OUR HISTORY
Rev. Joe Blackman’s pastorate came to an end on November 8, 1996.
On March 9, 1997, Rev. Harold Miller Jr. became the tenth pastor of South Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. Under Rev. Miller’s leadership, the church newsletter, “The South Liberty Spirit” was published. The Teen & Children’s and Pastor’s Bible Study began.
Rev. Miller’s pastorate came to an end on February 15, 1998.
In June of 1998, the membership elected Rev. Freddie L. Carson as the 11th pastor of South Liberty Missionary Baptist Church.
Under Pastor Carson’s leadership, eight acres of land was purchased for the building of a new church. Construction of the new church located at 165 East Dinkins Street was completed and dedicated on November 18, 2001. The South Liberty Laymen’s Department was organized; the New Members committee was reorganized, the Deaconess Ministry, the Weekly Prayer Service, the Laymen’s scholarship fund, the Annual Fall Carnival, and the New Members Orientation Class began. The South Liberty Mass Choir was organized in January 2002 and accepted as an auxiliary of the church in January 2003. The first annual Spirit Award was presented December 31, 2006.
In 2007 Baptism and Communion service was combined with the 1st Sunday morning worship service. The Sanctuary Choir was formed by combining the Inspirational, JMA, and Senior Choir with membership being extended to any member of the church. The Sanctuary Choir began singing the 1st Sunday in January, 2009. The Telephone Ministry was introduced in December, 2008 and began January 2009. The Golden Fellowship Ministry was developed and initiated in 2009. The Annual trip to the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education continues. The annual Youth Camp Out at Carson Farms began.
The Nursing Ministry, Education Ministry, and Youth Department were organized. The Benevolence Committee was formed. The Male Choir began singing every 3rd and 5th Sunday. The Deacon & Deaconess Ministry was reorganized and new members added. The Trustee Ministry was reorganized and new members added. The first female Trustee, (Sis. Khalilah Shields) was appointed. The Leadership Team consisting of all ministry leaders was organized. Ministry Leaders were officially installed and leadership training began. The mortgage balance was paid on March 2, 2017. The Mortgage Burning Ceremony was held on August 13, 2017. The Beginners Choir was renamed Bertha Archie Beginners Choir in October, 2017. The First male Youth Director, Bro. Christopher Fields was named in December 2017.
The leadership of Pastor Freddie L. Carson ended on June 10, 2018. The church body, nurtured by prayer and favored of God once again began the process of searching for a new pastor.
On December 9, 2018, the membership gathered, voted and elected the next pastor of South Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. On January 6, 2019, Rev. Dr. Antoine D. Barlow, a humble man of God, a man who loves his family, a compassionate and prolific preacher and teacher of the Word, a man respected by his former church members and coworkers became the twelfth pastor of South Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. Within the first six months of Dr. Barlow’s leadership, a great new work began for South Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. The Nursery and Praise Team Ministries were re-established, the Pastoral Advisory Committee, the Greeting Ministry, and the Marriage Ministry were organized. Dr. Barlow is leading with a new vision, “Rich in History, Relevant in Community, and Ready for Eternity.”
“Rich – Relevant – Ready”
What began in 1914 as a Sunday school in a humble dwelling house is today a progressive church that serves the community, where welcome and worship is meaningful. With God’s blessings, it shall continue.