Some years are remembered for a single defining moment. Others are remembered for the many ways faithful people quietly shape the future. In 1988, Myers Park Baptist Church demonstrated that ministry could be found in a neighborhood drainage project, in the wisdom of a celebrated author, in the music that lifted worship, and even around a table filled with treasured family recipes. It was a year of honoring respected leadership while investing in new voices and fresh opportunities for service. Through community partnerships, spiritual exploration, acts of justice, and the strengthening of congregational life, the church continued to live out a faith that was both deeply rooted and actively engaged with the world around it.

Honoring the Ministry of Dr. R. Eugene Owens
In May 1988, Dr. R. Eugene Owens received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University. The citation recognized his nearly two decades of leadership at Myers Park Baptist Church and celebrated his commitment to a Christian faith marked by openness, compassion, liberation, and hope. The university praised Owens as a preacher whose voice rose above scandal and dogmatism to proclaim good news for all people. The honor also affirmed Myers Park Baptist's place within a Baptist tradition known for eloquence, prophetic witness, and intellectual engagement.

Transforming a Neighborhood—The STEP Drainage Project
One of the most significant mission efforts of 1988 emerged through Myers Park Baptist Church's STEP partnership with Faith Memorial Baptist Church and the Lakeview community. What began as a public concern became a powerful testimony to what can happen when people of faith join hands with neighbors to address long-standing injustices.

For years, severe drainage problems had affected neighborhood residents, prompting dedicated advocacy from church members and community leaders. A key leader in the effort was Steve Cornwell, whose persistence and commitment proved invaluable. Working closely with city engineers, Cornwell helped identify practical solutions and navigate the complex process required to bring the project before local officials. In order to collect the required 51 percent of signatures from the affected residents, Cornwell, Molly Brugh, and members of Faith Memorial Baptist Church went door-to-door building relationships and gathering the necessary support to move forward. Their perseverance led to City Council approval of a $287,000 drainage project that promised lasting improvements to the quality of life in Lakeview.

More than a public works success, the project became a vivid example of the church’s mission in action. It demonstrated that ministry can take many forms—not only worship and proclamation, but also advocacy, organizing, and standing alongside neighbors in pursuit of the common good. By listening to community concerns, building partnerships across congregations, and working faithfully through civic channels, those involved helped bring tangible hope to an entire neighborhood.

The STEP drainage project remains an inspiring chapter in the church’s history, reminding us that lasting transformation often begins when ordinary people commit themselves to the well-being of others. Through perseverance, collaboration, and a shared vision of justice, Myers Park Baptist Church, Faith Memorial Baptist Church, and the Lakeview community showed how faith can make a real and lasting difference in the lives of God’s people. 

A Weekend with Madeleine L'Engle 
The congregation welcomed renowned author Madeleine L'Engle for a special weekend centered on the theme, "Joining Hands with God to Continue the Creation of Hope in the Pilgrimage of the Believer." The event offered the congregation a rare opportunity to engage with one of the most influential spiritual and literary voices of her generation.

Throughout the weekend, L’Engle shared her insights through lectures, workshops, discussions, and worship services, inviting participants to explore the relationship between faith, imagination, and creativity. She spent time not only with adults but also with children, encouraging them to see wonder, curiosity, and storytelling as gifts that draw people closer to God.

L’Engle challenged believers to embrace hope as an active and creative force, reminding them that faith involves participating with God in the ongoing work of redemption and renewal. Reflecting a theme that resonated throughout her visit, she often reminded audiences that “We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.” Drawing from both her literary career and her spiritual journey, she encouraged listeners to approach life’s questions with humility, courage, and a deep trust in God’s presence.

The event reflected Myers Park Baptist's longstanding commitment to thoughtful spirituality, lifelong learning, and engagement with voices that inspire deeper reflection on the Christian journey.

Restoring a Steeple 
Beginning in November 1988, a skilled Charlotte restoration crew, led by superintendent Gary Ramey, undertook the task of preserving the iconic steeple atop Myers Park Baptist Church. Working nearly 10 stories above the ground, the team completed a variety of repairs, including the careful repainting of the steeple’s clock face. Originally dedicated in 1952, the steeple had not undergone significant restoration work since the late 1980s. Church administrator Joe Aldrich noted that replacing the landmark structure entirely would cost close to $1 million, making restoration the most practical and responsible option. The project reflected the congregation’s commitment to preserving one of its most recognizable architectural features and was expected to be completed in 1989.

