Reverend Lester Jones, state home missionary began making contacts in January 1957 with those interested in beginning a Free Will Baptist Church in Raytown, Missouri. The first meeting for prospective members was held in Delbert and Greta Carter’s home. All interested began to meet for Sunday School and worship services in their homes.
Beacon FWB Church was organized on March 28, 1957 in a joint organizational meeting with the Victory FWB Church. Reverend R.B. Spurgeon delivered the sermon. Reverend Harry Beatty presented the Bible to the church. Reverend Paul Williams presented the Articles of Faith. Reverend O.T. Dixon read the church covenant. Mr. Joe Cockrell, moderator of the Central Western Association of FWB, delivered a prayer of consecration. Reverend Rolla Smith called for charter members and sixteen people responded. They were: Mr. and Mrs. Lester Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Marion Binkley, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Carter, Mr. and Mrs. John Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Horn, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Jenkins, Freda Jenkins and Sandra Jenkins. Reverend Lester Jones was elected as pastor of the church. On April 7, 1957 the first service was held in the Boy Scout Hall on Arlington Street in Raytown.
In the years since Beacon’s founding, Raytown and the Kansas City area has changed a lot. New faces have moved into the neighborhood and new families have taken root, but Beacon Free Will Baptist Church has never lost the desire of its founding members – to reach the community with the gospel of Jesus Christ.