Sunrise Valley Baptist was begun March 6, 1966 with the help of “New Churches Inc.”, a local group committed to “establishing New Testament Regular Baptist Churches”. Evangelist Al Rutledge was the first Pastor and helped build the two middle buildings. Through the years our church has maintained a faithful witness to our community through the ministries of several godly men. The church auditorium was erected in 1971 and the gymnasium and kitchen in 1985.

The original purpose for our church was to “encourage worship, world-wide evangelism and fellowship of believers”. We have the same commitment today. Our ministries include both Sunday morning and evening services, Sunday Bible School with classes for all ages (nursery through adult) and a Wednesday evening Bible Study and prayer meeting. We offer an exciting Children’s Church for our children each Sunday morning and our AWANA program on Wednesday evenings for children 1st through 6th grades. The youth group for Junior High and Senior High School age teens meets each Wednesday night and participates in special Youth Night Services once a quarter as well as several youth events and activities through-out the year. Our nursery is always available to give nurturing attention to our youngest while their families are in worship services. There are other special ministries such as our Ladies In Fellowship Together Bible Study and Partner’s in Prayer men’s breakfast. Our choir provides special music for our Sunday services as well as special holiday presentations at Easter, Fourth of July, and Christmas.

An important part of our outreach and ministry is the Sunrise Kiddie Korral, a preschool which serves over 40 families and has a staff of trained, credentialed, loving teachers.

Christian fellowship is also an important part of our church. In addition to the annual events, picnics and banquets, there is always something going on at Sunrise. Workdays accomplish much as well as provide good fellowship.

Our church is in fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches (GARBC). This fellowship includes 1400 independent fundamental Baptist churches nationwide.

We are a family, with brothers and sisters in Christ. Our Father wants us to pray for one another and encourage one another. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24-25

Our First Service

Sunrise Valley Baptist Church, pastored by Al Rutledge, held its first service on Sunday, March 6, 1966.  Pastor Rutledge’s message was titled “The Big Question”.  Attendance for that first Sunday was: Sunday School - 53, Morning Worship Service - 71, and Evening Service - 40.  On Sunday, April 3, 1966, the dedication service was held for the church. Many area Pastors participated in the service and the dedicatory message was brought by one of our beloved Pastors who has since gone home to be with the Lord, Reverend Irving Penberthy D.D. then of Cedar Avenue Baptist Church in Fresno.  

Our Name

The name “Sunrise Valley Baptist Church” was officially selected on June 16, 1966, at the first organizational meeting.  Stated in the minutes of that meeting was the purpose of this church to..."encourage worship, world-wide evangelism and the fellowship of believers.” The church was officially received into the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches in June 1966 at the National Conference held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.