June 1958

U.S. Lucky June 1958-September 1959 (First Full Time Pastor)

Alnie E. Skipper December 1959-December 1961

Amos L. Bone February 1962-March 1963

N.B. Moon March 1963-June 1963 (Interim)

Robert B. Mathis June 1963-June 1966

N.B. Moon June 1966-August 1966 (Interim)

Walter Cowling August 1966-July 1968

Earnest L. Deaver September 1968-July 1971

Leonard Burton August 1971-July 1983

Art Sinclair July 1983-November 1983

Tony Garcia December 1983-November 1986

Gary Tompkins November 1986-January 1988

Charles Wolcott January 1988-1996

Chris Kuton August 1996-1998 (Interim)

John Duke 1998-2001

Phil Sibley August 2001-July 2002

Duane Redding Fall 2002-December 2003 (Interim)

George Robertson January 2004-February 2005

Duane Redding March 2005-August 2005 (Interim)

James Delgado August 2005-December 2005

Duane Redding January 2006-April 2009 (Interim and Pastor)

Ed Talley May 2009-August 2021

Les Williams September 2021-Present