The History of Sonrise Baptist Church
Sonrise Baptist Church started in 2002 with the goal of sharing and living Jesus Christ in Ozark, Christian County, and in the Springfield Metro.
On February 24, 2002, a group of twelve people met at the home of Pastor Kevin for our first “unofficial” service. Those that attended, and became the first members of Sonrise, came from both the Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri and the Park Crest Baptist Church in Springfield. Cherry Street, under the direction of Pastor Ken Gillming, was the planting church for Sonrise. Pastor Kevin Carson had been the Senior Adult Pastor there for six years, Pastor Wayne Slusser was working with the single adults, and Pastor Eric was serving in the music ministry. Pastor Craig Carson and Pastor Brad both were ministering at Park Crest. The other two members present were Jack and Marilyn Drury from Cherry Street. Sonrise began on March 31, 2002. What a joy that first service was as we met in a 1000 square foot building on the north side of Ozark. Who knew then how exciting it would be in the days ahead.
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine….Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
1 Timothy 4:13, 16
Sonrise Baptist Church believes…
- The Bible is the only inspired, inerrant, authoritative and sufficient Word of God consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments;
- There is one God, Eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
- In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, His bodily resurrection, His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and His personal return in power and glory;
- That for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential;
- That a person becomes justified by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ;
- In the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life;
- In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation;
- In the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ and His church;
- In the importance and vital role the local church plays in the lives of all believers
Kevin Carson ~ Pastor
Kevin grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, the son of a pastor and often says “it has been my privilege to have lived my entire life in and around church.” In 1990 Kevin moved to Springfield, Missouri o attend Baptist Bible College. There he met his wife Kelly and they were married in 1994. Shortly thereafter he started working as the senior adult pastor at Cherry Street Baptist Church. It was in that ministry where Kelly and Kevin first started talking about planting a church. They are thrilled God brought a team together with them to start Sonrise in 2002. Kevin also started teaching as a faculty member of Baptist Bible Graduate School in 1999. Kevin also serves as a member of the Ozark Rotary Cub. In the process of all this God has given Kevin and Kelly four children. “What a thrill to serve Christ and the fellow members at Sonrise in the beautiful Ozarks.” In his spare time Kevin enjoys family, sports, fishing, hunting, and blogging at KevinCarson.com.
Craig Carson ~ Pastor
Craig grew up in Kentucky and the son of a pastor. Craig is married to Karla Carson and they have 4 children, 2 boys and 2 girls. Craig is a graduate of Baptist Bible College as well as Missouri State University. Craig does a wonderful job serving as Sonrise’s music leader and director of ministries. In addition to his pastoral role, Craig also serves as the assistant superintendent of the Ozark School District and is a member of the Ozark Rotary Club. Amidst his busy schedule, when he is able to squeeze in some hobbies, Craig enjoys his family, attending music events, sports, fishing, hunting and a little farming.
Bill Piatt ~ Director of Biblical Counseling 
Bro. Bill, as he is affectionately known, came to Sonrise from a longtime pastorate in northern Indiana with his wife Mary Ann in 2003. Since that time he and Mary Ann have led our biblical counseling team. Bro. Bill also has opportunities throughout the year to fill the pulpit in our Sunday School and main worship services. In addition to his responsibilities at Sonrise, Bro. Bill serves as a campus counselor and faculty at Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary ministering to students, pastors, and missionaries around the globe. Bro. Bill and his wife Mary Ann are a wonderful and valuable part of the Sonrise family. In his free time, Bro. Bill enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, football, and working on his yard.