HISTORY OF GOSPEL LIFE BAPTIST CHURCH
In April of 1990, a group of families meeting together were interested in starting a new church. At the same time, Pastor Daren Ritchey (then pastor of Cornerstone Baptist in Cumberland) also found himself burdened to see a church planted in the Keyser area. Through a combination of these two things and the church planting program at Liberty University, Victory Independent Baptist Church was formed. The first service was held on May 5, 1990.
Charter members included Dale & Shirley Taitt, Roy & Hazel Borror, John & Dorthy Sharps, Norris & Mary Ann Riggleman, Bud & Carol Smith, Alice McDonald, and Randall & Dianne Larry. Randall Larry was called to be the first pastor. Pastor Larry faithfully served as pastor for the next 20 years. Under his leadership, the church saw numerical growth, the establishment of discipleship ministries, and the construction of a permanent meeting place with parking and educational space. Pastor Larry resigned as the pastor on August, 17th of 2010.
In August of 2011, the church voted unanimously to call Jayson Byrd to be the second pastor of Victory. At that time the church was in significant financial debt and in decline physically and spiritually. By God’s grace through the expositional preaching of God’s word, the church began to be revitalized into a Gospel-driven ministry. To better reflect the church’s philosophy and communicate its mission to the community on February 19th, 2012 the church voted unanimously to change the name and replant as Gospel Life Baptist Church. During this time Gospel Life became debt-free. Consequently, many improvements were made to our facilities, including educational space and additional parking.
In the fall of 2014, the Lord called Pastor Jayson to minister in his hometown of Clarksburg, WV. During the same time, the Lord providentially introduced Gospel Life to Pastor Mike Wyatt. Mike shared Jayson’s vision for a Gospel-centered ministry. After an initial visit in September, Mike visited again as a formal pastoral candidate in October. On Sunday, October 12th, Gospel Life voted unanimously to call Mike as their next pastor.
In the summer of 2020, the Lord called Pastor Mike to minister in Ohio, serving at Greencastle Bible Church. Gospel Life went through an eighteen-month period of being without a pastor. During this time, from time to time, Daniel Sisler began filling the pulpit at Gospel Life. In God's providence, He began calling Daniel to leave campus ministry to serve as the pastor of Gospel Life. Daniel shares both Jayson's and Mike's vision for Gospel-centered ministry. On Sunday, November 7th, Gospel Life voted unanimously to call Daniel as their next pastor.
Charter members included Dale & Shirley Taitt, Roy & Hazel Borror, John & Dorthy Sharps, Norris & Mary Ann Riggleman, Bud & Carol Smith, Alice McDonald, and Randall & Dianne Larry. Randall Larry was called to be the first pastor. Pastor Larry faithfully served as pastor for the next 20 years. Under his leadership, the church saw numerical growth, the establishment of discipleship ministries, and the construction of a permanent meeting place with parking and educational space. Pastor Larry resigned as the pastor on August, 17th of 2010.
In August of 2011, the church voted unanimously to call Jayson Byrd to be the second pastor of Victory. At that time the church was in significant financial debt and in decline physically and spiritually. By God’s grace through the expositional preaching of God’s word, the church began to be revitalized into a Gospel-driven ministry. To better reflect the church’s philosophy and communicate its mission to the community on February 19th, 2012 the church voted unanimously to change the name and replant as Gospel Life Baptist Church. During this time Gospel Life became debt-free. Consequently, many improvements were made to our facilities, including educational space and additional parking.
In the fall of 2014, the Lord called Pastor Jayson to minister in his hometown of Clarksburg, WV. During the same time, the Lord providentially introduced Gospel Life to Pastor Mike Wyatt. Mike shared Jayson’s vision for a Gospel-centered ministry. After an initial visit in September, Mike visited again as a formal pastoral candidate in October. On Sunday, October 12th, Gospel Life voted unanimously to call Mike as their next pastor.
In the summer of 2020, the Lord called Pastor Mike to minister in Ohio, serving at Greencastle Bible Church. Gospel Life went through an eighteen-month period of being without a pastor. During this time, from time to time, Daniel Sisler began filling the pulpit at Gospel Life. In God's providence, He began calling Daniel to leave campus ministry to serve as the pastor of Gospel Life. Daniel shares both Jayson's and Mike's vision for Gospel-centered ministry. On Sunday, November 7th, Gospel Life voted unanimously to call Daniel as their next pastor.