A Brief History of
The First Southern Baptist Church

of Palm Springs, California

The First Southern Baptist Church of Palm Springs, California was established in 1964 as a mission, funded, in part, by the Home Mission Board (HMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, now known as the North American Mission Board of the SBC.

The church met in various locations in Palm Springs until the Sanctuary and Educational Building was built in 1970.  The Fellowship Hall was built in 1980.

The founders chose a location in a good neighborhood close to a medical facility at Sunrise and Vista Chino, the Raymond Cree Middle School at Avenida Caballeros and Vista Chino, and surrounded by family friendly apartments and condominiums.

 A number of short-term and interim Pastors served during the early years. During the 1980s and most of the 90s, the church had only interim Pastors. 

In 1998, Pastor Bob Brown was called as full-time pastor.  He served the church until he retired in June, 2007.

In 1999 the church asked Rev. Steve Groll, an ordained Southern Baptist minister and graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, to become Children’s Pastor, where he continued in service until 2021.  He worked in California churches for forty years, and has a special calling and love of working with children.  Rev. Groll has served as camp pastor, guest speaker at children retreats, led children revivals.  He is an accomplished author, having published “Beyond the Forest”, a compilation of stories he told to the children over the years.

In 2007, Pastor Patrick O’Brien was called as part-time pastor, and served until August, 2009 while he attended the California Baptist University in Riverside.. 

In 2011, Pastor Alan Littlejohn was called as full-time pastor and served until June, 2017.

In 2017, retired Pastor, Reverend Fred Maldonado, agreed to serve as Interim Pastor.
 
In March, 2018, Dr. Kenneth Mills was called as Senior Pastor.  He is a retired Southern Baptist pastor and career missionary to the Philippines.

In April, 2018 Rev. Fred Maldonado was honored for his service to the church by being designated as our Pastor Emeritus.