Church Announcements - October 9, 2016

EVERY TUESDAY:  Please join your church family for A CALL TO PRAYER by accessing our Conference Call Line every Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.  The number is 302-202-1112, Access Code 801177.  These calls will last 15 minutes and our goal is to have 50 members on the Prayer Call every week, so SET YOUR ALARMS!

CONFIDENTIAL PRAYER VOICEMAIL AND EMAIL:  Please submit your confidential prayer request by calling 641-715-3900, Access Code 784459 or by emailing your request to oakgroveprays@gmail.com.  Only Pastor Flippin will have access to this voicemail and email and will respond promptly.

MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATION CLASS is held every 2^nd and 3^rd Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  This class is for new members and serves as a refresher class for existing members.  A Certificate of Completion will be given after attending both classes.  For more information, please see Rev. Gwen Warren.

EVERY WEDNESDAY:  Bible Study is held every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.  Lesson printouts are available in the wall tray located outside Pastor Flippin’s office.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY:  The Potomac River Baptist Association Community Outreach Day will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Nanjemoy Land on Friendship Landing Road.  There will be food distribution, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks, singing, and inspirational messages.  

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS:  We will be sponsoring a short presentation about Breast Cancer Awareness immediately following the morning service on October 16.  All members are encouraged to wear pink to show your support.

NEXT EXECUTIVE PRBA BOARD MEETING will be held Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at Ritchie Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, MD.

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING will be held October 22, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Rd, Nanjemoy, MD.

YOUTH CHOIR REHEARSAL will be held November 15^th and 22^nd at 7:00 p.m.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD:  Oak Grove is participating with Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child “Missions with a Shoebox” to spread the Gospel through the world with Christmas gifts for children.  We are collecting donations of NEW:  bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths, deodorant and other toiletries, small toys and school supplies.  The items must fit in a shoebox.  Please remember, we cannot send liquids or any toys associated with war.  Our goal is to prepare 30 shoeboxes.  Please leave your items and shoeboxes in the vestibule near the water fountain through November 13^th.  If you have any questions, please see Sister LaDonna Dingle. 

SUSAN G. KOMEN FUNDRAISER:  First Lady Kendall Flippin will be hosting a Pink Zumbathon to raise awareness and funds for the Susan G. Komen Research Fund on October 29, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, 3845 South Capitol Street, SE, Washington, D.C.  Please come out to support First Lady!

SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION ACTIVITIES FOR OCTOBER 2016:  All Activities for October will be held at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Road, Nanjemoy, MD  20662. 

Executive Board Meeting -- Saturday, October 22^nd @ 9:00 a.m. 

Youth Harvest Night -- Friday, October 28^th @ 7:00 p.m. Please Share and Invite Others!  This Activity will benefit the Union's Scholarship Fund! 

Union Sunday Services -- Sunday, October 30^th @ 9:30 a.m. 

 Follow us on Facebook:   www.facebook.com/WelcometoOGMBC 

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SISTER CHURCHES

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 2645 Marshall Hall Rd., Bryans Road.  

Annual Fall Revival runs October 12-14, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.  Rev. C.A. Thompson of Mount Rona Missionary Baptist Church of Washington, D.C., will be the guest preacher.  Oak Grove is invited as special guests on Thursday night, October 13^th.  Let’s show our support by attending.

MOUNT HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy

Youth Revival will be held on Friday, October 21, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.  Our own Rev. Gwen Warren will be the guest preacher. The theme is “It’s Harvest Time.”   

PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5560 Pleasant Grove Rd., Marbury

Food Pantry On The Go:  Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 

NEW LIFE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 6635 Indian Head Hwy., Indian Head, MD

Annual Fall Revival October 12-14 at 7:30 p.m.  Rev. James W. Jones, Youth Pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, Clinton, MD, will be the guest preacher. Oak Grove is invited on Friday night, October 14^th, so let’s show our support by attending. 

MT. ENNON BAPTIST CHURCH, 9832 Piscataway Road, Clinton

Meals-To-Go will be provided on Saturday, October 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please help spread the word. 

