MARANATHA BAPTIST CHURCH

July 31, 1988 -- Nine adults, five young people, and one child met at the home of Leonard and Bessie Kennedy at 615 Raleigh Street in Roanoke Rapids, NC.  After many weeks of meeting in homes, several names for our new church were submitted.  Chosen was the name, Maranatha, meaning “the Lord has come” and the new Maranatha Baptist Church came to be.

 

October 2, 1988 -- The need to find a more stable church home and to call a pastor was envisioned.   The Reverend Melvin Seger, a retired minister, was called to begin as Pastor.  Soon we began meeting at 125 Jefferson Street in Roanoke Rapids for a Sunday Morning Worship Service, Sunday Evening Worship Service, and Wednesday night Prayer Service.

 

February 5, 1989 -- Charter Membership Sunday was held, with the Reverend John Privott, Director of Missions for the North Roanoke Baptist Association, delivering the message.   Our charter members were: 

Adults:

Leonard & Bessie Kennedy, Bernard & Tivie Medlin, Ethel Marshall, Walter & Betty Watts, and Ray & Beckey Williams.  Youth:  

Shaun Williams, Lance & Brian Watts, Tom & Ed Marshall.

Child:

Kenzi Watts

 

September 10-15, 1989 -- Maranatha Baptist Church held its first city-wide revival at the Kirkwood Adams Civic Center in Roanoke Rapids.  Reverend Marvin Faile conducted the service.

 

January 24, 1990 --First WMU meeting was held.

 

June 24-29, 1990 --First Vacation Bible School was held.

 

July 1, 1990 -- First Children’s Church was started.

 

October, 1990 --Pastor Seger resigned for health reasons.

 

November, 1990 -- The property on Zoo Road North was purchased with church financing by the Home Mission Board (now called the North American Mission Board), and we moved into our new house church.

 

June 1, 1991 -- Reverend Donald L Etheridge was called as the first full-time pastor at Maranatha Baptist Church.

 

October, 1991 -- Maranatha Baptist Church was voted into the NRBA.

 

November, 1991 -- The expanded sanctuary was added to what is now the Fellowship Hall.

 

August, 1999 -- The Challenge to Build Program was begun with an excess of $90,000 pledged.  The result was our new sanctuary building.

 

November, 2002 -- The present Sanctuary was dedicated.  Dr. J. W. Harrod, Director Of Missions of the NRBA gave the message.

 

November, 2003 -- Rev Donald L Etheridge was voted Pastor Emeritus of Maranatha Baptist Church, retiring in January, 2004.  He remained Pastor Emeritus until his death on December 25, 2004.

 

June, 2004 -- Rev Dennis R Joyner, having been Ordained into The Ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, on May 22, 2004, was called as the second full-time Pastor at Maranatha Baptist Church.

 

April 18, 2007 -- First Brotherhood meeting was held.

 

December 27, 2009 -- The Oversight Commiitte was formed to oversee the day-to-day operations of the church, and begin the search for a new Pastor.  Members were Jackie Jones, Grady Keeter Jr, Cheryl Perry, Lottie Sebren, and Warner Sebren.

 

December 27, 2009 -- Rev Dennis R Joyner resigned as Pastor to follow God’s calling,  Our church members wished him and Nancy well.

 

April 4, 2010 -- Rev Michael D Little was called as Interim Pastor.

 

June 4, 2010 -- Rev Michael D Little was called as the third full-time Pastor at Maranatha Baptist Church.  We welcomed him and Joy to our church family.

 

September 1, 2010 -- The Oversight Committe was reorganized, and became the Church Council.  Members were Jackie Jones Grady Keeter Jr, David Carter, Edna Thompson, and Ethel Etheridge.

 

October, 2010 -- A special offering was started to begin building a new Baptistry onto the back wall of the sanctuary, raising $2500.00 for that purpose.

 

June, 2011 -- Our Fellowship Vegetable Garden and Serenity Garden were completed.

 

July, 2011 -- Pastor Little has begun working on our new Baptistry.

 

September 1, 2011 -- Two additional members, Aubrey Barkley and Buck Dickens, were added to the Church Council.

 

June, 2012 – The main part of the Baptistry has been completed, looks great, and is ready for use.

 

April, 2013 – The cushions for the pews have been delivered and they look very nice, and provide more comfortable seating.

 

May, 2013 – The steps and stonework around the Baptistry have been finished, and the Baptistry is now complete.  It looks great!

 

July, 2013 –Repairs were completed in the Fellowship Hall, and it received a fresh coat of paint!!