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NJBC Church HistoryA number of believers felt the need for a place to worship. In a vision this place was revealed to Sister Harriet Steward and made plain her her a church would be erected. The first service was held in what was known in those days as a Brush Arbor. In the year 1886, a building was erected and called "Hackett's Hill". During this time, several local preachers served.
In the year 1912, Rev. John Smith became the first pastor. Serving as deacons at that time were Brothers: J.T. Braxton, Sr., Ned Holmes, J.T. Braxton, Jr., Robert Fisher, Henry Odds, Emanuel Fisher, H.A. Johnson, and Harry Thompson. The trustees were Brothers: Fisher, A. Paige, J. Thompson, and Bob Pierce. During those early years building and improvement progress was very slow, but Hackett's Hill memories have been passed down and yet linger in the hearts of many. |
In the latter years during the Pastorate of Rev. Smith, the annual revival week of services was conducted by Evangelist Rev. Moses Bushrod. The congregation included people from far and near. The spirit so forcefully dealt with the gathering, services continued for three weeks. Over one hundred souls were baptized and membership added to many churches throughout the surrounding area.
During the year 1931, Rev. Smith was called to eternal rest. Following in leadership as Supply Pastors were Rev. J.R. Penn and Rev. J.H. Green. With the help of God they served faithful to promote progress of the church program.
Years passed, followers passed, and the need for repairing of the building was under consideration and the sheep were without a shepherd. In the year, 1934 Rev. R.F. Spence accepted the call to serve as Pastor. A few years later the erection of the present building began. Rev. Spence, Deacon Odds and Thomas Sydnor cut the first pieces of timber that was to be used from the property of Trustee Bob Pierce. Thus Rev. Spence became one of the founders and the first Pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Serving as deacons at this time were Brother Pierce, Henry Odds, Ulysses Green, George Gaskins, and John Gaskins. After the building was completed Rev. Spence resigned, assuring the membership God would supply the needs of His Church.
Years passed, followers passed, and the need for repairing of the building was under consideration and the sheep were without a shepherd. In the year, 1934 Rev. R.F. Spence accepted the call to serve as Pastor. A few years later the erection of the present building began. Rev. Spence, Deacon Odds and Thomas Sydnor cut the first pieces of timber that was to be used from the property of Trustee Bob Pierce. Thus Rev. Spence became one of the founders and the first Pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Serving as deacons at this time were Brother Pierce, Henry Odds, Ulysses Green, George Gaskins, and John Gaskins. After the building was completed Rev. Spence resigned, assuring the membership God would supply the needs of His Church.
Rev. Moses Bushrod came to serve as Pastor in 1942 and very suddenly he was called away in 1945. Though short, his stay was a spiritual success in every way with the followers. The former Pastor, Rev. Spence returned in 1946 stating he was not too strong physically, but it was his desire to service as an untiring messenger for God and would do his best until further arrangements. After six years and a few months of service his health began to fail and he was called to rest. At this time Rev. J.T. Braxton now deceased, acted as supply minister, servicing faithfully in keeping the membership together. Deacon Thomas Sydnor served as chairperson from the pulpit committee. On several occasions Rev. W.H. Edwards was secured to fill the pulpit committee and soon after with prayerful consideration accepted the call to serve as pastor. Under the leadership of Rev. Edwards new pews and carpets were purchased. The rest rooms were added and adjoining school property was purchased along with additional property to extend the cemetery.
Several ministers served until a new Pastor was secured. In April 1972, Rev. Albert Holmes served as Pastor. On July 8, 1972 he was installed as Pastor. His coming was a great blessing. He was concerned with preaching the true gospel and striving for progress in Christian living in the souls of makind. During his leadership the nurses unit was formed, a piano was purchased. George D. English donated land to the church, the basement was renovated, new lighting was installed, and phase one of our building began.
God blessed us with another son in Ministry in July 1984. Rev. Frank Brooks became our second in the ministry. In December 1984, Pastor Holmes resigned. Under the leadership of Pastor Holmes, many souls were saved and added to the church.
Between 1985 and 1988, the flock made more improvements to the church and continued to pray for a leader. In July 1988, Rev. Claude M. Tate, Jr. accepted the call to serve as Pastor. Under his leadership, five ministers were ordained, eighteen saints were licensed to preach, phase two of the building program was completed, and organ was donated, and under the direction of the late Doctor Herbert L. Veney, new chandeliers were donated in memory of the late Deacon Thomas W. Sydnor. Also the New Jerusalem Baptist Mass Choir, New Life Youth Choir, Youth Ministry, and the Anointed Praise group was formed.
In January 1993, Pastor Tate started the Faith Bible Institute. It provided biblical training for pastors, ministers, deacons, and other layperson desiring a deeper knowledge of God's word.
