The Old Church and New Church

 

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church was organized on December 29, 1982 under the direction of Deacon Benjamin Dotson. There were twenty original founding members: Mother Gladys Harrington, Mother Josie Sultry, Mother Flora Hill, Mother Annie Mays, Mother Geraldine Hinson, Mother Annie Grant, Mother Georgia Carmichael, Clara Foshee, Deborah Ross, Edward Edwards, Rufus and Pauline Dorn, Sarah Dotson-Wallace, Clyde Dotson, Vivian Dotson, Deacon George and Mary Huddleston, Deacon Benjamin and Betty Dotson and their families. Our surviving founding members are Deaconess Betty Dotson and Sarah Dotson-Wallace.

Deaconess Betty Dotson named the church New Hope because it represented a new beginning and there was great hope for the church. These members worked faithfully without a pastor. Deacon Dotson and Deacon Huddleston sought help from Dr. James Moss of Springhill Baptist Church.

The Lord sent Rev. Julius C. Eason to pastor New Hope on February 13, 1983. The Holy Spirit continued to bring us together in love and understanding the church began to grow. The Lord blessed us with a new sanctuary, fellowship hall and parking lot, under the direction of Pastor Eason who served until March 1991.

The Lord sent Rev. David L. Roberson to pastor New Hope in February 1992. His wife Catherine, and two children, Crystal and Justice also joined the New Hope family. Rev. Roberson came with a vision and a seven-point plan for New Hope. With the Blessings of God, Deacons, Trustee Board and dutiful members, his vision unfolded. The church soon found it necessary to add a 7:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Service.

On February 14, 1993, the lower auditorium was named the Dotson Fellowship Hall in honor of Deacon Benjamin and Deaconess Betty Dotson as founding members of the church.

In 1994, the church began acquiring additional properties, and in 1995, God not only blessed us with more properties, but HE also blessed us with the financial ability to pay off ALL OUR DEBTS. On October 15, 1995, the New Hope family celebrated the burning of our church mortgage.

Under the leadership of Pastor Roberson, the church membership grew, and new ministries were added. In 2002, a new church building with a sanctuary for 1200 people was dedicated. On March 24, 2002, we gave honor to God for a new church building and a new sanctuary. The church continued to grow in faith, fellowship, and love.

In March 2020, Pastor Roberson retired. Due to the worldwide pandemic, the church continued its mission online.

We began our new pastoral search in 2021, in accordance with the church bylaws. Through faithful prayer and belief Dr. Aaron L. Chapman was elected as our new pastor in January 2023. He accepted the call and was installed on April 30, 2023. Pastor Chapman joined New Hope along with his beautiful wife, Valarie Kay, and their children, Aaron Christian and Destiny Kay Chapman.

New Hope members know that none of this would be possible without the blessings from God. “And Jesus looking upon them saith, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27)

The History of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church would not be complete without thanking God for the leadership of a committed Pastor, Deacon Board, Trustee Board and most of all YOU – The dedicated members.

LET US CONTINUE TO BE: “HOPE IN THE FIELD”