METROPOLITAN UMC, 5605 Chicamuxen Road, Indian Head

145th Anniversary:  Alexandria Chapel UMC will be celebrating their 145^th anniversary on October 22-23, 2016.  The Anniversary Banquet will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Metropolitan UMC, 5605 Chicamuxen Road, Indian Head.  Banquet Tickets are $15.00 per person.  On Sunday, October 23, 2016 at 3:00 p.m., Pastor Flippin will be the Guest Preacher for the Anniversary Worship Service.

RITCHIE BAPTIST CHURCH, 1706 Sansbury Rd., Upper Marlboro

Annual Fall Revival will be held October 26-28, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.  The guest preacher will be Rev. Eric D. Barksdale, President of the National Capital Baptist Convention and the Pastor of St. Charles Baptist Church.  They are asking Oak Grove to participate on Friday, October 28, 2016.

Baptism Sunday - September 4, 2016: A Record Turn-out

After Pastor Joseph Flippin finished preaching a couple of weeks ago during service, he extended his usual invitation to the congregation to accept Christ as Savior and be baptized as a public testimony of our faith and to fulfill all righteousness. "If you're recently saved and need to get baptized, I invite you to join us on the first Sunday in September.  Maybe you got baptized as a kid and didn't really understand what it was about, I invite you to get baptized as an adult.  Or maybe you got baptized because your friends were getting baptized and you didn't want to be left out.  Or if you got 'sprinkled' as a baby, I invite you to join us because we believe in full immersion. Or maybe you've been a Christian for awhile but haven't taken the next step in your walk, I invite you to get baptized.  Hey, we're a Baptist church, that's what we do:  We baptize and re-baptize!"

In the book of Matthew, John the Baptist tells the people in 3:11, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance:  but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:  he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire...."  Later, in verses 14-15, Jesus approached John so that John could baptize Him.  "But John forbad him, saying, 'I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?' And Jesus answering said unto him, 'Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.'"  In Mark 16:16, Jesus says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Romans 10:9-11,13 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  Baptism is a public proclamation that we are saved:  We have admitted we are sinners, repented of our sins, and have asked Jesus to come into our hearts to be our Lord and Savior.  Baptism is a way of saying, "I am a Christian!"

Several congregants stepped forward that Sunday to be baptized for the first time.  Some wanted to be re-baptized, considering it a "re-dedication to the Lord," similar to a "vow renewal" between a husband and wife.  Some wanted to show their dedication to God as well as their Brothers and Sisters in Christ.  Whatever their reason, Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church had a great turn-out for baptisms on Sunday, September 4, 2016!

If you are looking to get baptized for the first time as evidence of your accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, or wish to get re-baptized as a symbolic way of "renewing your vows" to God, we encourage you to see Pastor Flippin, Reverend Gwen Warren, or one of the deacons for more information on getting this done.  We welcome you into the Kingdom of God!

If you have photos that you would like to have added to this post, please email them to stepmercjohn@hotmail.com.

Church Announcements - September 4, 2016

EVERY TUESDAY:  Please join your church family for A CALL TO PRAYER by accessing our Conference Call Line every Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.  The number is 302-202-1112, Access Code 801177.  These calls will last 15 minutes and our goal is to have 50 members on the Prayer Call every week, so SET YOUR ALARMS!

CONFIDENTIAL PRAYER VOICEMAIL AND EMAIL:  Please submit your confidential prayer request by calling 641-715-3900, Access Code 784459 or by emailing your request to oakgroveprays@gmail.com.  Only Pastor Flippin will have access to this voicemail and email and will respond promptly.

MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATION CLASS is held every 2^nd and 3^rd Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  This class is for new members and serves as a refresher class for existing members.  A Certificate of Completion will be given after attending both classes.  For more information, please see Rev. Gwen Warren.

EVERY WEDNESDAY:  Bible Study resumes Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.  Lesson printouts are available in the wall tray located outside Pastor Flippin’s office.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:  NFL Sunday is back!  Team up with Oak Grove by wearing your favorite football jersey!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:  Pastor Flippin and the Oak Grove Family are the special guests at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy, as they give honor to their Seniors of 75 and over.  Dinner will be served at 1:00 p.m.  Service begins at 2:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 & 20:  Youth Choir Rehearsal will be held this Tuesday, September 13th, and next Tuesday, September 20th, at 7:00 p.m.  All youth ages 4-18 are encouraged to attend.

