Back To Bethel Baptist Church: History: Index

From small beginnings...

It was on August 10,1986 that Back To Bethel Baptist Church held its first service in a small building off Williams Road Extension, a place Pastor J. A. "Bud" Rogers and his wife, Jackie fondly recall as a "frog pond" because the lot was always muddy. There were 69 people in attendance at the first service with an offering totaling $525.90. Fifty-nine charter members were recorded on that day.

Building a fellowship hall and eventually a sanctuary was always in the minds and hearts of the members. Phillipians 4:13 was their encouragement - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". As the congregation grew, Pastor Rogers and the members felt led by the Lord to purchase land for their church facilities and on September 28, 1986, Back To Bethel bought a five acre site on Sanford Lane in Monroe, without having to obtain a loan.

Then, using the land as collateral, the church sought a business loan which was granted by American Commercial Bank. Even though the church received a building loan, the congregation also contributed for building costs by buying bricks and furnishings for the new facility. The entire congregation actively participated in the completion of the hall - the men worked on the building, the women cooked for the men, the teenagers hauled off debris and the children helped pick up trash. With construction of the fellowship hall underway, things began to move forward, including church membership which grew to 125.

Through hard work and dedication of the members, the hall was completed within less than a year, and on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1987, the first service was held in the new fellowship hall. During the next two years, the hall served as a sanctuary and multipurpose facility until the loan to American Commercial was paid off.

The church growth continued and on July 10, 1988, the first baptism service was held. There were 210 candidates for baptism.

On August 21, 1988, the first Sunday morning broadcast was made at 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on WIXE in Monroe.

The story concerning the building of the new sanctuary is equally inspiring as the members bought bricks and pews. With the help of the members who did the carpentry, roofing and laying of the carpet, the,824 square foot, white, brick sanctuary was completed in October 1989 and on October 22, 1989 a dedication service was held with 245 present.

With the Lord's guidance and help and with Pastor Rogers and the members working together with faith, enthusiasm, commitment and dedication in spreading the good news throughout the community, that was only the beginning of Back To Bethel Baptist Missionary Church!

In October of 1999, Pastor J.A. "Bud" Rogers decided to retire and his son, the Reverend J. A."Sonny" Rogers resumed the role as the Pastor of the Church.

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21

How the Lord continues to bless!


	From small beginnings... It was on August 10,1986 that Back To Bethel Baptist Church held its first service in a small building off Williams Road Extension, a place Pastor J. A. "Bud" Rogers and his wife, Jackie fondly recall as a "frog pond" because the lot was always muddy. There were 69 people in attendance at the first service with an offering totaling $525.90. Fifty-nine charter members were recorded on that day. Building a fellowship hall and eventually a sanctuary was always in the minds and hearts of the members. Phillipians 4:13 was their encouragement - "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". As the congregation grew, Pastor Rogers and the members felt led by the Lord to purchase land for their church facilities and on September 28, 1986, Back To Bethel bought a five acre site on Sanford Lane in Monroe, without having to obtain a loan. Then, using the land as collateral, the church sought a business loan which was granted by American Commercial Bank. Even though the church received a building loan, the congregation also contributed for building costs by buying bricks and furnishings for the new facility. The entire congregation actively participated in the completion of the hall - the men worked on the building, the women cooked for the men, the teenagers hauled off debris and the children helped pick up trash. With construction of the fellowship hall underway, things began to move forward, including church membership which grew to 125. Through hard work and dedication of the members, the hall was completed within less than a year, and on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1987, the first service was held in the new fellowship hall. During the next two years, the hall served as a sanctuary and multipurpose facility until the loan to American Commercial was paid off. The church growth continued and on July 10, 1988, the first baptism service was held. There were 210 candidates for baptism. On August 21, 1988, the first Sunday morning broadcast was made at 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on WIXE in Monroe. The story concerning the building of the new sanctuary is equally inspiring as the members bought bricks and pews. With the help of the members who did the carpentry, roofing and laying of the carpet, the,824 square foot, white, brick sanctuary was completed in October 1989 and on October 22, 1989 a dedication service was held with 245 present. With the Lord's guidance and help and with Pastor Rogers and the members working together with faith, enthusiasm, commitment and dedication in spreading the good news throughout the community, that was only the beginning of Back To Bethel Baptist Missionary Church! In October of 1999, Pastor J.A. "Bud" Rogers decided to retire and his son, the Reverend J. A."Sonny" Rogers resumed the role as the Pastor of the Church. "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21 How the Lord continues to bless!