OF THE NEW LIGHT BAPTIST CHURCH
October 13, 2002
(79 years of faithful services to the Lord)

     The first call for pastoral duties was extended to the late Rev. S. H. Hubbard, who graciously accepted and served from 1923-1925. He and the members worshipped in a small house on Ash Street and later moved to another site located on Magnolia Street which is now known as North Treadaway. 

     Through his many years of devoted service, Rev. S. H. Hubbard gained the reputation of being a Christian gentleman and a very hard worker. He did much to encourage the members of the church and others to continue toward the road to victory through Christ.

     Rev. John McDowell was called to pastor the church in 1925. There are no records of the activities that transpired during this time frame but the assumption has been made that progress did continue. Rev. McDowell was known by many through his service as Moderator of the Progressive Association and the Sun Set Association. His leadership ability was quite commendable during his pastorship which ended in 1927. Some of his relatives were Mrs. E. A. Sims, Mrs., Gertie Martin, and Mrs. Claudia Gilford.

     In 1927, Rev. R. F. Bonner was called to pastor the church and immediately after accepting the offer, construction was started on a tabernacle. The foundation for the structure was laid by contractors but the building was constructed by the pastor with the aid of the members since they could not afford to have it done. The church increased numerically and spiritually. Rev. Bonner served until 1948.

     During the interim and before Rev. Rice came in 1949, Rev. J. L. Dawson and Rev. W. L. Brown assisted New Light but neither were pastors of the church. Rev. Rice pastored only a few months before his demise. 

     After many years of trials and tribulations, another site for New Light Baptist Church was purchased. With the development and expansion of the site, there was a need for a Trustee Board; the following persons were selected to serve: Brothers Willie Turnerhill, Robert (Dude) Williams, and Rufus Jordan Patterson. The first deacons were: Brothers Elijah Gamble, first to be ordained, James Stephen, Cleveland Watkins, and Alton Hurd. The first church musician was Mrs. Anna Mannuel.

     During this same time, Rev. Alton Hurd was called as pastor and the church showed continued and steady increase. Under Rev. Hurd's leadership and faithfulness, the members of the church and the community joined forces and constructed a beautiful church valued at $82,000. In his thirty six years as pastor he has inspired many to accept Christ and to live better Christian lives.

     He has ordained three ministers, and several deacons. The ministers ordained were Rev. Aaron Mackey, Rev. A. W. Penns and Rev. Leo F. Scott.

     Rev. Hurd served as president of the Ministerial Alliance, vice-president of the United Political Organization, a member of the Board of Directors for the Community Action Program, a member of the Board of Directors for the Y. M. C. A., Vice-Moderator of the Progressive West Texas Baptist Association for eight years and Moderator for four years. It was Pastor Hurd who started the Senior Citizens Christmas Gift Program which is still actively in place. Pastor Hurd was summoned to his heavenly home December 31, 1985.

     The church was without a pastor for one month. The Rev. Leo F. Scott was called as pastor February 2, 1986.

     Under Pastor Scott's leadership, accomplishments have been great. The Alton Hurd Education Building and parking lot was completed and dedicated on December 2, 1990. The cost of this project was $300,000.00. The church family paid this indebtedness off within six years. A fifteen passenger Van was purchased at a cost of $18, 260.78 in 1992. New heating and air conditioning system was installed in the original facility at a cost of $17, 715.00. Four pieces of property was purchased at a value of 23, 000.00.

     In 1997 our church received a gift of property valued at 25, 000. 00 and was sold for 23, 000.00.

     Pastor Scott was elected second vice moderator and Assistant Pastor Eddie Jordan was elected Congress vice president of the Progressive West Baptist District Association during the July, 1998 annual session which was hosted by the New Light Baptist Church Abilene, Texas. He was also elected as 1 st Vice President of the Greater Abilene Ministers Alliance.

     He ordained three ministers, five deacons and appointed three deacons. The ministers ordained were Rev. Eddy Hays, Rev. Larry Kimbrough, and Rev. Utah L. Floyd, Jr. The deacons were Deacon Earnest Merritt, Deacon John Williams, Deacon John D. Perry, Deacon Charles Stuart, and Deacon Larry Kimbrough. The appointed deacons were Deacon Henry Flint, Deacon Charles Newman, and Deacon Joe Hammond.

     Pastor Scott retired from pastoring March 7, 1999, due to health reasons, and was appointed as Senior Pastor Advisor to our present Pastor, the Reverend Eddie Jordan.

     March 7, 1999 our Assistant Pastor for nine years (9) The Reverend Eddie Jordan became the Seventh Pastor in the Seventy Nine years (79) history of The New Light Missionary Baptist Church.

     The installation Worship Services for Reverend Eddie Jordan were held April 11, 1999 at 2:30 P. M. where the Dr. Matthew Scott, Pastor of The Greater New Light Baptist Church, Rantoul, III delivered the Keynote address, "Don't Fall Out On Your Way Home" (Gen. 45:24) along with many other programmed guests.

     Under Pastor Jordan's leadership God has added 88 new members to His Kingdom. Twenty Six of these members were candidates for baptism. God has also allowed our pastor to lead the church family into a complete and beautiful remodeling of the Lady's Lounge in 1999. In 2000, Forty additional new parking slots were added to the exiting parking lot, and a new Outdoor Bulletin Board were installed, and dedicated back to the Lord June 25, 2000. The total cost of these projects were $34, 419.90.

     Pastor Jordan was installed as President of the Greater Abilene Ministers Alliance In January 2000. He also was installed as the Progressive West Texas Baptist District Association Congress and BTU President in the Fall Board Meeting September 28, 2002.

     The New Light Neon sign was restored which cost $758.00. In June 2001 the Sanctuary facility was completely recovered with Vinyl Siding which cost $5,190.00.

     In March 1996 a Televised program featuring our Assistant pastor Eddie Jordan, now our Pastor, delivering the Sunday school lessons each Saturday at 12:00 o' clock mid-night to 12:30 A. M. and is aired on channel 16 (Fox) and Channel 54 and has now ended after 5 years. This program was sponsored by Chong and Henry Flint Services, Inc. and Henry Flint, I AM Communications, Inc. and we are grateful to God for their sponsorship.

     Our pastor is the author of an Incentive Program called "Super Stars For Christ" which allows our Sunday school participants to be recognized monthly and concludes with an annual Sunday School Banquet honoring those who have demonstrated their faithfulness. December 9th of this year, culminated the eleventh year for this special program.

     His leadership was of great evidence when he lead the New Light Baptist Church family to a wonderful fellowship with the First United Missionary Baptist Church family in Indianola, Mississippi August 3-5, 2002.

     Pastor Jordan has an excellent Senior Pastor Advisor, two Associate Ministers Rev. Gregory Ayers, Sr. and Rev. Leon E. Whaley, Jr. and six deacons, Deacon William Johnson, Chairman, Deacon Joe Hammond, (Church Treasurer) Deacon Willie Andrews, Deacon John D. Perry, Deacon Charles Stuart, Deacon Henry Flint, and three trustees, Bro T. C. Barney, Chairman, Deacon John D. Perry, and Deacon Charles Stuart.

     Also serving with Pastor Jordan are a thirty-seven member mass choir, a thirty member youth choir, a fifteen member male chorus, two adult usher teams, one youth usher team, and one male usher team, thirty seven direct support persons, a fantastic office staff and approximately a two-hundred and Fifty member church family.

     For these accomplishments, we give God the praise, the honor and the glory for 79 wonderful years.