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The Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church was started in the home of
Reverend S.C.T Easley, at 317 Walnut Street, in October of 1957, as a prayer band. They continued to meet there every
Tuesday night until December 31, 1957, when the church moved to 1415 Jefferson Avenue. The first Sunday in January
of 1958, began the innaugural of the Nazareth Baptist Church. On February 15, 1958, Nazareth was organized as a church
by Reverend M.J. Lynch, the moderator of the Northeastern District Association. In September of 1958, the church moved to
it's present location at 125 Sycamore St. In January of 1963, Pastor Easley resigned his position as Pastor and moved
to Liberty Baptist Church. The Lord blessed the church to prosper in membership.
On January 29, 1963, Reverend Ellis Browning was called and installed
as pastor. The building was purchased and remodeled, and the membership began to grow once again. In August of
1987, the Lord called Pastor Browning home to eternal rest.
In February of 1988, Reverend Gentry Garmon was called to Pastor.
Shortly there after, Pastor Garmon moved the Nazareth Baptist Church to a different location. There were some members
of the church who were dedicated to the place of worship at 125 Sycamore St., and they chose to stay behind,
where the church was then renamed the First Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church in July of 2000. Between the years
of 1995 and 1999, Reverend Charles Henderson and Reverend Michael Fortson, both served as Pastors of the First Nazareth
Missionary Baptist Chruch. Reverend Eric Donaldson served as Pastor, between September 1999, and January 2001.
After much praying, Reverend Thomas L. Artis was called to Pastor the
First Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, on July 1, 2001. Pastor Thomas L. Artis was installed on September 2, 2001.
Upon Pastor Artis's arrival at the churh, there were only two members on the roll. Under the leadership of Pastor Thomas
L. Artis, Praise God, the First Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church membership has grown. Pastor Thomas L. Artis and
the membership are working diligently in rebuilding God's temple as in Ezra 3:7-11, which tells us that in building God's
temple (sanctuary), it takes not only faith and trust in the Lord to get it built, but it takes God's people working together. They
(Ezra 3:7-11) purchased the things that were needed to build it together. Along
with the Levites (priests) and the people (congregation) the temple was built. We Pray that God will continue to add faithful
members to the First Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, who are willing to work with Pastor Artis and his vision to move
the church forward, as we remain dedicated to God and His word.
We are continually making improvements to the sanctuary and to
the building itself. God has blessed the First Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, with new pulpit furniture, and an
inhanced sound system upgrade. We are continuously working on beautifying the house of the Lord, as well as winning
souls to Christ. We will continue to be mindful of 1Corithians 15:58. Be ye steadfast (hold
to God's unchanging hand), Unmovable (mountians can be moved by faith, we pray for strength tho climb), always
abounding in the work of the Lord ( work while it is day, night time cometh where no man can work),
for as much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
As we continue to pray, study, and work in Gods vineyard, we pray that
He continues to bless us as we grow spiritually, numerically and financially. For we know the "We can do all things
through Christ which strengthens us."
| God Is Worthy |
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| Of All Our Praise! |
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