About Oak Cliff

Read below for a message from Pastor Kent Sweatman and information on Oak Cliff’s membership, history and location.

A Letter from
Pastor Kent Sweatman

Kent 2011b

Dear Friend,

I am delighted to introduce you to Oak Cliff Baptist Church.  This website is intended to let you know something about who we are with the hope that you will want to get involved in our fellowship.  We would love for you to become part of what God is doing at Oak Cliff.

At Oak Cliff, our passion is for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our greatest desire is to have hearts that are set upon Him in faith.  We acknowledge our complete dependence upon Him for everything.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing.  He alone is our salvation and life.  We believe that in Him we are called to walk in holiness, ever growing in the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

At Oak Cliff, we have a very high view of God.  He reigns as sovereign Lord of all creation.  He is majestic and infinite in all of His attributes.  Therefore, at Oak Cliff, we seek to worship Him in an exalted way.  We seek to worship in a way that communicates to everyone the majestic greatness of God.

Believing that the Bible is the Word of God in its entirety, we preach a message of hope and make earnest appeal for all to call upon the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance for forgiveness of sin and for eternal life.

Our hope at Oak Cliff is that you will call upon Jesus Christ by faith and that you will receive eternal life in Him.  If you would like to be a part of a church like ours, we would welcome you.

 
Dr. Kent E. Sweatman
Pastor

Our Beliefs

Oak Cliff Baptist Church adheres to the Bible, God’s Word as our basis for all belief and teaching. In order to help define what the Bible teaches on various topics, we have adopted The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (Second London Baptist Confession) as our doctrinal statements. Please click on the links below to read these.

 

The Baptist Faith and Message 2000
The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (Second London Baptist Confession)
 

Membership

How does someone become a member of Oak Cliff Baptist Church?  Membership into the church of God at Oak Cliff Baptist Church is open to all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Furthermore, we at OCBC believe that the Bible clearly indicates that one’s confession is evidenced by a changed life.  If you have interest in joining the membership of OCBC, the first step would be to speak with one of our pastors on Sunday after one of our worship services.

History

On June 16, 1960, sixteen people met to organize Oak Cliff Baptist Church, under the leadership of its first pastor, Murl Walker.  The first meeting place was a tent on the current property at the corner of Gary Street and Old Greenwood.

Those who have served as pastor include:

  •      Murl Walker, 1960 – 1965
  •      Rick Ingle, 1965 – 1969
  •      Wilbur Webb, 1969 – 1970
  •      Dr. Pat Campbell, 1971 – 1973
  •      Jack Bettis, 1974 – 1983
  •      Phil Whitten, Sr., 1983 – 2004
  •      Dr. Kent E. Sweatman, 2005 – present

 

Oak Cliff Baptist Church has been a mission-minded church, enthusiastically supporting the work of the Southern Baptist Convention at local, state, national and international levels.  The church also has a rich history of engaging in hands-on mission work around the state of Arkansas; in states such as Colorado, Utah and Iowa; and as far away as Serbia.

Our fellowship looks forward to what our Lord will do through us in the future for His glory.

Our Staff

Kent 2011b

Dr. Kent E. Sweatman

Pastor

Dr. Sweatman joined the staff of OCBC in June 2005.  Prior to coming to Oak Cliff, He served churches in Alabama, Texas, and Oklahoma.  Dr. Sweatman was educated at Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas (Bachelor of Music, 1982), and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas (M.Div., 1987; Ph.D., 1998).  He and his wife, Sarah, have two sons.

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Lyndel Hobbs

Associate Pastor

Mr. Hobbs joined the staff of OCBC in 1985.  He is responsible for oversight of music, education, and family ministries.  He previously served churches in Oklahoma and Texas.  Mr. Hobbs was educated at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.  He and his wife, Pam, have two daughters.

Support Staff

Sandy Ellison, Secretary

Directions

Oak Cliff Baptist Church
3701 S. Gary St.
Fort Smith, AR 72903

Where We Are

Oak Cliff Baptist Church is located at 3701 S. Gary St., Fort Smith, Arkansas, near Southside High School and the ArcBest building.

From I-540

Take exit 10 and go north on Old Greenwood Road approximately one half mile.  OCBC is located at the corner of Old Greenwood Road and Gary Street.