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THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church 

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In the year 1895, the property on which Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church (MOMBC), Rocky Mount NC stands was acquired.  In December 1903, a deed was made to the trustees and was voluntarily signed on December 16, 1903.

 

In 1910, under the leadership of Reverend Drake (1st Pastor) and with the determination of several community members, a Bush Harbor was constructed.  MOMBC was founded to meet the spiritual thirst of the Black Community as well as the social, political, and economical needs.  The first church structure was established in 1911 and the membership grew from the family members within the community.

 

Under the leadership of Reverend Bozzie Thorne (2nd Pastor), membership continued to grow and the first committees were formed: Deacon Board, Mother Board, and Usher Board.  In the mid to late 50s, Reverend Thorne sought the services of a Reverend Battle to come and serve as the first and only Assistant Pastor to date.  That Assistant Pastor, the Reverend George E. Battle, Sr., became the 3rd Pastor in 1959.  Under Reverend Battle’s leadership, the following was accomplished:

  • 1972: Deacons John Jenkins & William Tyson led the charge to build the current building;

  • 1977: additional acre of land was purchased for parking, fellowship (dining) hall, and enclosed vestibule (front porch);

  • 1996: “the Administrative Wing” was built consisting of 3 classrooms (one of which was converted to the secretary’s office), pastor’s study, men’s & women’s restrooms, and a covered carport;

  • Annual Church Family & Friends’ Fun Day; VBS; weekly Bible Study;

  • Ministries: Laymen’s League, Missionary Circle (which included Food Distribution), Nursing Home, Prison, Hospitality, Scholarship, Nurse’s Aide, Transportation, and Sisterhood

  • Music: Male Chorus, original GB Gospel Chorus, Young Adult Chorus, Jr. Male Chorus, Sunshine Band;

  • Moved from one Sunday a month (2nd Sunday) to two Sundays (4th) to three Sundays (1st at 8:00 am in 2002) to all four Sundays (3rd was added in 2003);

  • Seven sons of the church were called to the preaching ministry:

    • Rev. (Pastor) E. Wayne Hines (1977), Rev. (Retired Pastor) William Holloway (1978), Rev. (a former Pastor) Bronchie Hart (1991), Rev. Archie Whitehead (1999), Rev. Donald Battle (2001), Rev. (a former Pastor) Melvin Davis (2003), and Minister Keith Lucas (2013);

  • 2002: land was acquired that had “The Church House” that was unfortunately destroyed by fire in 2013.

 

Rev. Battle retired in 2015 after serving as Pastor for 56 years and was distinguished as Pastor Emeritus until the time of his death on July 30, 2017.

 

Reverend Malcolm A. Eatmon became the 4th and current pastor on March 1, 2017 and was installed on July 16th of the same year.  He introduced the Theme, “We Believe in Church” and our Vision “Go ~ Teach ~ Baptize ~ Love” which is founded on the 5 common Purposes of the Church (Evangelize, Disciple, Fellowship, Worship, Minister) based on “The Great Commission” and “The Great Commandment” found in Matthew 28:18-20; 22:35-40.  We continue to expect God to do awesome things through MOMBC now and in future generations. 

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CHURCH COVENANT 

 

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 Ghost (Spirit), we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most 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 ordinances, discipline, and doctrine; to faithfully attend its services of worship; 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. In case of difference of opinion the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern. 

 

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings; faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of our Savior; to make Christ first in all things both spiritual and temporal. To avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and 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 courteous 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 the Word of God.

ARTICLES OF FAITH 

 

(What We Believe) 

 

~ SCRIPTURES ~ We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction with God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. 

 

~ TRUE GOD ~ We believe 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 and that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit). 

 

~ FALL OF MAN ~ We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of God; but by voluntary offenses fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners by choice. 

 

~ SALVATION ~ We believe that the salvation of sinners is solely by grace; through the Son of God who by his death made a full atonement for our sins. 

 

~ BORN AGAIN ~ We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated (born again); that being born again consists in giving a holy nature to the mind and the evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life. 

 

~ REPENTANCE & FAITH ~ We believe that these two are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces; so being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. 

 

~ GRACE ~ We believe that the eternal purpose of God is to regenerate, sanctify, and save sinners and that is the foundation of Christian assurance. 

 

~ SANCTIFICATION ~ We believe that this is a process by which we are made partakers of his holiness and it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. 

 

~ PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS ~ We believe that only real believers endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors.

 

~ LAW & GOSPEL ~ We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; he delivers us from the love of sin and through Jesus Christ we reach the great end of the Gospel. 

 

~ CHURCH ~ We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation (assembly) of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. 

 

~ BAPTISM & LORD’S SUPPER ~ We believe that the two ordinances defined in the Scriptures are baptism: immersion in water of a believer, into the Trinity; and the Lord’s Supper: members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine (juice), are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ. 

 

~ SABBATH ~ We believe that the first day of the week (Sunday) is the Lord’s Day/Christian Sabbath and is to be kept sacred unto God. 

 

~ CIVIL GOVERNMENT ~ We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society and that elected/appointed officials are to be prayed for consistently and followed, except when following is opposed to the will of God. 

 

~ RIGHTEOUS & WICKED ~ We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked and except through the justification in the name of Jesus can one be esteemed truly righteous in His sight. 

 

~ WORLD TO COME ~ We believe that the end of the world is approaching and at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, raise the dead from the grave, a solemn separation will take place, the wicked will receive endless punishment, and the righteous will receive endless joy.

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