POTOMAC RIVER BAPTIST ASSOCIATION:  Pastors and Church Leaders Conference will be held on September 17, 2016, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the True Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church, 4201 Wheeler Rd. SE, Washington, D.C.  Rev. Reginald Farmer will be the Host Pastor.  For registration and more information, please visit www.potomacriverba.org.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH DAY will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2016, on the Nanjemoy Land on Friendship Landing Road.

NEXT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING will be held Saturday, October 29, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at Ritchie Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, MD.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SISTER CHURCHES

MOUNT HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy

Women’s Conference, September 20, 2016, 8:00 a.m., Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 8105 Annapolis Wood Rd., Welcome

Women’s Ministry 16th Annual One-Day Conference, Saturday, September 10, 2016, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 2645 Marshall Hall Rd., Bryans Road

Fourth Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Samuel King, Jr., Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 3:00 p.m.  Guest Preacher is Rev.  Eric D. Barksdale, Sr., of St. Charles Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5560 Pleasant Grove Rd., Marbury

Men & Women Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 17, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Guest Preacher will be Rev. Jamila Woods-Jones of Jabez Christian Church.

One-Day Women’s Conference, Saturday, September 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Men’s Day Service, Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., Guest Preacher:  Pastor Lionel Pointer from Round Oak Missionary Baptist Church.

NEW LIFE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 6635 Indian Head Hwy., Indian Head, MD

Family and Friends Day will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.  Special guest preacher will be Pastor Garry M. Brown from Pilgrim Baptist Church, Locust Grove, VA.  (Yes, that’s when the Cowboys play the Redskins at home, but come at 1:00 p.m. to enjoy the game, have dinner at 2:30, and wear your sports gear if you like!)

TRUE GOSPEL TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH, 4201 Wheeler Rd., SE, Washington, DC

Revival during the month of September, hosted by the newest member of PRBA, Pastor Reginald R. Farmer

September 2 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Roderick McClanahan

September 9 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Lloyd Fox

September 18 at 2:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor L.B. West

September 16 at 7:00 p.m. – comedians Robert Richardson and Eric Wade

September 23 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Anthony Maclin

September 30 at 7:00 p.m. – guest preacher Pastor Rodney Teal

Facebook Testimony

This testimony was recently shared on our Facebook page.  To God be the glory!  May we continue to be a shining light in our community of Nanjemoy, Maryland.

For the month of July, Pastor Joseph C. T. Flippin has been preaching on the theme of "Sticking Together." This past Sunday's topic was "The Church of Nanjemoy": We must be a church of God and Christ--Jesus is the center, and we must be linked up to the community. We must speak with power, truth, and authority, and be united with one purpose. We must be one body in Christ, be strong in our prayer lives/ministry/worship, have the same faith/doctrine/mission, and not allow the spirit of rebellion to come against our church. We are connected through the Ultimate Unifier: Jesus Christ, and we will have a solid foundation if we use our gifts to serve the church and community of Nanjemoy. God has given us a blessed hope and promise and we must share the good news with our neighbors. This all ties in with our church's vision: To be an ALIVE Christ-centered church focused on SERVING our community through LOVE and with a message of HOPE.

After Pastor Flippin finished preaching, Reverend Gwen Warren called for a special time of prayer. Normally we have intercessory prayer in the very beginning of service, but this day, we ended in prayer (and of course an altar call to accept Christ as one's savior and an invitation to become members of the church) before the benediction and dismissal. We all gathered around the sanctuary to pray for our church, our community, and our nation. I confess that I peeked during this time of prayer to look around at my Brothers and Sisters in Christ: all holding hands, heads bowed, united in one accord. I was overwhelmed by a feeling of joy and gratitude at this family of believers! Overwhelmed to the point of tears!

