THE NEW MT. VERNON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

​​Highlights of our Church History

In 1925 our church began as a Sunday School with Rev. C. C. Bates as organizer.  The first deacons of this newly established local church were Brothers Clarence Hicks, Charlie Daniels, Jack Stepp and Clay Mitchell. Some of the first members were Desby Jackson, Emma Williams, Willie Ann Austin, Minister and Mrs. Hicks. Sis. Hicks was the first president of the Missionary Society, and she also submitted the name New Mt. Vernon. Among the first candidates for baptism were Rose Adams and Gussie Mae Austin-Dade.

1928-1937  J.M. Hartwick served as pastor of the church for nine fruitful years. He continued the worship services in the portable school slightly more than one year. The fellowship felt keenly the need for their own house of worship, and a building was bought in 1929 and placed on the lots purchased under Pastor Bates.

1938 E.L. Phillips was called as pastor in June.

S.M. Thomas was called as pastor in August 1939. At that time, G.L. Thompson was called as assistant pastor.  In 1940 during the tenure of Pastor Thomas the basement of the old building was constructed. The pastor and people worked diligently to maintain a high degree of fellowship and worship. The total church membership grew. At the end of seven year of fruitful and effective ministry, Pastor S.M. Thomas was called from labor to reward on December 25, 1947.

On April 11, 1948 the membership was directed by the Holy Spirit to call R.J. Cunningham, an associate minister of the church, as pastor. During the leadership of Pastor Cunningham construction was completed on the old building and the mortgage was burned  in June of 1957.  On May 17, 1960 the Lord called our beloved Pastor R.J. Cunningham, unto Himself to spend eternity with Him.

December 16, 1960 Pastor J.L. Webb accepted the call to serve as pastor of The New Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. Early in his pastorate, Pastor Webb made many renovations to the old building. On August 31, 1969 we broke ground for a new worship center. May 1, 1971 was the day construction actually began. Again, the pastor and members worked diligently and on November 28, 1971 we entered the new church.  The mortgage was burned in November of 1983. 

Pastor Webb’s anointed vision led us forward in the work of the Lord. He placed great emphasis on Soul-Winning/Evangelism, leading the Soul Winning Team every Saturday as they canvased neighborhoods door-to-door with the good news of Jesus Christ.  The church buses would pick-up anyone who requested a ride to church.  He also believed in ministering to people at their point of need and programs were developed and implemented for seniors, adults, adolescents, children and babies.  The church grew exponentially, during Pastor Webb’s tenure: numerically, spiritually, emotionally, financially.  He developed and executed many community outreach programs: Community Clothing Closet, Food Bank, Thanksgiving Food Baskets to the Needy and Christmas Coats for Kids.

Family Nights allowed parents and children to gather for discussion of topics of interest, Bible study and gave the children an opportunity to showcase their talents and interests. Pastor Webb held a special place in his heart for children.  Every Sunday, at the designated time during morning worship, children would leave Children’s Church to enter the main sanctuary when they would have an opportunity to share the special events of their week with the Pastor and church.  At report card time, children who had worked hard and earned exceptional grades were rewarded.

Equally, he loved the Seniors and would provide each of them with a monthly stipend to help them make ends meet from month to month.  Pastor Webb was a man of  God whose heart was to see New Mt. Vernon develop into a local church that modeled the early church in faith and practice.

In November of 2005 Pastor Webb retired from the day to day duties of the pastorate.  On October 26, 2008 the Lord called our beloved, Pastor J.L. Webb, from labor to reward.

October 2009 James E. Flakes was appointed to serve as Interim Pastor.  In February 2010 he was called to serve as Pastor.

​After two years of observation on April 29, 2018, the call was made to Rev. Jeremy K. Moseley to the Pastorate of The New Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist.  During his time serving as Presiding Interim Pastor, the church has seen increases in membership, morale and the free flow of the Holy Spirit has returned to our worship experiences and Bible study periods.  We are now solidly moving forward in the work of Lord, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God once again goes forth from this place!

We thank the Divine Providence of God for a rich and glorious history.  We look to the future knowing that His administration guides us to greater works, and we remain prayerful that God will continue to strengthen us to successfully meet the challenges of ministry in the 21st century as we look to His soon return.

"'Twas grace that brought us save thus far, and grace will lead us on," 

What We Believe - Articles of Faith

I. The Scriptures.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.

II. The True God.
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

III. The Fall of Man.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

IV. The Way of Salvation.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

V. Justification.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.

VI. The Freeness of Salvation.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

VII. Regeneration.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.

VIII. Repentance and Faith.
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our prophet, priest and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

IX. God's Purpose of Grace.
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.

X. Sanctification.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

XI. Perseverance of the Saints.
We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
 
XII. The Law and Gospel.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.

XIII. A Gospel Church.
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

XIV. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
 
XV. The Christian Sabbath.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

XVI. Civil Government.
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
 
XVII. Righteous and Wicked.
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.

XVIII. The World to Come.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.