Ridgewood Baptist Church

In the early days of our church, missionary gifts were made through the Baptist State Missionary Board. After April 1925, our church withdrew from the Illinois and National Baptist convention, and they joined Baptist Bible Union of America, and then began direct reference to missionaries individually. One of the first missionaries adopted and given support by the R.N.G.E. Circle was Miss Ruth Nelson.

The R.N.G.E. (Ruth Nelson's Gospel Endeavor) Circle was organized under the direction of Miss Minnie Constance and her Sunday school class of girls in 1921. The purpose of the group was to support Ruth Nelson, a missionary to China. Ruth was the first missionary of the Ridgewood Baptist Church.

Over the years the Circle not only supported Ruth Nelson but also faithfully gave a tithe of the offerings to the church. The R.N.G.E. Circle grew until there was a membership of about 25 girls. As the years passed, some of the members went home to be with the Lord, some moved to other localities, and some moved on to other churches where they organized other R.N.G.E. Circles and continued to assist in supporting Ruth. Those who moved to other states after retirement faithfully continued to contribute to the Circle and to the special offerings taken twice a year for Ruth Nelson.

At the time of our 50th Anniversary, January 1, 1953, our missionary budget was $5,380.00. At the time of our 75th Anniversary (1977 budget) the Ridgewood Baptist has a total missionary budget of $29,155.00 yearly. This year's budget is up to $51,360, and we praise the Lord for the opportunity to be involved in the worldwide spreading of the gospel.

The church has always had a great interest in missions. Several of the young boys and girls that grew up in the church were converted, followed the Lord in baptism, had schooling in Bible Colleges and answered the Lord's call to the pastorate. Some of the names were Howard Johnson and wife Alice, Everett Sterling and wife Dorothy, Donald McClintock and wife, and Ryan McCammack. Some of our membership who went to mission fields were Bill Rigby, Florence Beabout, Gerald Swank and wife Dorothy, Marie Olesen, Elsie Burkett (James), David Reeves, Jr. and wife Debbie, Lillian Hendrickson, Ted Lepper and wife, Nancy, Rev. and Mrs. Everett Sterling, Barbara Brennwald (Woodman), and Bruce Woodman.

One missionary effort our church had a part in helping in the past was the Christian Youth Center under the direction of Harvey Russell. He first came to Joliet from Skokie, Ill. to lead Hi-C, which came about through Ted Lepper and others who were praying for a Bible club for high school young people. This first Hi-C meeting was held at Ridgewood Baptist Church, and as time went on it grew by leaps and bounds. Wilbur Rigby and Bruce Woodman were among some of the young people from Ridgewood who were either won directly or indirectly, or dedicated through Hi-C.

In later years, after being absent from Joliet for several years, Harvey was called back to direct the present Christian Youth Center and now the center is under the direction of Rollie Lindstrom. A lovely new building was constructed and has been the means of reaching many young people from Joliet and surrounding towns with the gospel, resulting in conversions.

Others who have been supported by Ridgewood Baptist Church during the past years are: The Fred Morningstars with the Southern Highland Evangel Mission; Children's Bible Hour; Pacific Garden Mission; Radio Station WMBI; Kitty and Newberry Cox with Central American Mission; Mrs. Jewel Ford with Bible Witness Mission; Rev. J. R. Wilson with Mid-Missions, Percy Crawford (Youth on the March TV program), Tracy and Faye Hull, Bob and Minnie Jobe, and many others.