You see, ever since I set foot in this church, my mother and I have been welcomed with open arms. From that first day back in August when I was alone, broken, and desperate to be reminded of God's love for me, I felt nothing but love and acceptance from everyone here! Before I even got out of the car, a Sister greeted me and welcomed me to her church. The ushers were glad to see me, I was greeted by many members as I made my way to the front row, and Reverend Gwen Warren and Minister Jacqueline Swann deliberately came down from the pulpit to hug me and welcome me to OGMBC. During Rev. Warren's VERY POWERFUL intercessory prayer minutes later, I broke down in tears, thankful that I found my way through these doors. Sister Bridget hugged me afterwards (probably for as long as I needed, even though I didn't want to hold up church service!), telling me everything was going to be okay and reminding me how much God loved me. I was showered with love from the minute I walked in to the minute I left. Most importantly, Pastor Flippin made a point to personally come to me and welcome me to the church and ask me my name, which he has never forgotten (no pastor has ever done this before, and I've been to a LOT of churches in my lifetime!), and greets me every chance he gets. When I brought my mother with me the next Sunday, she received the royal treatment as well, and the love has not stopped!

So, fast forward to this past Sunday and prayer concludes. Two more people step forward to become members, and we are encouraged to hug our neighbors and tell them we love them, which we all did joyfully. A Brother in Christ hugged me and asked if I was okay as I wiped away my tears. I assured him I was, but the truth is, I wanted to break out in shouts of joy at how happy I am to be part of this church!!! With all the racial tension going on these days, I have never felt any animosity or prejudice from any of my church family. It doesn't matter that I am one of few Caucasians, I am accepted and loved and appreciated as a Sister in Christ! I serve when and where I can, and am so thankful for all the help I've received (especially from Rev. Gwen and Deacon Frank Tibbs!) over the last year, especially after my knee injury and surgery.

This church is a PRIME example of how the ENTIRE WORLD needs to be! We are living out Jesus' second greatest commandment of loving our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:29-31). Because let me tell you, how are we supposed to LOVE our NEIGHBOR and our COMMUNITY if we can't even LOVE the person sitting in the pew next to us??? Well, this church DOES!

So, I just want to thank Pastor Flippin and First Lady Kendall for the excellent job they are doing of leading this church, to all the Deacons and Trustees, and to all my Brothers and Sisters in Christ: THANK YOU! Thank you for accepting me into The Fold, thank you for loving me and my mother, and thank you for being wonderful examples of Jesus Christ. Together we can reach the community, and hopefully the world.

GOD bless you ALL!!! I love you all so much!

Church Announcements for September 28, 2016

EVERY TUESDAY:  Please join your church family for A CALL TO PRAYER by accessing our Conference Call Line every Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.  The number is 302-202-1112, Access Code 801177.  These calls will last 15 minutes and our goal is to have 50 members on the Prayer Call every week, so SET YOUR ALARMS!

CONFIDENTIAL PRAYER VOICEMAIL AND EMAIL:  Please submit your confidential prayer request by calling 641-715-3900, Access Code 784459 or by emailing your request to oakgroveprays@gmail.com.  Only Pastor Flippin will have access to this voicemail and email and will respond promptly.

EVERY WEDNESDAY:  Bible Study resumes Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.  Lesson printouts are available in the wall tray located outside Pastor Flippin’s office.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:  NFL Sunday is back!  Team up with Oak Grove by wearing your favorite football jersey!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:  Pastor Flippin and the Oak Grove Family are the special guests at Mount Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy, as they give honor to their Seniors of 75 and over.  Dinner will be served at 1:00 p.m.  Service begins at 2:30 p.m.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS:  We are in need of Sunday School teachers and assistants.  If teaching is your gift, please see Sis. Cecelia Minor or Trustee Martin Matthews.

MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATION CLASS is held every 2^nd and 3^rd Sunday at 9:30 a.m.  This class is for new members and serves as a refresher class for existing members.  A Certificate of Completion will be given after attending both classes.  For more information, please see Rev. Gwen Warren.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM SISTER CHURCHES

MOUNT HOPE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 8705 Gilroy Rd., Nanjemoy

Thankful Friday, September 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.  Special guest:  The Gospel Soul Seekers.

