Our History
Churches Advancing the Kingdom Together as a Family
The story of the Orange County Southern Baptist Association is a story of churches choosing to serve together. Since its founding in 1952, OCSBA has brought congregations into fellowship around a shared calling: proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ, strengthening local churches, and extending their ministry through cooperation. What began with nine churches laid the foundation for a growing network of churches serving Orange County and reaching beyond it.
Nine Churches, One Shared Mission
On October 10, 1952, representatives from nine churches gathered at Palm Street Baptist Church in Anaheim to form the Orange County Southern Baptist Association. These congregations came from different communities and brought different histories, but they shared a desire to strengthen their fellowship and spread the gospel throughout their county.
The founding congregations, identified by their names in the historical account, were:
First Southern Baptist Church anaheim
First Southern Baptist Church buena park
First southern baptist Church cypress
First So. Baptist Church garden grove
First Southern Baptist Church la habra
First Baptist Church midway city
First Southern Baptist Church orange
Bristol Street Baptist Church santa ana First Baptist Church westminster
Five of these churches had previously belonged to the Los Angeles association. Others joined without that earlier affiliation, including First Southern Baptist Church of Anaheim, which had begun as a mission in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chester W. Harroun just one year before. Church planting had already connected several of the founding congregations: Cypress was the mother church of the Buena Park congregation, and Bristol Street Baptist Church in Santa Ana was the mother church of First Southern Baptist Church of Orange. Cooperation was part of their story before the association formally began.
A Foundation Rooted in the Great Commission
OCSBA’s original constitution established a clear purpose: to promote the preaching of the gospel, spread God’s truth at home and abroad, strengthen member churches, provide opportunities for greater service, and encourage missions in keeping with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16–20. Cooperation with Southern Baptist partners at the state and national levels connected this local fellowship to a wider missionary effort.
The founding churches also affirmed the independence of each local congregation. The association was not established to govern churches or direct their internal affairs. Its purpose was to support and strengthen them through voluntary cooperation. That founding vision joined two important commitments: respect for the local church and a willingness to work together in service to Christ.
Growing Together in the Early Years
The association grew steadily during its first decade. By 1959, twelve additional churches had joined, six missions had been started, and the combined membership of its churches and missions had reached 4,386 people. Its budget had increased nearly tenfold, reflecting an expanding commitment to shared ministry.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, OCSBA continued helping churches establish a lasting presence in their communities. This included assisting congregations in securing funding to purchase land, supporting new ministries, and developing resources for outreach. The association’s growth was not simply a matter of adding churches to a directory. It involved helping congregations put down roots and strengthen their ability to serve.
Serving Across Languages and Cultures
As its ministry developed, OCSBA supported outreach among Orange County’s diverse communities. Its historical work included ministries serving Spanish-speaking, Chinese, Arabic-speaking, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Samoan communities, alongside ministries serving older adults.
This commitment extended beyond establishing new congregations. The association also provided multilingual resources, connected churches with language consultants, and encouraged participation in domestic and international missions. Churches with different languages and cultural backgrounds could share resources and opportunities while contributing their own gifts to the wider fellowship.
Strengthening Churches and Encouraging Pastors
During the period documented in Pastor Evan Dahl’s research, Dr. Michael Proud’s leadership emphasized church health, pastoral encouragement, and helping congregations discern their next steps in ministry. Pastor peer groups and working retreats provided opportunities for encouragement, deeper relationships, prayer, and reflection.
Through the Assess & Assist ministry, the association also walked alongside churches as they considered their health, direction, and opportunities for growth. The approach reflected OCSBA’s founding principles: not taking control of a church, but offering resources, options, and support as the congregation sought God’s direction.
A New Chapter: Advancing Together as a Family
On February 3, 2022, Dr. Victor Chayasirisobhon was unanimously elected as OCSBA’s eighth Director of Missions, succeeding Dr. Michael Proud. Building on the legacy of earlier leaders, including Doyle Braden and Michael Proud, he emphasized stronger relationships, church planting, ministry development, leadership preparation, and opportunities for churches to come together as a family.
That family emphasis has found expression in shared service. In July 2024, teams from FBC Walnut Valley, Faith Fellowship, and FBC Cypress worked together in Lamont, California, serving migrant workers and their families. Other OCSBA churches and ministries contributed donations and support, helping the participating churches meet practical needs and share the gospel together.
Today, Dr. Chayasirisobhon continues to serve as Director of Missions, and OCSBA’s public vision places family at the heart of its commitment to advancing Christ’s Kingdom together. We give thanks for the churches, pastors, missionaries, and ministry partners who have helped write this story. Their faithfulness encourages us to keep building relationships, strengthening churches, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.
As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for our history and confidence in the Lord who calls us forward. Our prayer is that each new chapter will reflect the same spirit of cooperation that brought those first nine churches together.