History of NBCOC
New Beginning Church of Christ was born when a group of believers decided to come together and continue pursuing the God given vision of Rev. Dr. Artha L. Grace, who is our pastor. These believers wanted to see the “Vision” come to pass. The vision of New Beginning Church of Christ is “NBCOC will train its members through Christian Education who will devote time, talent, and resources to the development of her ministry. This will be accomplished through Prayer and the Word, Faith, and Patience, and Obedience and Working." In September 2005, Minister Reeves and her husband, also a minister, opened the doors of Solid Rock Ministries to us at 500 Wilkinson Street and on the third Sunday, September 18, 2005, we held our first service. While this anointed group was meeting, the Holy Spirit gave the name of “New Beginning Church of Christ” to Bro. Elbert Webb. We all agreed and so our church became New Beginning Church of Christ or NBCOC.
On the next Sunday, when Pastor Grace did the invitation to discipleship into the Body of Christ, two young ladies stepped out on faith and became the first two members of the church. They are Sis. Amber Harper and Sis. Janessa Roberts. The following Sunday, Sis. Chasity Center joined the church making the total membership three teenagers.
The members who joined on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays of October 2005 were Sis. Nincoe Byrd, Sis. Sonya Everett, Bro. Horace Hicks, Bro. Artha Justin Grace, Sis. Elaine Jones, Sis. Jacquelyn Jones, Sis. Janice Mitchell, Sis. Shameria Mitchell, Bro. Deshaun Mitchell, Sis. Janice Saulsberry, Bro. Yaw Pare, Sis Faye Webb, and Bro. Elbert Webb.
During 2005-2006, we began working on building strong ministries. We began a strategic plan of purchasing needed equipment, i.e., a keyboard, speakers, an amplifier, and a computer. These pieces of equipment helped to enhance our Music and Administration Ministries.
On the September 17, 2006, following our first banquet which was held September 16, 2006 at Georgia College and State University. The officers and members of NBCOC were installed by Rev. DeRienzia Johnson, Pastor of Driskell Baptist Church, Dublin, GA. In December 2005, a festival and Christmas Program were performed by the Youth Ministry. On New Year’s Eve, Pastor Grace baptized 10 people.
In January 2006, Christian Education began with several members joining the Master Life class. Because we “study to show ourselves approved”, in March our Transportation Ministry started when we received a van as a gift to the church from Pastor Artha and Sis. Betty Grace. In a May 2006 as a gift to Solid Rock Ministries, we purchased and installed carpet into the building as well as having a concrete walkway poured from the building to the parking lot.
In our second year of worship, 2006 – 2007, we allowed the Holy Spirit to lead us to 323 and 325 Highway 49 West. NBCOC officially purchased these properties on September 6, 2007. Thank God for four members, Rev. Artha Grace, Sis. Sonya Everett, Sis. Paula Phelps, and Bro. Elbert Webb, for stepping out on faith and making another step possible which takes us on our way to realizing our “Vision”.
Currently, we are preparing to open Joyous World Christian Childcare Center. We have had a lot of help, especially from the Baldwin County Board of Education, who gave us playground equipment, some daycare furniture, and several computers.
Many other people have stepped out on faith believing in NBCOC’s “Vision”. Pastor Willie Reid and Fellowship Bible Baptist Church, Warner Robins, GA, literally took us under their wings and carried us over… WE THANK GOD FOR YOU!!! Pastor Johns and the International Church of God in Christ, Warner Robins, GA, gave us folding tables, a piano, an organ, pulpit furniture, and other needed supplies for the childcare center. They also gave us a financial donation to purchase 50 new chairs. Bro. Yaw Pare also gave us 50 new chairs for NBCOC. Bro. Kenneth Ward, Minister Janice Ward, and Sis. Dora Collier gave time, talents, and resources that helped NBCOC. Coach Hicks and the Baldwin Braves have also given of themselves to help us realize our God given “Vision”.
NBCOC can really testify as living witnesses and say that the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 7: 7 – 8 which are, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened”. It is really the “TRUTH”.
God’s Word has not failed this church, and we give unto Him all the honor and praise.