Morning Star Baptist Church
About
Our Mission
The purpose of this church shall be the Glorification of God through the proclamation to all the world of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation; the preaching and teaching of the whole council of God as revealed by the Holy Scriptures; the holy worship of the triune God in word, music and deed; the administration of the Ordinances of the New Testament; the establishment of Christian education; and exercise of charitable care for the family and beyond.
Our Beliefs
Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, and this assembly host solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this Church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of, and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and Christian courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
Our History
- Once the Union Soldiers left and the Freeman’s Bureau closed, the church became a beacon of hope for newly freed people. Samuel Richardson organized the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in 1884 under a scuppernong arbor. The church later built a log structure commonly known as the “tick” church. Additional land was purchased in 1887.
- Reverend Robert Russell was called to serve the church in 1888, a new building was completed that same year. In 1903 the church purchased land for a cemetery.
- In 1912 Reverend Tom Knight completed the year as Interim Pastor.
- Reverend J. M. Lynum was called as Pastor in 1913. He launched a building program, and in 1918 a new brick structure was completed. Reverend Lynum died in 1931.
- In 1931 Reverend Nelson H. Smith was called. He added many auxiliaries to the church. In 1952 classrooms and a pastorium were built. Reverend Smith resigned in 1961.
- Accepting the call, Reverend John O. Malone, Sr. became Pastor of Morning Star in 1962. Being an educator, Reverend Malone started a Head Start program at Rosenwald School, and a kindergarten program at Morning Star Baptist Church. Under his leadership, the church’s current edifice was completed in 1969. Reverend Malone resigned in 1974.
- Rev. George Pulliam served as Interim Pastor.
- In 1975 Morning Star called Reverend Alfonzia Williams, Sr. to serve. Worship service was extended to every Sunday in the month. Under his leadership the parking lot was paved, the church was carpeted, and additional land was purchased. Reverend Williams resigned in 1999.
- Reverend R. Keith Lett served as Interim Pastor until he was called as Pastor in December 1999. The church renovated the restrooms to ADA compliance, updated kitchen equipment and replaced an air conditioner. Rev. Lett resigned in January 2001.
- Reverend Eric T. Andrews served as Interim Pastor until December 2001.
- In January of 2002 Reverend John A. Tucker was asked to come and preach until a Pastor was called. In June 2002, Reverend John A. Tucker accepted the call as Pastor of Morning Star. Numerous improvements were made under Rev. Tucker’s leadership. New ministries were also added and four associate ministers, Reverends Henry McCaskill, Barry Coleman, Frisher Walker and Charlie Shedrone, joined us.
- The arrival of COVID caused the Church to make several changes. As the disease spread, the congregation attended services virtually and then transitioned to parking lot worship. Through technology, the Sunday school classes, prayer meeting, BTU and Mission Circles remained active. As the disease declined, the congregation returned to the Sanctuary.
- In December 2022, Pastor Tucker announced his retirement after twenty years of faithful service to our congregation and community. In April of 2023, The Church selected Rev. Duran Odoms to serve as Pastor. The inception of Rev. Odoms’ pastorate has been marked with spirit-filled sermons and a great sense of unity among members. As we begin a new chapter in our Church, our prayer is that the Lord be forever glorified and, as He increases our territory, we give Him thanks and praise.