History

History of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church 1868
(Constantly adding as God gives the increase)

This church was first organized in the early spring of 1868, under a large oak tree, west of the Spring Bank Ferry. The Rev. Westky Godfrey, along with Deacons Henry Simington and Isaiah Henderson organized the church. Services were held there until fall weather came. The church was moved to an old warehouse north of the oak tree at Collins Bluff, where it remained until the Spring of 1870, then the services were moved to a dwelling house near the New Hope Cemetery location. At this time, James D. Blanton and Henry Simington each donated an acre of land for the church building and cemetery purposes. The first church was built and dedicated to God in the early spring of 1870. During the summer of 1870, the first school of the Kiblah community for colored people was held in this building. The church stayed at this location until 1900. Around this time about all the original founders had died. The members decided it would be best to move to a place of more convenience for the membership. The church purchased two acres of land one and a half-mile southeast from the cemetery. Another church building was built in 1900.

The Rev. Wade M. Reid became pastor in 1900 and the church was under his leadership until 1901. Early pastors of New Hope Baptist Church include the Rev. Oscar Mothershed and Rev. Dawson W. Wyms. Under Pastor Wyms, the building burned the first Saturday in January 1924. Services were now held in the school. Rev. Wyms and the membership decided it would be more beneficial for the church building to be located in the center of the community. Under Pastor Wyms, the New Hope Baptist Church was erected where the former church parking lot was and services were held in this building on the first Sunday in June 1925. At this time the Spirit awakened the people with new courage to do more work for the Lord under the leadership of Pastor Wyms. Rev. Dawson. W. Wyms served faithfully as the New Hope Baptist Church pastor for twenty-two years until his home going in September 1927. The following men of God were pastors of the New Hope Baptist Church – J.S. Teamer, Grant W. Perkins, Otis Winkley, N.E. Jones, and Raymond Cox. Under the pastorate of Rev. Grant Perkins it was decided to build another church building and the first worship services held in this building was the first Sunday of May 1941.Rev. Kenneth N. Reid accepted the pastorate of New Hope Baptist Church and was installed on May 21, 1995. It was under this pastorate that New Hope’s church doors were opened every Sunday. The church building was remodeled and we also re-entered the Ozan District Baptist Association and an Adult Men’s Sunday school class was began. God inspired Pastor Reid that a new building should be built under Pastor Reid. In June 1997, Rev. Kenneth Reid resigned and on September 27, 1997, the Rev. David E. Boone, Sr. became the pastor of New Hope and was officially installed on January 18, 1998. God gave Pastor Boone the vision that a new church building was needed, a building equipped to meet the growing needs of the people, but the church must become spiritually sound. The pastor’s vision is always present before us. To accomplish the vision God gave to Pastor Boone to build a new church building, a debt free building; there was the purchase of five acres of land, south of the former church’s location.On March 2, 20000 the Nail Benders for Jesus, and Arkansas construction ministry, began construction on our new church building. We believed God and entered in this building debt free. On January 14, 2001, we dedicated this edifice to God and entered this church, debt free and the Rev. Samuel A. Stuckey preached the dedication service of this church building. Pastor Boone has the God given vision of this church being a light in this community and surrounding area. To accomplish this, the Church has purchased 2 vans to assist in transportation of the people from neighboring communities.New Hope is recognized as a 501C3 non-profit organization by the federal government. This ministry is certified on the local and state level as a food pantry for the surrounding communities. In 2002, the parking lot was completed. We are constantly growing physically and most of all spiritually. Under the guidance and leadership of Pastor Boone, the following have launch their ministries, Perry Williams in August in August 1998, Edd Feltus in May 2002, Richard Davis, Sr. in February 2003, Adrian Tyson in July 2003, Yvonne Boone in July 2004 and Jean Tyson in December 2004, Kelly Munerlyn, Arma Patton and Karen Tyson in July 2005, and Almatine Nelson launched her ministry in August 2005. On September 18, 2005, Minister Terry Lewis joined New Hope and on February 5, 2006, Minister John J. Harris also joined the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. In addition, the following were ordained Deacons, Henry Simington in February 1999, Richard Harris, Jr. in January 2000 and Hurtis Gulley in January 2004. On May 7, 2005, Donnie Tyson was set aside for appointment as a deacon.The vision of the family life center is before us, one acre of land and the architectural plans have been purchased. On May 17, 2005, the groundbreaking ceremony of the family life center was held. New Hope is definitely a church called to fulfill people needs, both physical and spiritual. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church is a life-changing ministry, ministering unto the spirit, soul and the body of a person. It is our vision to see lives changed according unto the Word of God. We, New Hope Baptist Church, will be that “light on hill that can not be hid.”