New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church

On September 15, 1978, at the home of Grover and Marva Amos, 920 McCall Road, Macon, Georgia, a group of Christian believers gathered. In this meeting opinions were heard regarding feeling of those presents about their continued membership at the New Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Maynard Street. Upon learning that the pastor of New Pleasant Grove, Rev. Ronald E. Terry, Sr., had decided to resign his pastorate, the group knowing of his integrity, scholarship, eloquence, Christian tenets and his dedicated and productive leadership, asked him to remain in Macon and serve as their leader. He accepted the challenge. And so a new church was born of faith and on a philosophy that says a church should be geared toward a program for all members, not for a small segment of the congregation. Another of its founding principles was simply that worshipers should be able to serve God in peace and harmony. On the fourth Sunday in April, 1979 the membership voted to seek incorporation and nonprofit organization status. The Church was officially charted The New Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Incorporated, a corporation of the State of Georgia, on May 9, 1979. In late October, 1979 New Fellowship purchased the formerly known Eastside Baptist Church, 475 Church Street and a new parsonage at 2401 Alandale Drive. The new facility has a sanctuary which holds 750 people: 12 classrooms, a kitchen, a fellowship hall, a Pastor’s study, secretary office, a baptistery with dressing rooms, a library, a lounge area, and two accessory building and ample parking space. The property was assessed in excess of $150,000.00 and is now worth $250,000.00 On Sunday November 4, 1979 the congregation assumed occupancy of the new facility. The initial service was preceded by a Thanksgiving Prayer Service Saturday night, November 3, 1979. On that Sunday morning by an exodus service and motorcade from the Bethune Avenue site, at the morning call to Discipleship, nineteen persons united with the church. In December, 1979 Deacon James Lary was appointed administrative assistant to the Pastor; Mrs. Vingina Newby was named to head the Dietary Department and her staff was named. From the Nursery to Church Street the history of New Fellowship has been one of the phenomenal growth and endurance, sometime with odds seemingly against success. But by the Grace of God working through our relentless Pastor, staff and membership, the Church has persevered through vicissitudes of its short existence and continues to find “peace in the midst of the storm.” In 1990, the church purchased the property 482 Church Street. In 1991, the church purchased a larger Pastorium at 1490 New Castle Drive, Macon, Georgia. In 1994, the Church purchased the property of 474 Church Street. In 1995, the church purchased the property of 501 Church Street. Also in 1995, the Church was Quit Claim Deed for Pasture Avenue from the City of Macon. In October, 1996, Hospital Drive was renamed by the City of Macon as Fellowship Drive. In 1997, the Church paid off the property at 501 Church Street. The church sent several delegated to Houston, Texas to the National Baptist Convention Congress of Christian Education. That same year the church office was computerized for better record keeping and efficiency. In 1998, the Church refurbished the Fellowship Hall, including new floor, new ceiling, new light fixtures and fans. New carpet was installed in all the common areas. The restrooms were redecorated. All common areas of the church were painted. In 1999, the church unveiled a rendering of the proposed Activity Center. In 2000, the restrooms on the main floor were completed renovated. In 2001, Early Morning Services began. In 2002, a second church van was acquired. In 2003, the church purchased the property at 521 Church Street; also the Committed Choir was organized under the direction of Rev. Richard Hunt, Jr. and Mrs. Terry was appointed as Director of Christian Education. In August, Rev. Joseph M. White was ordained. The year of 2004 was full of new events. In April, Vincent Amos preached his trial sermon. The Sunday School held its first Sunday School Demonstration Day and first Annual Christian in Recovery Revival was held. In September of this year New Fellowship hosted the 138th Adjourned Session of the Union Baptist Missionary and Education Association, Inc. In the year of 2005, Brother Quentin Taylor preached his trial sermon. Minister Vincent A. Amos was licensed to preach and Rev. James baker was ordained. The common areas were re-carpted. The Men’s Sunday School Room was dedicated to the memory of Brother Eugene Crawford. New choir robes were purchased for all the choirs. In the year of 2006, we received the authorization from Planning and Zoning to build a new Sanctuary. In September Brother Ronald Billingslea preached his trial sermon. In the year of 2007: April 1, 2007 was the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new church sanctuary. Laymen Day Speaker was Dr. Larry Rivers, President of The Fort Valley State University. In July, 2007 Minister Quentin Taylor was licensed to preach. August, 2007 Minister Treyon Woolfolk was appointed Youth Minister and he was ordain to the Ministry on Sunday September 30, 2007. In the year of 2008: January 13, 2008 Minister Vincent Amos was ordained to the Ministry. The construction of the new sanctuary was begun in January, 2008. In March, 2009 New Fellowship hosted the Macon Cherry Blossom Opening Services. The new Sanctuary and new administration building were completed in May, 2009. The Entrance Services to the new sanctuary was held June 7, 2009. The Dedication of the new sanctuary with Rev. William J. Shaw, President of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc. at the Eleven A.M. Worship Service was our Guest Minister and the dedication continued with Reverend Dr. Cameron Alexander as the Guest Minister for the Four O’clock P.M. Worship Service. At the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., 132nd Annual session, the Music Award was renamed the Ronald E. Terry, Sr. Music Award. New Fellowship hosted the Planning meeting for the International Association of Minister Wives and Minister Widows, Incorporated. On September 17, 2010, Reverend Dr. Ronald E. Terry, Sr. was presented the 2010 Moderator’s Award from the Union Baptist Missionary & Education Association of Middle Georgia, Inc. In January, 2011 New Fellowship in partnership with Forest hills United Methodist and Unionville Missionary Baptist Churches held the 1st City Wide Food Giveaway. The first Unity Services with Forest Hills and Unionville was held in April. In May, 2011, Rev. Quentin A. Taylor was ordained. We held the dedication of our Pews in May. The 2nd City Wide Food Giveaway in conjunction with Forest Hill and Unionville was held in August followed by a Unity Services between the churches. In September Rev. Terry was honored at the Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., as the First President of the Music Auxiliary. We also hosted the 145th Annual Session of the Union Baptist Missionary and Educational Association of Middle Georgia, Inc. In October, 2012 the cornerstone laying of the new sanctuary.