Woodland Hills Baptist Church History
The Beginning
Woodland Hills Baptist Church has a rich Baptist church history that began as a mission from the First Baptist Church in Clute, Texas. The initial services were held on the second Sunday in September of 1969. A 19-member congregation gathered in a rented building at 2710 West Erwin Street, originally known as Tyler Independent Baptist Church. This was a dream-come-true for Pastor David Smith, who felt a strong calling to establish an Independent Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. On August 17, 1969, he resigned from the pastorate of the First Baptist Church in Clute, having shared his vision with the congregation and seeking their support in this home missionary endeavor. For around 15 months, Bro. Smith received financial support from over 15 sister churches across Texas and Oklahoma as he embarked on this new journey.
The Move and Name Change
On February 7, 1971, the church voted to purchase two acres of land at 3400 Old Jacksonville Hwy. as part of its Baptist church history and to sell bonds to support a building program. An all-inclusive church building was constructed on this newly-acquired property after the men of the congregation cleared the land, cutting down many trees and brush. During this time, the church decided on a new name, voting to call it "Woodland Hills Baptist Church" in Tyler, Texas. Bro. David Smith resigned on June 9, 1973, and the next pastor, Bro. Robert (Bobby) Parker, led Woodland Hills Baptist Church from July 1, 1973, until April 1982. He and his family made many personal sacrifices to keep the church alive.
From the Handful to the Harvest
Dr. Wiley Bennett began his journey as a pastor of Woodland Hills Baptist Church on May 16, 1982, facing a small congregation of only eight people. Through dedicated soul winning efforts, this Tyler Texas church began to prosper and support many missionaries. A small house was donated to the church, which served as Sunday School classrooms and is now utilized as housing for an associate pastor.
With the support of the congregation, a new educational building was constructed, featuring 8,000 square feet for offices, classrooms, a fellowship hall, and a kitchen. This important addition to the Baptist church history was dedicated on August 18, 1985. The original auditorium underwent remodeling and expansion in the same year. By 1990, a lobby connected the two buildings, further enhancing the church's facilities. In the early 2000s, the church purchased an adjacent house that has since been converted into a mission house, and today, Woodland Hills Baptist Church proudly owns four acres of land.
Our Ministries
Bro. Michael Shane Ogdie became pastor of Woodland Hills Baptist Church on August 8, 2008, after Dr. Wiley Bennett retired for health reasons. Right away, he focused on improving the church's facilities. The restrooms were remodeled, the upstairs of the educational building was completed, and the Christian school, Woodland Hills Baptist Christian Academy, was reestablished. As the church in Tyler, Texas, outgrew its sanctuary, walls of the Sunday School classrooms were torn down to expand the fellowship hall into a new, modern sanctuary that continues to serve the congregation today. A coffee shop was introduced to welcome visitors and create a comfortable atmosphere for meeting with the pastor. Bro. Ogdie resigned on November 17, 2024. On May 18, 2025, Woodland Hills Baptist Church voted to appoint the current youth pastor, Bro. Danny Reynolds, as interim pastor for one year. Then, on May 10, 2026, he was voted in as the long-term pastor. Bro. Reynolds aims to uphold the same old-fashioned principles established by his predecessors in this rich Baptist church history.