Elders

Chad McMath

Chad began serving as the lead pastor of IBC in January 2021. Since 2007, he has served churches across Oklahoma and Missouri. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University and two-time graduate of Southern Seminary (M.Div., D.Min.). He and his wife, Emily, have three children. Chad is our regular Sunday morning preacher and also teaches an adult class on Wednesday nights. He loves music and the outdoors and has a passion for expositional preaching and facilitating meaningful fellowship among the church body.

Wadie Gerred

Wadie has been a member of IBC since 2014 and an elder since 2023. (Previously, he served as a deacon.) He has called Sallisaw home since 2014. Wadie currently works as a self-employed plumber and also as our Administrative Assistant. He is happily married to Leah and the father of one child. Wadie serves as a Wednesday night youth leader and also as an adult Sunday School teacher. He also leads mission trips to Mexico twice each year. He is passionate about evangelism, missions, and helping others.

DARYN CRAWFORD

Daryn has been a member of IBC since 2014 and an elder since 2023. (Previously, he served as a deacon.) Born and raised in Sallisaw, he has always been deeply invested in ministry, both volunteer and vocational. In 2015, Daryn co-founded Megaphone Pro Solutions, a digital marketing and IT company he continues to lead today. He is happily married to Heather, with whom he has two children. Daryn serves as a Wednesday night youth leader and also as an adult Sunday School teacher. He enjoys watching OU football, fishing, studying theology, and spending time with family.

DEACONS

CRAIG EUBANKS

Craig has been a member of IBC since 2012 and a deacon since 2023. He grew up in Louisiana where he avoided the heat, humidity, and mosquitos by staying mostly indoors studying, playing guitar, and working with electronics. He now works as a project manager for Aristocrat Gaming. He spends his free time with his wife, Lesley, and two daughters. At IBC, Craig leads the worship team, including a short study with them after practice on Sunday mornings. Craig is passionate about learning, growth, discipleship, process improvement, music, and electronics.

ERIK TORRES

Erik has been a member of IBC since 2021 and a deacon since 2023. He grew up in Sallisaw and now works in logistics and as a customer service coordinator. He is happily married to Morgan (who serves as our custodian) and is the father of three children with one on the way. Erik serves on our missions team and also in our children’s department on a rotation Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. He is passionate about evangelism, hiking, fishing, and admiring God’s creation in outdoor activities.  

JAMES KNAPP

James has been a member of IBC since 2008 and a deacon since 2023. He grew up in Sallisaw before making his way to Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque Iowa where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Bible and Theology and Educational Ministries. For his senior internship in 2015, he served at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, TX. James serves as an usher, offers our missions prayer on Sunday mornings, and helps lead the youth on Wednesday nights. He is passionate about God and His Word being preached.

OUR history

1939

Mrs. Lora Wagner came from Wichita, Kansas, as a missionary from Faith Baptist Church in 1939. The first mission services were held 3 1/2 miles southeast of Sallisaw, in private homes.

1941

In 1941 a mission was built on property given by Henry Burrows. Attendance at that time was about 40 in each service. Within a year, it had grown to nearly 100.

1959

The mission was organized into a church for five years, and then went back to a mission. It became a mission of First Baptist Church until 1959. It was then organized into Immanuel Baptist Church.

1965

In August, 1965, the church moved into a new church building in Sallisaw on South Elm Street. The church continued to grow over the next several years.

1978

In late 1978, a church building on Maple Street was purchased. After moving there, many new ministries began.

We soon ran out of space and added an addition to the rear of the church building. We then added Preschool and Kindergarten. A short time later, we purchased the buildings nearby for a Youth Department and more Children’s Church space.

1983

In July of 1983 the church purchased 21 acres on North Wheeler, and in August of 1985, we held dedication services with construction already on the way and moved into the new facility in February, 1987.

1987 and Beyond

Over the years, the Lord has truly blessed our church family. Many new ministries have been developed and used to His glory. Ministries and programs in the areas of Sunday School, Discipleship Training, Missions, Music, Youth, Single Adults, Senior Adults, Childrens, Preschoolers, Outreach, and many more continue to be a part of what God is doing through Immanuel.

Pastors of Immanuel Baptist Church from 1959 until now have been Hugh Harris, Franklin Carroll, O. J. Looper, Audra Martin, Mark Hall, Harold Mathena, Mike Ford, John H. Ewart, Ken Macken, Jason Helmbacher, Kevin Peterson, Greg Burnsed, and current pastor, Chad McMath.

what we believe

IMMANUEL BAPTIST CHURCH ADHERES TO THE 2000 BAPTIST FAITH & MESSAGE

YOU MAY CLICK HERE TO READ THE SUMMARY OF OUR FAITH.