Women’s Conference, September 20, 2016, 8:00 a.m., Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 8105 Annapolis Wood Rd., Welcome

Women’s Ministry 16^th Annual One-Day Conference, Saturday, September 10, 2016, 7:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Breakfast will be served.  Registration Fee:  $20.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH, 2645 Marshall Hall Rd., Bryans Road

Fourth Pastoral Anniversary of Pastor Samuel King, Jr., Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 3:00 p.m.  Guest Preacher is Rev.  Eric D. Barksdale, Sr., of St. Charles Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 5560 Pleasant Grove Rd., Marbury

Men & Women Prayer Breakfast, Saturday, September 17, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Guest Preacher, Rev. Jamila Woods-Jones of Jabez Christian Church.

One-Day Women’s Conference, Saturday, September 24, 2016, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Men’s Day Service, Sunday, September 25, 2016 at 3:30 p.m., Guest Preacher:  Pastor Lionel Pointer from Round Oak Missionary Baptist Church.

Meet Our Pastor, Reverend Joseph C. T. Flippin

Reverend Joseph Charles Taylor Flippin

Reverend Joseph Charles Taylor Flippin is the youngest son of Rev. Dr. & Mrs. William E. Flippin. Rev. Flippin is a 2003 Cum Laude graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, and a 2006 graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, with a Master of Divinity. As a freshman at Morehouse College, Rev. Flippin accepted the call to preach the gospel and was later ordained into gospel ministry at his father's church, The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, becoming the third generation of clergy in his family.

During his first year at Wesley Theological Seminary, he was privileged to be appointed Assistant to the Pastor of New Union Baptist Church, Vienna, Virginia. Rev. Flippin, in his final two years at Wesley Theological Seminary, studied under the tutelage of Metropolitan Baptist Church’s (Washington, DC) Senior Servant, Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. In November 2004, Rev. Flippin had the honor to join Metropolitan’s staff as the Senior Servant’s personal research aide and adjutant.

On February 23, 2006, the Macedonia Baptist Church in Bryans Road, Maryland, called Rev. Flippin to become their next Pastor. Under his leadership, numerous lives were transformed for the better, countless souls saved, several programs and ministries were added to during his five years at Macedonia Baptist Church.

Pastor Flippin was honored by being selected by The Informer newspaper as one of America’s 40 Best Pastors Under 40. He has also been privileged to preach the gospel throughout the United States, the Caribbean, in Europe, and Africa. In 2013, Rev. Flippin was inducted in the Morehouse College Board of Distinguished Preachers.

On December 16, 2006, he married his best friend, the former Kendall D. Wilson, a 2003 Spelman College graduate and a middle school administrator.

On October 5, 2014, Rev. Flippin began serving the people of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church as interim pastor.  On May 16, 2015, he accepted the call to permanently pastor Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, being officially installed later in August.

Rev. Flippin's vision for Oak Grove's future is:  To be an ALIVE Christ-centered church focused on SERVING the community through LOVE and with a message of HOPE.

We invite you to join us in our journey!

The History of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church

CHURCH HISTORY

1883—2016

Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church was organized on May 6, 1883, by a group of devout Christian believers who, under the divine guidance of God and the leadership of the late Rev. Gaynor, met regularly for prayer and praise services.  As a result of these faithful gatherings, God blessed Oak Grove with dynamic spiritual growth.  In tribute, we recognize a few of the Christian forerunners of Oak Grove: Rev. B.A. Ross, Deacon Willie Washington, Deacon Frank Tibbs, Deacon Henry Bannister, Sister Daisey Bannister and the first church clerk, Brother Jacob Scott.

The first church edifice was a small-frame building located on what is now known as Chancellor’s Run Place in Nanjemoy, Maryland.  As souls were saved and added to the church, the need for more space became imminent.  In 1901, the church was rebuilt in its present location on Holly Springs Road in Nanjemoy, MD.  Rev. Gaynor served as Pastor for approximately 18 years and upon his death was succeeded by Rev. R.B. Ward.  Rev. Ward served as Pastor for approximately 20 years and was succeeded by Rev. Garfield Hunter who was installed on June 19, 1921. 

During the pastorate of Rev. Hunter, the church vestibule was repaired and the outside of the church was whitewashed.  Rev. Hunter served as pastor for approximately two years, after which Rev. George Carter was called to assume the pastorate.  During his pastorate, several deacons were ordained and the annex (hall) and choir stand were added to the church edifice.  Oak Grove became known as the “Holy Ghost Headquarters.”  After Rev. Carter’s faithful 29 years of service, God called him from labor to reward.

