OUR Staff

Chad McMath - Pastor

Chad began serving as pastor at IBC in January of 2021. Born and raised in Borger, TX, he was saved at a young age and then years later began to sense a call to ministry. Over the past 15 years, he has served churches in both Oklahoma and Missouri. Chad has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Oklahoma Baptist University as well as a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He loves to study and preach the Word for the glory of God and the building up of His church. He has been married to Emily since 2007. Together they have three children: Caleb, Emma, and Silas. In his free time, Chad enjoys outings with his family, playing guitar, reading a book with a good cup of coffee, grilling, and spending time in the great outdoors. You can check out Pastor Chad’s blog here.

Tricia Rivera - Secretary

Tricia and her family moved to Sallisaw in November of 2020 and started attending Immanuel Baptist in January of 2021.  She volunteers in the children’s Sunday school rooms and became the church secretary in July of 2022.  She has a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University. Tricia and her husband Beko both retired from successful careers in the Navy.  Both were Professional Aviation Maintenance Officers on F/A-18 Hornets & Super Hornets.  Tricia and Beko have been married since October of 2006 and have three children – Ryan, Jocelyn, and Garrett.  During her free time Tricia can be found with a crochet hook in her hand, a good book, or in the kitchen experimenting with a new recipe.

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.