Our Story

Starting out as a small Bible study, Salmon Valley Baptist Church first began after faithful believers from Calvary Baptist Church in Idaho Falls determined that the Lord desired to see the people of Salmon know Him. After officially becoming a mission church, Salmon Valley Baptist Chapel (as it was called then) had its first Sunday service on November 9, 1969, in Eagles Hall; and Frank O. Russell, Salmon Valley Baptist Chapel’s very first pastor, preached a sermon to about 30 people. Pastor Russell lived in Idaho Falls and frequently braved windstorms and blizzards to minister to the believers in Salmon. However, after less than two years of pastoring, Russell left the church. In August of 1972, Roy Myers became the first resident pastor of the church, establishing numerous traditions, such as youth fellowships, outdoor retreats, and Christmas outreach events. Once again, however, the Lord had new plans for the pastor’s life, and Pastor Myers preached his last sermon in Eagles Hall on June 4, 1972, after nearly 2 years of service to Salmon. The Lord remained faithful to the new church in Salmon and sent Reverend Dick Burns in July of 1972 to become the new pastor. Since the Salmon Valley Baptist Chapel was still renting Eagles Hall for its services, the congregation decided it was time to begin preparations for a new building—though it wouldn’t be built for several more years.  

Once again, the Lord called Salmon Valley Baptist Chapel’s pastor to a new place, and Pastor Burns left the church in 1976. Once again, however, the Lord proved His faithfulness to His followers in Salmon by sending John Rebman to become the new pastor of Salmon Valley Baptist Chapel in 1977. It didn’t take long for Pastor Rebman to recognize the need to continue preparations for a new church building. After countless hours of planning, numerous volunteers, and a few setbacks, the building was finally finished on September 13, 1981. The blessings of God on the now chartered Salmon Valley Baptist Church (SVBC) were evident in the construction of the building: despite a total of $80,000 invested in the new building, the church remained debt free! After serving the church faithfully for 10 years, Pastor Rebman resigned as pastor.  

Just as the Lord was faithful to provide shepherds in the past, He was faithful once again to send a new pastor to SVBC—Bruce Miller. Pastor Bruce helped connect SVBC with numerous other nearby communities by partnering with other pastors to preach and minister as needed. He, along with his wife Leslie, also helped to pioneer a new children’s church program in Salmon. After 8 and a half years of serving SVBC, Pastor Bruce left SVBC to pastor a church in Oklahoma. In need of a new pastor once again, SVBC members sought the Lord in prayer about their church. And, once again, the Lord heard their prayers and responded. Mike Palmer and his family moved to SVBC in April of 1997, and Pastor Mike has been faithfully shepherding SVBC since then. In May of 1998, SVBC members unanimously voted to enlarge the church building; and soon after, the renovations were completed, with the building standing the same then as it does now.

The story of Salmon Valley Baptist Church is one that echoes the faithfulness of God. Time and time again, the Lord heard the prayers of His people in Salmon and responded by doing far more abundantly than they could have asked or imagined. . . and He continues to do that today! May the story of SVBC serve as a reminder of how wonderful and gracious our mighty God is.