On May 17, 1953, Rev. Herbert Holmes was installed as the pastor and under his leadership a basement was added, a furnace installed, and new flooring was put down.  Rev. Holmes served for eight years and returned home to Chicago for personal reasons.  Rev. Joseph Washington served as the acting pastor during this transition.  In search of a new pastor, Sister Naomi Johnson invited Rev. William Leach to preach and Oak Grove realized that their faithful prayers had been answered.  Rev. Leach was installed as pastor in June 1960.  Under the leadership of Rev. Leach, indoor plumbing was installed in the church, and the pastor’s study and finance room were added.  A choir room and kitchen were also installed. Rev. Washington continued to serve as the Assistant Pastor until his health began to fail. From 1973 to 1976, Rev. William Thorpe then served as the Assistant Pastor. 

In May 1977, complete renovations of the church began.  Services were held in the hall adjacent to the church and occasionally at our neighboring churches.  The church continued to grow in membership.  During this time, Trustee Sedrick Cobey designed the church and led in the construction of a new church edifice in which Oak Grove currently worships. The construction of the church was completed in 1981.  The dedication service was held on April 26, 1981. Since that time, through the help of God much progress was made.  Various individuals and groups contributed to the necessities of the church providing trays, kitchen appliances, dining room chairs and tables, etc. The baptismal pool was completed August 25, 1984, and the mortgage burning was celebrated on April 24, 1988.

Rev. Leach’s health began to fail him and from time-to-time he made every effort to come and be on his job for the Lord.  God knew that Rev. Leach needed an assistant, so the Lord sent Rev. Lowell H. Hancock who joined the church in September 1988 and became the Assistant to the Pastor.  On November 25, 1989, the Lord called Rev. Leach from labor to reward.  He served faithfully for 29 years as Pastor of Oak Grove.  Rev. Leach will be remembered as a loving, devoted, and faithful Pastor.

For approximately one year and eight months, Oak Grove was without a Pastor.  During this time, Rev. Hancock assisted in performing the required pastoral duties.  Recognizing his service, Rev. Lowell H. Hancock was elected as pastor on June 2, 1991.  Rev. Hancock was installed on July 28, 1991. During his pastorate, three deacons were ordained, seven trustees added, and the By-laws and Constitution were revised and the church incorporated.  In addition, improvements were made to the church cemetery, church property was cleared for recreation, an organ was purchased and a handicap ramp was installed.  Rev. Hancock served for 18 years.

On April 9, 2011, Rev. Alvin W. Dockett was elected as the eighth Pastor of Oak Grove.  Within the first month of assuming the pastorate, 30 souls were baptized into the Kingdom and over 50 new members were added to the church.  Since being elected pastor, two deacons have been ordained, two trustees have been appointed and the By-laws and Constitution revised. Rev. Dockett has also led the church in capital improvements including renovations to the bathrooms and vestibule, renovations to the pastor’s study, the construction of a new audio/visual sound room, and a bathroom and office space were added in the lower auditorium.  In addition, under Rev. Dockett’s leadership, a handicap accessible ramp was added, and renovations were done to the sanctuary including the construction of a new pulpit, new carpet, and new windows.  In January 2013, Rev. Melvin Latimer was appointed as the Assistant Pastor of Oak Grove. He faithfully served assisting Rev. Dockett and leading the Men’s ministry. 

In July 2014, Rev. Alvin Dockett was called to another church. During this transition the Deacons and Ministerial Staff proudly and faithfully served the congregation until October 2014, at which time, Rev. Joseph C.T. Flippin was elected and served as the Interim Pastor.

On August 2, 2015, Rev. Flippin was installed as the Pastor of the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Since then souls are being saved and added to this Body of Christ and this ministry is once again flourishing.  

Oak Grove stands in great expectation as we turn yet another chapter in the life of the church.  Our Vision Statement is: To be an ALIVE Christ-centered church focused on SERVING our community through LOVE and with a message of HOPE.  

We invite you to join us today!