While little Charles B. Bailey was enjoying the thrills of boyhood in the streets of Kansas City, KS - shooting marbles, swimming in Jersey Creek, hopping freight trains and eating cookies - young Geneva A. Stephens was being big sister to her six siblings in Conway, AR.  Little did either of them know the magnitude of God’s plan for their lives.

It was 1935, after having lost her mother that Geneva’s family fled Conway by train and settled in Kansas City, KS.  Pressing toward higher ground was her mission.  During a Revival in 1938, she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ.  One year later, young Charles accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.  The two were living their own individual lives in their own individual worlds.

1943.  World War II.  Charles was drafted.  D-Day.  The invasion of Southern France.  The rockets’ red glare.  The bombing of Hiroshima.  The bombs bursting in air.  Life in the foxholes.  Four battle stars.  An honorable discharge from Uncle Sam’s army.  Preparation for a call to God’s army.

After returning home, a friend introduced Charles to a bright young Baptist Training Union teacher named Geneva.  On July 6, 1947, the two were joined in holy matrimony.

Then that Friday night in 1948 when everything changed.  While working at the packing house, “The Lord called me to preach.”  Bailey and his Pastor agreed to announce the call to the church during Morning Worship.  However, during Sunday School, the children were singing Fit Me For Service.  “That stuff got hot!”  Bailey couldn’t wait.  He ran down the aisle and said he was ready to preach!

The young couple served their church faithfully while raising their four children and studying to show themselves approved unto God.  Rev. Bailey attended Kansas State University, American Baptist Theological Seminary in Nashville, TN and Western Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, MO.  Mrs. Bailey studied at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Kansas State University and Central Baptist Theological Seminary.  During this time they persevered, endured and overcame tremendous obstacles including the crushing strongholds of a segregated society.  "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in dispair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."  They continued to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling.  They prevailed.  Each of them earned their Bachelor of Theology.  Mrs. Bailey later earned a Master of Science degree.

The call came from a small, two year old church.  They had about 50 members and were meeting in a dance hall.  They needed a Pastor.  Rev. Bailey accepted the call.  Over the next 46 years, God used Rev. Bailey’s effectual, fervent prayer life, dynamic, dunamis powered preaching and intense passion for evangelism blended with Mrs. Bailey’s impactful teaching, virtuous, quiet strength, Godly wisdom and deep hunger and thirst for righteousness and knowledge to lead this church to heights no one ever imagined.  Exponential growth in membership and giving, innumerable transformed lives, a brand new sanctuary, a brand new educational facility, debt-free ownership of half of a city block and an impeccable reputation of steadfast service to God and the community.

And this legacy continues in the lives of those who have been impacted and in the mission of BCEF.