Our History
It
was a Friday, July 14, 1944 to be exact, when the hopes and visions of a
small community group materialized into what we know today as Mt.
Hebron Church Ministries, Inc.
For
an entire year that faithful few met in houses, tents, yards or
anywhere the Holy Spirit led them to assemble, until a block tile church
finally rose from the ground on the second block of Victory Avenue in
1945.
Under
the leadership of Rev. Levi Thomas, church membership grew to 160
during his 10-year tenure before Dr. Isaiah H. McPherson became pastor
in November 1955.
It
was during Dr. McPherson's 22 years as pastor that the church
became “The Greater Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church,” grew to its
largest membership to date (415) and even acquired additional property
in 1964 for a parking lot to accommodate the growing congregation.
Rev. Gregory Harris followed Dr. McPherson, becoming pastor on September 10, 1983.
Before he resigned after an 11-year tenure the church acquired adjoining property in anticipation of expansion.
In
the interim two-year period following Rev. Harris' departure the church
was led by the deacon's council while a pastoral search was underway.
That search came to an end in February 1996, when Joseph F. Johnson became pastor.
He
was officially installed on Sunday, March 24, 1996 and in his first
five years as pastor membership (which had dipped to 200) grew to 1,100.
Over
40 ministries were soon added to meet the needs of not only a
blossoming membership, but those of the surrounding communities as well.
And in January 2001, heeding humility to the call, the church name became Mt Hebron Missionary Baptist Church.
One
year later, three Elders were installed, 23 new ministers were added
and the Community Development Center (CDC) was begun to focus community
outreach on a much larger scale.
In 2002 ground was broken for a new Family Life Center and it also marked the first year of the children's Summer Day Camp.
Ministries
increased to over 50, membership reached over 1800 and on May 19, 2003,
the Mt. Hebron Christian Child Development Center opened.
It
was June 2004 when Mt. Hebron extended its reach, this time into
foreign missions with the support of a Brazilian church. Two years
later, that mission extended into the African nation of Kenya.
In July of 2006, Mt. Hebron Church Ministries officially
became the church's name it enjoys today and we continue to be thankful
to God for His continued Mercy, Grace, steadfast love and faithfulness.