About Us

The Divine will of God guided by the Holy Spirit, brought forth a vision to plant a ministry that would comfort the mourning, strengthen the weak, shelter the homeless, pray for the needy, and make disciples for Christ. Therefore, with the strong hand of God in October 1954, the moderator of the Southwest Central District Association, the late Rev. Sykes organized the New Hope Baptist Church. The late Pastor D.W. Taylor and Rev. N. J. Wilson aided the first Worship Service, held in the home of Brother and Sister W.H. Kittling on Hwy 3. The church was so spirit-filled that it grew strong in a short period of time. 

To accommodate the growth Pastor N.J. Wilson conducted a Worship Service in two locations. One service was held at the Old St. James A.M.E. Church located at 27th & Ave. H and the second Worship Service held at New Jerusalem Baptist Church on the corner of Deats Rd. & Ave. F. Every Sunday after the host church completed their Worship Service Pastor N.J. Wilson would lead the New Hope Baptist Church members in a Worship Service with the spirit-filled presence of God. In 1955, the spiritual momentum of the New Hope Baptist Church enabled the church body to purchase two lots. An erected tent used to hold the congregation allowed for continual growth as the plans for a building began. 

The late Rev. Lewis Maxey, a junior Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church laid the foundation for a physical building. Along with him were the first deacons of the church: Sherman Gentry, Dave Ray, W.H. Kittling, and C. Brockett. When it was time to move forward with the new church building, Richard Taylor Construction Company contracted to complete the building. The completion of the building took place in 1956 and New Hope Baptist Church became known as Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. 

The Rev. N. J. Wilson served as founder and Pastor until January 26, 1961, when God called him from labor to reward. The Associate Ministers under the leadership of Pastor Wilson were Ministers: Profay Floyd, Lewis Maxey, M. Dave Ray, and Clarence Guyton.

In January 1961, Rev. Ernest Wisby accepted the position of pastor until his death in July 1965. Under the leadership of Rev. Wisby were Ernest Hall, Hosea Henderson, L. Stanford, and Joe Briscoe. Rev. Robert L. Washington was called and served as pastor from 1965 to 1968. Rev. Washington's deacons were Willie Whitfield, Lowe Gaines, T. C. Limscomb, James Rigsby, and Melvin Dobbins. 

Rev. Frank Celestine was called and served as Pastor from February 1968 until February 1984. Under his leadership, three men accepted their calling into the ministry Rev. Chester Smith, Jr., Rev. Marshall White, and Rev. Leroy Woodard. There were eight men appointed to the office of deacons: Rufus Mitchell, Percy Smith, Carl Moses, Milton McQuillon, Mack Nunn, Melvin Smith, Chester Smith, Sr., and Willie Davis. In addition, the congregation erected a new building and continued to grow. In 1981, additional construction to the church building included a Fellowship Hall and Cafeteria. On the church's 28th anniversary, a dedication of the newly constructed church building took place.

Rev. Marshall E. White accepted the pastorate on April 22, 1984, and held a cornerstone service for the church building. In October 1985, Rev. Quincy Rogers accepted the pastorate and he served until April 1992. In the morning, Worship Services Pastor Rogers incorporated the ministries of “Children Moments” and the “Greater New Hope Kingdom Kids Drill Team.” Pastor Rodgers appointed four men to the office of deacons: Andrew Smith, Robert Evans Sr., Freddie Palmer, and Willie Moore. From April 1992 to August 1992, Rev. James Mitchell of the Southern District Association served as interim Pastor.

August 15, 1992, William Henry King, III under the auspices of the Holy Spirit became the seventh Shepherd of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Frank Celestine of the East Macedonia Baptist Church, Houston, TX, ordained Pastor King. Under Pastor King’s tenure, several ministries were reorganized: General Mission, Male Chorus, Brotherhood, Evangelistic Outreach, and Youth Church. Further, Pastor King organized newly formed ministries including a new women’s ministry (Women’s Intermediate Ministry), Junior Mission, Girls Auxiliary, Shepherd Boys, Junior Deacons, Junior Deaconesses, Mother’s Union, Marriage Ministry, Single’s Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, Tape Ministry, Prison Ministry, A Food Pantry which developed into a Food Distribution Center the first Saturday of every month for the Dickinson Community, Education Ministry, New Members’ Orientation, and Tuesday Mid-Week service for seniors and others.