Onnie Issac Kirk, Sr was the 26th child born September 29, 1924 to the union of Frank Kirk and Mary Jane Lowe in an East Texas town, called Stranger. At age six due to the demise of his Father, he worked alongside his brothers as a farmer, feeding animals and harvesting crops. On occasion they would travel into far West Texas (ex. Anthony, Client, Van Horn, Fabens and El Paso) harvesting cotton.
In Pastor Kirk’s hometown, he volunteered as a child taking care of the widows, making sure they had enough wood; to build a fire to keep warm and cook. He became a part of the El Paso Community in 1948. He was a member of a pioneer church for 12 years where he served as an ordained deacon and minister. In 1956 his first sermon was “I Have Meat to Eat That Ye Know Not Of” John 4:32.
He continues to be hungry for souls, witnessing in beer taverns, homes, hospitals, jails, orphanages, elder care facilities and prisons. As a doer of the word he evangelizes about salvation to all; applying Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.
In 1962 God blessed him with dual assignments as founding Pastor of the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church; and interim Pastor of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church. These two fellowships having the mind of Christ realized that two was better than one, banded together in 1963 forming the Unity Missionary Baptist Church.
Soon the Unity Missionary Baptist Church became a part of the Lovely Sunset Baptist District Association. Pastor Kirk now serves as Moderator Emeritus and has served as President of the Sunday School and BTU Congress for 25 years, Vice Moderator for eight years and Moderator for four years. During this tenure Unity co-hosted the 1990 Fall Session of the General Baptist Convention of Texas.
Due to his leadership an alliance between churches spanning from Fabens, TX. to Silver City, New Mexico exists. This forum, known as Texas/New Mexico Fellowship provides monthly workshops and corporate worship services. It is also a conduit to churches providing preachers and teachers during the interim of not having an undershepherd.
Over the years Pastor Kirk has served in numerous capacities to include; being past President to both the El Paso Interdenominational Ministers, and Baptist Ministers Alliances, Board Member of the El Paso Christian Home. Active member of; Northeast Ministers and Booker T. Washington Alumni Association, Executive Board Member of All Things Possible and sponsor of Youth About Business El Paso chapter head quartered in Nashville, Tennessee as well as being the Senior advisor to Sisters Of Spirit Enrichment, Inc.
His humble stature has poised him to be a recipient of salutations from dignitaries of the private, public and governmental sectors on local, national and international levels. During the 1990’s Guadalupe University bestowed an Honorary Doctorate upon him in recognition of his many public contributions and accomplishments.
Pastor Kirk is the fraternal father to eight children. He exemplified charity at home during his 57 years of marital bliss on earth to one wife (the late Mary Jane McGruder Kirk). From these eight off springs he has the dubious honor of being known as; “Grand Father”, “Grand Dad”, “Paw Paw”, and “Great Grand Father”.
Being the eldest Brother In Law to the McGruder household, he assisted in rearing 5 younger brothers. As role model to them and their off springs he carries endearing terms as; “Brother”, “Brother In Law”, and “Uncle Onnie”.
As prelude to the Kirk Family Reunion he is welcomed to his hometown yearly as guest evangelist. The first of many within his natural born family to be anointed and appointed by God he serves as Senior Advisor to the reunion cabinet. Amongst his own he is called; “Stang”, “Baby Brother”, “Uncle”, and “Preacher Man”.
El Paso and surrounding communities lovingly call him a praying man. As a spiritual mentor to many, Pastor Kirk reminds all to apply John 13:35 “By this will men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” Under his stewardship many have received salvation, been nurtured in the word and have taken hold to the mantle of Greater Works. We are blessed to have him serve as our Pastor.
In Pastor Kirk’s hometown, he volunteered as a child taking care of the widows, making sure they had enough wood; to build a fire to keep warm and cook. He became a part of the El Paso Community in 1948. He was a member of a pioneer church for 12 years where he served as an ordained deacon and minister. In 1956 his first sermon was “I Have Meat to Eat That Ye Know Not Of” John 4:32.
He continues to be hungry for souls, witnessing in beer taverns, homes, hospitals, jails, orphanages, elder care facilities and prisons. As a doer of the word he evangelizes about salvation to all; applying Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.
In 1962 God blessed him with dual assignments as founding Pastor of the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church; and interim Pastor of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church. These two fellowships having the mind of Christ realized that two was better than one, banded together in 1963 forming the Unity Missionary Baptist Church.
Soon the Unity Missionary Baptist Church became a part of the Lovely Sunset Baptist District Association. Pastor Kirk now serves as Moderator Emeritus and has served as President of the Sunday School and BTU Congress for 25 years, Vice Moderator for eight years and Moderator for four years. During this tenure Unity co-hosted the 1990 Fall Session of the General Baptist Convention of Texas.
Due to his leadership an alliance between churches spanning from Fabens, TX. to Silver City, New Mexico exists. This forum, known as Texas/New Mexico Fellowship provides monthly workshops and corporate worship services. It is also a conduit to churches providing preachers and teachers during the interim of not having an undershepherd.
Over the years Pastor Kirk has served in numerous capacities to include; being past President to both the El Paso Interdenominational Ministers, and Baptist Ministers Alliances, Board Member of the El Paso Christian Home. Active member of; Northeast Ministers and Booker T. Washington Alumni Association, Executive Board Member of All Things Possible and sponsor of Youth About Business El Paso chapter head quartered in Nashville, Tennessee as well as being the Senior advisor to Sisters Of Spirit Enrichment, Inc.
His humble stature has poised him to be a recipient of salutations from dignitaries of the private, public and governmental sectors on local, national and international levels. During the 1990’s Guadalupe University bestowed an Honorary Doctorate upon him in recognition of his many public contributions and accomplishments.
Pastor Kirk is the fraternal father to eight children. He exemplified charity at home during his 57 years of marital bliss on earth to one wife (the late Mary Jane McGruder Kirk). From these eight off springs he has the dubious honor of being known as; “Grand Father”, “Grand Dad”, “Paw Paw”, and “Great Grand Father”.
Being the eldest Brother In Law to the McGruder household, he assisted in rearing 5 younger brothers. As role model to them and their off springs he carries endearing terms as; “Brother”, “Brother In Law”, and “Uncle Onnie”.
As prelude to the Kirk Family Reunion he is welcomed to his hometown yearly as guest evangelist. The first of many within his natural born family to be anointed and appointed by God he serves as Senior Advisor to the reunion cabinet. Amongst his own he is called; “Stang”, “Baby Brother”, “Uncle”, and “Preacher Man”.
El Paso and surrounding communities lovingly call him a praying man. As a spiritual mentor to many, Pastor Kirk reminds all to apply John 13:35 “By this will men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” Under his stewardship many have received salvation, been nurtured in the word and have taken hold to the mantle of Greater Works. We are blessed to have him serve as our Pastor.
