In Loving Memory

1924 - 2009

Director, social worker, missionary,

 teacher, counselor,

 modern-day Florence Nightingale,

 financial adviser, skills developer,

 referral agency, crisis contact person,

 and tireless friend 

all rolled into one describes the person that was

 Vada Lesteen Ander.

Like the apostle Paul, Mrs. Andler "fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith." And "Now there is in store for her the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to her on that day -- and not only to her but also to all who have longed for His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8)  On that day we we will hear Him say to her "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

In August of 1961, The Baptist Center (as it was first called) started with Vacation Bible School in Bay Harbor with 71 enrolled.  (Bay Harbor is located on the eastern side of Bay County, Florida.)   From August 1961, through July, 1962, the Women's Missionary Society in the local churches carried on a week-day program.  At that time, the Baptist Center was housed in a very small building on Poston Avenue.

Recognizing the need, the Southern Baptist Home Mission Board sent Miss Evelyn Stanford as Missionary and Director in June of 1962.  

After Miss Stanford's resignation in 1964, Mrs. Vada Andler was appointed as Director and Mrs. Ethel Cooper as assistant. 

 In 1970, Miss Patty Brown came as a summer missionary and in 1972, she became a full time worker after Mrs. Cooper moved from the area. 

In 2009, Mrs. Andler went home to be with the Lord and Miss Patty became the director.

Mrs. Andler immediately began work on cleaning up the community such as getting an old pool hall and a house of prostitution removed from the area.

Mrs. Andler started looking for a better location and the Lord opened her eyes to the potential of the tall building which now houses the present center.

Through contributions from local Southern Baptist Churches, groups, and individuals, the work continues to grow. Many people have found Christ through the work of the Baptist Center as physical and spiritual needs are being met. The work at the center continues today through the efforts of many volunteers and contributions.