In 2001, Sister Dora Fauntleroy became our first female to join the Deacon Ministry. New Jerusalem extended its worship ministries in 2002 by opening the doors of an outreach ministry, located in Kilmarnock, VA, under the leadership of Rev. Gerald Smith.
In November 2006, Pastor Tate resigned. The New Jerusalem Church family asked Rev. Gerald Smith to serve as interm Pastor. During the interim, there were some changes in the leaders within the ministries. Although, the leaders may have changed, New Jerusalem continued to be a ministry uplifting God's word.
On June 1, 2007, Rev. Gerald Smith was installed as the Pastor. During this transition, the church theme changed to "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God". Pastor Smith began teaching the congregation the Kingdom Principles. In November 2007, Pastor Smith ordained two ministers to preach the Kingdom message. Minister Milton Robinson was ordained the Youth Pastor and Minister Jacob Plummer became New Jerusalem's Assistant Pastor. During the next few months, several new ministries were birth. A homeless ministry was established in 2008, three new choirs were formed.
On September 26, 2009, the church held a dedication service to celebrate the past and present history of the Hackett's Hill building. In 2009, God called his son, Minister Milton Robinson to shepherd another one of his flocks. Minister Robinson became the Pastor of First Union Rexburg.
Then in January 2010, James Gordon, Jerome Johnson and Helen Plummer were ordained as Deacons. In 2011, God called on of his daughters to the ministry and we ordained Annette Carey. The New Jerusalem Baptist Church family is learning to "get our priorities in order" by rediscovering kingdom building principles. Over the last 130 years, the New Jerusalem Baptist church has weathered many storms. Through them all we have kept God's word and continued to do His will. We cannot and will not let the souls of the people in our community go without hope, encouragement, and the urging of how important it is to acknowledge God as their Lord and Savior.
Several ministers served until a new Pastor was secured. In April 1972, Rev. Albert Holmes served as Pastor. On July 8, 1972 he was installed as Pastor. His coming was a great blessing. He was concerned with preaching the true gospel and striving for progress in Christian living in the souls of makind. During his leadership the nurses unit was formed, a piano was purchased. George D. English donated land to the church, the basement was renovated, new lighting was installed, and phase one of our building began.
God blessed us with another son in Ministry in July 1984. Rev. Frank Brooks became our second in the ministry. In December 1984, Pastor Holmes resigned. Under the leadership of Pastor Holmes, many souls were saved and added to the church.
Between 1985 and 1988, the flock made more improvements to the church and continued to pray for a leader. In July 1988, Rev. Claude M. Tate, Jr. accepted the call to serve as Pastor. Under his leadership, five ministers were ordained, eighteen saints were licensed to preach, phase two of the building program was completed, and organ was donated, and under the direction of the late Doctor Herbert L. Veney, new chandeliers were donated in memory of the late Deacon Thomas W. Sydnor. Also the New Jerusalem Baptist Mass Choir, New Life Youth Choir, Youth Ministry, and the Anointed Praise group was formed.
In January 1993, Pastor Tate started the Faith Bible Institute. It provided biblical training for pastors, ministers, deacons, and other layperson desiring a deeper knowledge of God's word.
In 2001, Sister Dora Fauntleroy became our first female to join the Deacon Ministry. New Jerusalem extended its worship ministries in 2002 by opening the doors of an outreach ministry, located in Kilmarnock, VA, under the leadership of Rev. Gerald Smith.
In November 2006, Pastor Tate resigned. The New Jerusalem Church family asked Rev. Gerald Smith to serve as interm Pastor. During the interim, there were some changes in the leaders within the ministries. Although, the leaders may have changed, New Jerusalem continued to be a ministry uplifting God's word.
On June 1, 2007, Rev. Gerald Smith was installed as the Pastor. During this transition, the church theme changed to "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God". Pastor Smith began teaching the congregation the Kingdom Principles. In November 2007, Pastor Smith ordained two ministers to preach the Kingdom message. Minister Milton Robinson was ordained the Youth Pastor and Minister Jacob Plummer became New Jerusalem's Assistant Pastor. During the next few months, several new ministries were birth. A homeless ministry was established in 2008, three new choirs were formed.
On September 26, 2009, the church held a dedication service to celebrate the past and present history of the Hackett's Hill building. In 2009, God called his son, Minister Milton Robinson to shepherd another one of his flocks. Minister Robinson became the Pastor of First Union Rexburg.
Then in January 2010, James Gordon, Jerome Johnson and Helen Plummer were ordained as Deacons. In 2011, God called on of his daughters to the ministry and we ordained Annette Carey. The New Jerusalem Baptist Church family is learning to "get our priorities in order" by rediscovering kingdom building principles. Over the last 130 years, the New Jerusalem Baptist church has weathered many storms. Through them all we have kept God's word and continued to do His will. We cannot and will not let the souls of the people in our community go without hope, encouragement, and the urging of how important it is to acknowledge God as their Lord and Savior.
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."