History of Dayspring Missionary Baptist of Jackson, Missouri 

On February 25, 1983, Mike and Helen DeClue, Linda Douglass and Tim DeClue met with Bro. W. H. Newman to discuss organization of a mission. Also present were Bro. Fulcher, Sis. Fulcher, and Karen Haile. This group requested to Bro. Newman to have their membership letters transferred to Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Sikeston, MO. It was decided to organize the mission as soon as the letters reached Bethel with Bethel extending an arm to start the mission. On Monday, February 28, 1983 a motion was made to rent a building at 113 Independence, Cape Girardaeu, Missouri.

The first pastor was Bro. William Fulcher, beginning as pastor in February 1983. Bro. Fulcher was instrumental in getting things started and leading the small group in the right direction. Bro. Don McWilliams came as pastor in October of 1985 and concentrated on ministering to the college students from Southeast Missouri State University. He started an Association of Baptist Students. He also started the search for a new building and property because of growth and problems with the building. Bro. W. H. Newman came as the interim pastor in May 1988 and helped the mission to stay together and grow closer through some difficult times.

During Bro. Newman’s tenure, the search for new property and a building came to an end. Sis. Linda Douglass was driving around and "stumbled" onto a plain brick building sitting in a patch of weeds. However, looking past all of that, Sis. Linda could visualize a church there and contacted the realtor. After looking at the building with the Special Missions Committee and the realtor, everyone felt this was definitely the right choice. The building was purchased and the mission’s name was changed to Dayspring. Several churches throughout the BMA of Missouri contributed to the mission, and the purchase and remodeling of the new building. Emmanuel Baptist Church in Sikeston donated the steeple. Faith Baptist Church of St. Charles donated the organ.

In January of 1989 Bro. Tom Foster was called as pastor. Bro. Foster had a very loving spirit toward people and a great vision for growth. He also was responsible for much of the remodeling and getting the property into shape.

In November of 1990, Bro. Steve Francis became the pastor. Bro. Francis provided leadership and teaching as the mission began to move forward in reaching out into the community. He encouraged the mission to organize into a church, and through many hardships and obstacles the church was officially organized on Saturday, December 12, 1992. The number of charter members at the time of organization was 42. Bro. Francis pastored the church until May of 2004.

The church is currently pastored by Bro. Webb Manley with the hopes of growing into a strong, vibrant, fundamental New Testament church ministering and preaching the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ to the Cape Girardeau/Jackson area and to the uttermost parts of the earth.