VALLEY DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY
Valley Drive Baptist Church, originally known as the Koehler Baptist Church was
organized in October 1932 in a home donated by Mr. Stegall. Rev. Albert Stone organized
the congregation and directed the building of Koehler Baptist Church in 1936. Rev. W. E.
Hardy continued the ministry until the Rev. Emory Wilson Callaway was ordained as Pastor
in October of 1938. The church continued to grow as souls were saved. Hundreds were
baptized in the Smith River. In 1969, the church moved from Koehler to Valley Drive,
located in the Rangely Community, west of Fieldale, VA and became Valley Drive Baptist
Church.
Rev. Callaway continued to minister until 1970 when he encountered health problems
leading to his home-going on February 22, 1977. During that time, the Rev. J. A. Eggleston
served as pastor and directed the construction of the present building. He continued to
pastor until March 31, 1975. Others served as intern pastors until September 1978.
Rev. Bobby Rakes, BS, M.Div., Th.M., assumed the pastorialship on December 10, 1978.
Pastor Rakes was saved October 23, 1954 at the Koehler Baptist Church and was baptized by
the late Rev. Callaway. Pastor Rakes left Fieldale in 1958 and went to William and Mary
College, graduating with a B. S. He then moved to Alexandria, VA and graduated from
Capital Bible Seminary with a M. Div. And Th. M. in 1971. He was the founder and Pastor of
Faith Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA for ten years before accepting the pastorate of his
home-town church.
The Lord has blessed Valley Drive Baptist Church and great things have been
accomplished for HIS glory. The church mortgage was paid in full on May 4, 1982. In
October 1983, the parking lot as paved and on May 30, 1986, the church purchased six lots
behind the church and a three story educational building was erected in October 1987. The
parking lot was also enlarged in October 1987. The Lord was most gracious in providing
money to pay for each project.
In June 1988, Brother Jerry Whitlow began to serve as Youth Pastor. Brother Frankie
Lane became Youth Pastor in 1994. Pastor Rakes has always had a warm place in his heart
for other young preachers going into the ministry, and the church was asked in 1993 to
co-sponsor several churches: Rev. Jerry Whitlow at Calvary Baptist Church in Patrick
Springs, VA; Rev. Cletus Lackey at New Life Baptist Church, Bassett, VA; Rev. Sonny Turner
at Community Baptist Church; Rev. Wayne Fulcher in Mallie, KY; and Rev. Rogers Bowyer, Jr.
In Conshocken, PA. The church also supports several missionaries around the world.
The ministry continues to expand under the leadership of Pastor Bobby Rakes and now
includes foreign and home missions, including prisons, nursing homes, camps, boys home,
etc. The church recently built a new sanctuary to seat 350 people. It
is our prayer that God will continue to use Valley Drive Baptist Church to reach hundreds
with the gospel of Jesus Christ. May she strive to have Godly men to lead this
congregation until Jesus comes.
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