From humble beginnings in 1958 to major advances in the field of aging services, Baptist Village Communities (BVC) is celebrating 65 years of enabling and empowering senior adults through service to God and one another.
“This exceptional 65-year milestone has been achieved through God’s grace and the hard work and dedication of 600 servant-minded team members,” said Bill Pierce, longtime BVC president. “BVC and Oklahoma Baptists are dedicated to advancing the Gospel by offering quality housing and healthcare services to senior adults. We are honored that so many have chosen to live in a BVC community, and we do everything we can to make it the best experience possible.”
What started as an idea by God in the hearts of two dedicated Baptists, Will and Nora Baskett, has grown to be the largest not-for-profit provider of senior housing and services in Oklahoma.
The Basketts’ donated 68-acres of land in Hugo and rallied the residents of southeastern Oklahoma to raise $65,000. Oklahoma Baptists donated the remaining $35,000 to complete the project. Construction of Baptist Village of Hugo began in November 1958.
Over the next 26 years, God provided and people generously donated land and financial gifts allowing BVC to expand locations to include Oklahoma City, Owasso, Lake Texoma, Ada, Cleveland and Okmulgee.
In 2003, BVC and Broken Arrow, First broke ground to provide a campus in Broken Arrow—another example of Oklahoma Baptists working together. Baptist Village of Broken Arrow opened in 2010.
To accommodate the growing need for memory support and senior living services in western Oklahoma, BVC constructed a campus in Elk City in 2016. The land was provided to BVC by Elk City, First.
Blessings continued, and in 2017, BVC acquired residential living campuses in Cordell, Grove and Miami. These villages allowed BVC to increase support for senior living needs in rural Oklahoma.
BVC provides services to more than 1,500 residents daily on 11 campuses across the state. BVC campuses offer residential living, assisted living, rehabilitation, memory support and long-term care. In addition, BVC operates Entrusted Hearts Help at Home—providing personalized in-home services to more than 1,000 people.
Most recently, BVC launched The Bill and Susan Pierce Institute for Transforming Life Expectancies. Named in recognition of the Pierce’s 33 years of serving BVC, the Institute will provide focused help to minister to senior adults more effectively in and outside the local church.
“We have many to thank for helping BVC reach this milestone,” Pierce said. “We would not be here without God’s call and provision, our residents, a great team, friends of BVC, Oklahoma Baptists and a sincere desire to serve others. BVC was founded on a call from God to enhance lives by offering a safe and secure place for senior adults to live, while opening their hearts and minds to continue to serve God in retirement.”
Baptist Village Communities is a Cooperative Program ministry of Oklahoma Baptists. BVC continues to be a leader in the rapidly changing field of aging services. The mission is to enhance lives by creating opportunities to serve God and others. BVC campuses remain affordable, with a focus on moderate income Oklahomans. More information can be found at baptistvillage.org.
