1913 – 1932
Milford Riggs, Founder
May 6, 1913: First Home in Ironton opens its doors
1917: Home recognized by state convention
1919: 175 acres purchased for future Home in Arcadia Valley
1923: new Home completed
1932 – 1953
D.J. Scott, Superintendent
April 1935: Home is sold on the courthouse steps
June 1935: Home is purchased back “for $1 and other considerations”
1953 – 1974
John Burney, Superintendent
1972: Superintendent reports “no indebtedness on any Home property”
1975 – 1996
Edward Goodwin, Executive Director
1977: Legal name changed to “The Baptist Home”
1981: Trustees establish Revocable Trust Fund, basis for new admission policy
1984: 38 acres purchased for new home in Chillicothe
1988: The Baptist Home – Chillicothe opens its doors
1995: Land is purchased in Ozark for a new Baptist Home
1997 – 2005
Larry Johnson, President
1997: The Baptist Home – Ozark opens its doors
2000: The Baptist Home Foundation was created
2006 – 2019
Steven Jones, President
2007: 3-bedroom patio homes are completed and a new Return of Equity agreement initiated
2008: Campus plans completed for all three campuses
2014: Land is purchased in Ashland for a new Baptist Home
2019: 14 independent living duplexes available to rent. First two residents move on campus in June.
2020 – Present
Dr. Rodney Harrison, President
Seventh President of The Baptist Home
On April 3, 2020, the Board of Trustees of The Baptist Home unanimously voted to confirm Dr. Rodney Harrison as the organization’s seventh president in its 112-year history. Dr. Harrison had been serving as transitional president since December 2019.
Before his leadership at The Baptist Home, Dr. Harrison spent 18 years at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, where he held a variety of roles, including Vice President, Dean of Postgraduate Studies, and Dean of Academic Strategy. Additionally, he and his wife, Julie, served as appointed missionaries with the North American Mission Board from 1995 to 2003.
Dr. Harrison brings a wealth of experience in healthcare and administrative leadership to his role as president. His academic background includes an RN from Arrowhead College School of Nursing (1983), a Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Administration from Dallas Baptist University (1986), a Master of Arts from Gateway Baptist Seminary (1995), and a Doctorate in Mission Administration (1999).
In addition to his leadership at The Baptist Home, Dr. Harrison has made significant contributions to the Missouri Baptists, serving as Interim President of Hannibal-LaGrange University and as a consultant to all three Missouri Baptist colleges. He is the author of numerous books, articles, and academic papers.
Dr. Harrison and Julie live and oversee a farm from a log home they lovingly restored. The Harrisons are active members of First Baptist Church in Kearney. They are proud parents of three children and enjoy the joy of ten grandchildren.
Dr. Harrison is available to speak and preach at local churches, associations, and civic gatherings. To schedule Dr. Harrison for speaking engagements, please contact Susan Braams at 573-556-0338 or sbraams@bhhm.org.
