Who We Are
The Raytown Christian Church had its beginning in the story of four small groups of people who lived in the newly formed Township of Brooking in the 1870's. Each group felt the need of a permanent place to worship God. They met wherever they could find a sheltering roof.
One group which called itself "The Church at Little Blue Station" was organized in 1871. The second sizable group, known as "Church at Pitcher Schoolhouse," banded together under the leadership of a schoolteacher who taught in the Independence public schools. A third group consisted of members of a congregation who "had church" at Gore's Chapel, a schoolhouse located five miles northeast of Lee's Summit. Members of a fourth group attended a small church built of logs, situated on what is now Bannister Road, This was the "Bethlehem Congregation". These four churches joined together to become Raytown Christian Church.
Church records indicate that after a hard struggle the money was raised and the building was begun; which was completed in 1881. There were 99 charter members. The small frame church, built largely at the hands of its members, stood in a grove of locust trees, at what is now 6227 Raytown Road. Eventually the church would build (and rebuild) at its current location of 6108 Blue Ridge.
When the second church burned December 1, 1936, it was voted to "accept the offer of the use of the High School for Sunday School and church meetings on Sunday mornings, and for evening meetings to be held in homes of church members. Raytown Christian Church returned the favor a few years later by hosting kindergarten classes in its building when the schools were too full to host them.
It is easy to limit a church's history to just its buildings & fires and never get a sense of who they are. Commitment to Raytown as a community has been a hallmark of RCC's mission and ministry. Our weekly food pantry ministry, our support of senior's center programming, our Boy Scout Troop 285's long history & our decision to stay in the city center and remodel/expand our building's facility in 2007 exemplify this dedication.
Our newest ministry, which now includes 19 partner churches, businesses, and organizations, is the Summer Lunch Outreach Ministry which served over 12,000 lunches to hungry children in our community during summer break.
As Disciples we affirm Jesus Christ is the son of the Living God,
and offers saving grace to all. All persons are God's children.
Beliefs and practices usually associated with Disciples include:
Open Communion: The Lord's Supper or Communion is celebrated in weekly worship. It is open to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Freedom of belief: Disciples are called together around one essential of faith: belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Persons are free to follow their conscience guided by the Bible, the Holy Spirit study and prayers, and are expected to extend that freedom to others.
Baptism by immersion: In baptism the old self-centered life is set aside, and a new life of trust in God begins. Although Disciples practice baptism by immersion, other baptism traditions are honored.
The ministry of believers: Both ministers and lay persons lead in worship, service and spiritual growth.