NEW HOPE HISTORY

The church, the first institution fully controlled by African Americans, played a central role in the black community.  As far back as 1758, many registries and recordings reveal the unseen scepter of power and authority granted to the church through our African American heritage. The history of the Black Church in America possessed the move and mark of God’s hand upon the Negro oppressed people. It was the Black Church that became the first reliable, affirmed source of land ownership for slaves in America.  The church functioned as a social and political gathering place, as well as a house of worship.  The church’s position as the pillar of the community is what led many slaves to migrate together to seek a better life in unfamiliar territory.  Located in southwest Georgia, in Dougherty County (Albany, GA) was a rising population of black slaves. Tucked away underneath the surface of cotton cultivation where the market center for cotton plantations and the shipping of cotton to markets by steamboats on the river was a cry for liberation. This cry would be a resounding cry that would serve as a call for a small core of believers who would gather in unity of hope and faith to transition to Macon, Georgia. It was during this time that on October 10, 1887, that this small core group of believers took a risky journey from Albany, Georgia to a place located geographically at the center of the state, approximately 85 miles south of Atlanta, in a place that would soon be known as the “heart of Georgia. This city, settled near the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, was a city called Macon, the county seat of Bibb County. Change was inevitable and was much needed. For so long varying chiefdom and indigenous people occupied the regions of the Ocmulgee Old Fields years before the Europeans rose to an oppressive and political power. Change was needed and would come through the establishment of a church known for its HOPE.  Under the counseling hand of Reverend E.W. Hall and Reverend A. N. Maddox, this group of 8 members who traveled by faith called Reverend E. C. Cummings as Pastor (1887-1916). It was during this time that New Hope was born. New Hope has experienced great growth under the leadership of several mighty men of valor. Rev. L.H. Mills (1916-1918), Rev. DeVaughn (1918-1919), Rev. A.Z. Wadley (1919-1922), Rev. J.H. Wimberly (1923-1939), Rev. Thomas Joseph Lynch (1940-1971), Rev. Lewis L. Jones Sr.  (1972-1976), From her early existence to the late 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, New Hope provided a foundation and meeting place, for the black community and was able to invoke change through the Pleasant Hill Community, overcoming and maintaining the ongoing fight against racial segregation and oppression. New Hope has outlasted the many struggles that have plagued our community. The turning point became more apparent that New Hope was being summoned to embark on an existence of solidarity through two visionaries, Rev. Joshua C. Carter (1978-1999), and Rev. Michael Chambers (2000-2005).  New Hope relocated from the Historic Pleasant Hill Community, to its current Burton Avenue site, but maintained its long lasting legacy of strength. Upon this foundation of hope, there would be one, called to share in solidarity. It was in the year of 2006 that New Hope postured themselves in a position of prayer, and earnestly sought God for a shepherd who possessed a heart for God and His people. As a result, in December of 2006, the Holy Spirit led them to call Reverend Christopher E. Cabiness to serve as pastor. With this calling, a Kingdom initiative was launched!  Pastor Cabiness envisioned New Hope as “A CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS…SERVING THIS PRESENT AGE.”  This sole concept was based upon Zechariah 2:3-5, ³ while the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him ⁴ and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. ⁵ And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ and Hebrews 13: 12-14, ¹² and so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. ¹³ Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. ¹⁴ For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Since December 2006, New Hope has sought to cultivate the spiritual lives of its members, while expanding its borders outside the four walls of the church.  With the knowledge that, “Where there’s no vision the people run wild”, New Hope continues to strive to carry out Pastor Cabiness’ vision of reaching the unchurched through the Word of God, and by extending a hand up, instead of a hand out.  New Hope has continued to experience a truly monumental move of God!  Since the calling of Pastor Christopher E. Cabiness, we have seen growth full circle. We continue to witness denominational, economic, and structural barriers being destroyed!  The impact of God’s favor continues to reveal the unforeseen increase of membership from individuals from diverse backgrounds of faith.  New Hope has witnessed a true manifestation of a Kingdom representation.  Many families and individuals connect with New Hope, who hail from diverse denominations such as C.O.G.I.C., Catholic, Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s Witness, Presbyterian, and the Muslim faith, as well as many individuals who were previously unassociated with any faith, prior to coming to New Hope.  We are excited to embrace people who have come to New Hope and experienced church like never before, and who now possess a brand new hope! As New Hope continues to seek to reach and restore souls for Christ, we are even more driven to maintain a positive presence in the community.  Thus far, New Hope is committed to tackling the demand for outreach through various ministries which include; prayer, food, clothing, education, and benevolent financial assistance. Not only has our outreach in the community expand, but our worship experience has transformed, as well. New Hope has come to the realization, that church cannot be limited to worship only. In the last year, New Hope’s culture has transitioned from a central focus on worship, to fellowship through community, where God’s people are able to experience one another while experiencing the love of Christ, at the same time.  OUTREACH has been New Hope’s focal point!   The supreme mission of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church is to EXALT the Savior in every purpose of church and community, EVANGELIZE the sinners with a passion, EDIFY the saints through power of the Holy Spirit and to EQUIP the saints to “SERVE THIS PRESENT AGE WITH HOPE.”  New Hope remains steadfast in its pursuit to accomplish its mission by offering various opportunities for its members to “Serve this present age” by giving to those in need within our congregation, as well as those in our local community.