Sharing Stories Around the Table, the MPBC Cookbook 
Church fellowship found a creative expression through plans for a Myers Park Baptist family cookbook, a project that celebrated not only favorite recipes but also the relationships and traditions that bound the congregation together. Organized by the women of Circle #1, the cookbook became an invitation for members of all ages to share a piece of themselves—whether through a treasured family recipe, a holiday favorite, or a dish that had graced church suppers and family gatherings for generations.

At the heart of the effort were Jo Jones and Kay Stribling, who coordinated the collection of recipes and encouraged broad participation. Each recipe carried with it a story—memories of family meals, celebrations, shared laughter, and the comforting traditions. It reflected how some of the most meaningful ministry happens around a table, where friendships are nurtured, stories are exchanged, and community is strengthened. The project also highlighted the important role of women’s ministry in cultivating fellowship and connection within the church. 

Strengthening Congregational Connections 
In 1988, Myers Park Baptist Church completed a new pictorial directory, helping members stay connected in an increasingly large and active congregation. Coordinated by Mary Pinson and Priscilla Bynum, the project reflected the church’s commitment to cultivating meaningful relationships and ensuring that every member felt known, valued, and connected within the life of the church. 

Anita Bultmann Tritt Appointed Organist 
In 1988, Myers Park Baptist Church formally appointed Anita Bultmann Tritt as organist following eight months of dedicated service as Interim Organist. Her appointment brought to the congregation a musician of exceptional talent, experience, and devotion, whose gifts would further enrich the church’s vibrant worship life.

Tritt came to Myers Park Baptist with an impressive and distinguished background that spanned decades of service in church music. Throughout her career, she had served as an organist, choirmaster, teacher, conductor, organ consultant, and curator, earning the respect of congregations and musicians alike. Her broad experience included ministry in a number of churches across North Carolina, including Ascension Lutheran Church (where she began her career serving as assistant organist at the age of eleven), Park Road Baptist Church, Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church, First Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Saint James Lutheran Church.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Tritt was known for her deep commitment to sacred music and her understanding of its role in shaping meaningful worship. Her artistry at the organ, combined with her dedication to excellence and ministry, helped create worship experiences that uplifted congregational singing and inspired reflection and praise. Her appointment strengthened an already outstanding music program and continued the church's longstanding tradition of excellence in worship and sacred music.

Carole Outwater Named Director of Pre-School Ministries 
A familiar and trusted leader became a permanent member of the church staff when Carole Outwater was appointed Director of Pre-School Ministries. After serving for two years as Interim Director of the Through-The-Week School, Outwater assumed a full-time role overseeing both the weekday school and Sunday preschool ministries.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, she brought educational expertise and deep commitment to the church's youngest members. Working under the supervision of Bill Treadwell, Senior Educator, she helped strengthen the congregation's ministry to children and families. Her installation was celebrated during worship, with Gene Owens expressing gratitude for her leadership and service. 

Welcoming Dan Sandifer as Minister to Youth 
The beginning of 1988 brought an exciting new chapter for the youth of Myers Park Baptist Church with the arrival of Dan Sandifer, who officially began his ministry as Minister to Youth on January 1, 1988. His appointment was greeted with enthusiasm and anticipation as the congregation welcomed a gifted and compassionate leader dedicated to walking alongside young people during some of the most formative years of their lives.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Sandifer came to Myers Park Baptist from First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Arlington, Virginia, bringing with him a wide range of ministry experiences and a deep commitment to nurturing the faith of young people. A graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, he combined strong theological training with practical experience in youth ministry, pastoral care, counseling, and youth camp leadership.
Particularly valuable was his background in clinical pastoral education, including two years of specialized training at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Announcing the appointment, church leaders expressed confidence that Sandifer's gifts would enrich the lives of young people and strengthen the congregation's ministry with youth for years to come. 

As 1988 drew to a close, Myers Park Baptist Church stood as a congregation committed not only to preserving its heritage but also to expanding its witness in meaningful ways. From the recognition of Dr. Gene Owens' visionary leadership to the transformation of the Lakeview community through the STEP partnership, the year revealed a church determined to turn faith into action. New staff leaders brought fresh energy to ministries with children and youth, gifted musicians enriched worship, members strengthened connections through shared stories and fellowship, and the restoration of the steeple symbolized a commitment to preserving a landmark that pointed heavenward. Together, these moments tell the story of a congregation that understood ministry as more than what happened within sanctuary walls. In 1988, Myers Park Baptist Church showed that hope grows strongest when faith is lived in community, shared in service, and expressed through a steadfast commitment to the well-being of others.