A Journey of Faith

The First Phase

            The Elm Grove Baptist Church has a rich heritage of worship and service in the Eden Park Community as well as the distant shores of this world.  The church is grounded on a strong sense of from whence weve come, a solid background in Christian Education, and a legacy of positive influence in community affairs.

            The churchs beginnings are found in the home of Brother George and Sister Carrie Walks at 645 North 38the Street (then known as Orange Street) in about June of 1925.  Since its beginnings EGBC has been led by men chose by God.  Those men include: Evangelist I. H. Lusk, Rev. H. ODell, Rev. J. Cyrus, Rev. Joe White, Rev. A. L. Pitcher, Rev. J. R. Williams, and Rev. Errol K. Domingue.  Each one used his God-given abilities to lead the people of God for his season.

The Second Phase

            However, it was under the pastorate of Rev. Williams, who served from 1952 until 2000, that the EGBC experienced its most significant expansion.  Deemed by many as The Walking Encyclopedia, Rev. Williams led the congregation in the institution of membership training institutes, stewardship revivals, city mission schools, interdenominational and inter-racial services, the establishment of a child development center, and missions work in Liberia, West Africa.  In addition, he served as Gods leader when the Lord decided to move the church to its present site and construct a new sanctuary and education building.  Rev. Williams was called from his labor to divine rest in June, 2000.  In July, 2000 the church elected Rev. Domingue as the churchs seventh pastor.

            Today, EGBC continues to build on the legacy of the men and women who gave of themselves to work in this portion of Gods vineyard.  This is still a place where prayers can be heard and mercy can be found  We engage in Spirit-filled corporate worship at least two times per week.  We gather for at least four different Bible Study sessions at the Church, and our Mission Ministry leads Bible Study at individual homes all around the city.  There are approximately 25 official ministries at work and countless other individuals and groups who minister to the needs of Gods people as He provides.  Needless to say, the Grove is a place of continual praise, prayer, proclamation, and ministry.

The Next Phase of Faith

            We look back with pride and admiration and we thank God for the present.  But we know that our charge to keep and the way we glorify God is to press towards the future.  Even now our Church is busy praying, preparing and planning for what we call The Next Phase of Faith.  We are convinced that the Lord has given us a responsibility  a divine mandate to positively impact and transform our community spiritually, morally, and economically.  Therefore, in addition to our spiritual mandates, we are determined to be Gods instruments in the areas of educational initiatives, health care initiatives, and economic development.

            Educationally, our aim is to make sure that everyone we encounter is provided the tools and resources to successfully attain the degree of education in which God has called them.  Our goal is to transform lives (children and adults) by expanding their scholastic knowledge.

            In health care initiatives, our Abundant Living Ministry is actively providing education and resources to improve our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.  We are constantly reaching out to the community with information program as well as hands-on initiatives for healthy living.

            Economically, our goal is to be used by God to deliver His people from debt.  We are determined to develop and successfully operate a for-profit business that will provide jobs, contribute to the economy of the community, and provide a constant stream of revenue for the work of ministry.  We are determined to develop and successfully operate a community development corporation that will provide an avenue to bring back the communion in the community with single-family dwelling properties for ownership.  We are determined to develop and successfully operate a credit union to provide a safe place for members to save and borrow money.  In additional, ministry is provided to assist Gods people in the area of personal financing.

            Above all else, we are striving diligently to exist as disciple-centered church.  Our aim is to fulfill the Great Commandment (love God and our neighbor) and the Great Commission (make disciples, baptize them, and teach them).  We seek to make ourselves available to be used by God to minister the whole person.