A Brief History
Being lead by the Lord, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan began an outreach in the Grand Rapids area in March of 1969. This new mission point was under the leadership of Missionary Tom C. Hansen.
They began meeting in a rented church building April 6, 1969 with an average attendance of 15 to 18 people. During the next several years the mission saw God's blessings as souls were saved, baptized and added to the membership. In 1970, work on a 36' x 72' two story facility at 5757 Madison Ave. SE was started and completed. On July 31, 1976 they were formally organized into a self supporting church with 87 charter members. Missionary Tom C. Hansen, having accepted the call of First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, resigned his position with Madison Avenue MBC and on the day of their organization the church called Bro. Bobby Sparks as their pastor.
Madison Avenue MBC has affiliated from the beginning with the American Baptist Association, Eastern Baptist Association, and the Landmark Missionary Baptist Association of the State of Michigan. Each of these associations are made up of local, independent, fundamental, Missionary Baptist Churches that are Christ-Centered and a passion for missionary outreach worldwide. These associations also include Bible institutes and seminaries, as well as various publishers all under the control of local churches.
Madison Avenue MBC has continued her service at the present location since 1970. The Lord has remained true and the Lord's people continue to serve Him faithfully. Over the years many lives have been changed by the grace of God. May God continue to bless Madison Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.
Madison Avenue MBC has had these men to serve as pastor:
Tom C. Hansen......................................March 16, 1969 - July 1976
Bobby Sparks.........................................August 8, 1976 - May 1978
Charles Johnston............................April 1, 1979 - October 31, 1979
Wesley Fries................................December 16, 1979 - July 19, 1981
Ron Dorton...................................March 14, 1982 - October 7, 1984
Robert McClure............................March 17, 1985 - February 15,1987
Joseph Culberson.............................March 8, 1987 - November 1999
David Wright..............................January 23, 2000 - August 28, 2011
Nathaniel Lowe..........................................January 8, 2012 - Present
They began meeting in a rented church building April 6, 1969 with an average attendance of 15 to 18 people. During the next several years the mission saw God's blessings as souls were saved, baptized and added to the membership. In 1970, work on a 36' x 72' two story facility at 5757 Madison Ave. SE was started and completed. On July 31, 1976 they were formally organized into a self supporting church with 87 charter members. Missionary Tom C. Hansen, having accepted the call of First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Kokomo, Indiana, resigned his position with Madison Avenue MBC and on the day of their organization the church called Bro. Bobby Sparks as their pastor.
Madison Avenue MBC has affiliated from the beginning with the American Baptist Association, Eastern Baptist Association, and the Landmark Missionary Baptist Association of the State of Michigan. Each of these associations are made up of local, independent, fundamental, Missionary Baptist Churches that are Christ-Centered and a passion for missionary outreach worldwide. These associations also include Bible institutes and seminaries, as well as various publishers all under the control of local churches.
Madison Avenue MBC has continued her service at the present location since 1970. The Lord has remained true and the Lord's people continue to serve Him faithfully. Over the years many lives have been changed by the grace of God. May God continue to bless Madison Avenue Missionary Baptist Church.
Madison Avenue MBC has had these men to serve as pastor:
Tom C. Hansen......................................March 16, 1969 - July 1976
Bobby Sparks.........................................August 8, 1976 - May 1978
Charles Johnston............................April 1, 1979 - October 31, 1979
Wesley Fries................................December 16, 1979 - July 19, 1981
Ron Dorton...................................March 14, 1982 - October 7, 1984
Robert McClure............................March 17, 1985 - February 15,1987
Joseph Culberson.............................March 8, 1987 - November 1999
David Wright..............................January 23, 2000 - August 28, 2011
Nathaniel Lowe..........................................January 8, 2012 - Present
