PHOTO SUBMISSION CALLAnyone having photos/images of the early church period is encouraged to contact us. We would love to have more photos for posterity. Thank you in advance!!
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Miracle Maranatha
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The Story Of How We Came To BeThe conceiving of Maranatha began one Monday evening, July 29, 1974, when approximately thirty Christian men met at the home of Brother Al Thompson, 716 Crockett Street, Covington, Indiana. These men were in like mind in their desire to establish a fundamental church, separated unto a work that would edify Jesus Christ and proclaim biblical doctrines and standards. Through their efforts, the former Bethel Church, 1301 Liberty Street [see Photo Collage], was rented from the local Assembly of God, headed by Pastor Edgar Allen, until such a time as the building might be sold.
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Thus on Wednesday evening, July 31, 1974, the "Miracle Birth" of Maranatha occurred. One hundred and twenty-one men, women, and children assembled for prayer and organizational procedures. Brother Al Thompson was elected as temporary Pastor and Brother Gibson as music director, until Pastor Fred Leonard would later take over his duties on November 3, 1974. There was no treasury, no songbooks, no material property of any substance; however, we WERE the Maranatha Church—starting from "nothing" in more ways than one!
Within a few months, attendance exploded in a "Miracle of Growth" as the church building was "bursting at the seams." The overflow of small children was sent to Brother Gene Furr's home. Tiny Tots in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the dining room, in the living room; coats and sweaters were hung over the stairway...and the floor! Junior church youngsters were sent to Brother Bob Cunningham's restaurant (then Mike's Colonial Parkway, now Vickery's Hilltop Restaurant). There tables and chairs were pushed back into the corner and children sat on the floor, singing and listening to God's Word. The restaurant lot was filled with church buses and overflow cars of the church-goers.
But alas!, the church building was sold, and Maranatha became homeless. God opened doors and, as the Israelites in their past moved into the wilderness, so Maranatha moved in the wilderness stage of their journey. The Grace Christian Academy, under the direction of Pastor Dale Cadman, offered the use of their building (known as Rabb School; located on State Road 32 in Wabash Township [see Photo Collage]). To Maranatha it seemed they really were in the wilderness--the dark basement used as the auditorium, the upstairs classrooms used for children's meetings, the inadequate plumbing facilities, the hand fired furnace and those cold, cold Sunday mornings...and the mud that sometimes served as an excellent parking problem! But God blessed! Many souls were saved and doors were opened. Then another "miracle"—without fully knowing the "how and why," Maranatha became a complete tabernacle in the material aspect. A "boxed" church building—not one, but three pianos, two organs, many desks, office equipment, refrigerators, stoves, and a "thousand" other items—was purchased from a Danville, Illinois church that had taken bankruptcy procedures. Faithful men, women, boys, and girls tithed, gave offerings, and God's supply met the people's needs. Again Maranatha was as the Israelite: a complete tabernacle and family, but no permanent Canaan. Once more God moved and wrought a "miracle." Contact, discussion, and legalities were resolved, and trustees of the former Grace Baptist Church of Covington gave the church building and grounds to Maranatha, and Canaan was reached at last: 1111 Harrison Street in Covington [see Photo Collage]. First services were on July 1, 1975, with both ordinances of Baptism and Communion observed. The stage for the "Miracle of Maturity" was set. |
Photo Collage |
We had regular church services, faithful attendance, souls saved each service, regular bus routes established with faithful bus captains—all a part of the maturing process. Interpretations for the deaf, junior church, organization of the teens, the audio and recording work, the shut-in tape ministry, the visitation program, the radio ministry, the nursery department, the purchase of a home for Maranatha's pastor had all been rapidly established.
And then a test as to the true maturity of the Maranatha family, Pastor Leonard announced his resignation and within three days moved to Tennessee. Pastor Leonard entered the field of evangelism. Our pulpit was graciously filled by area fundamental preachers, and some from Terre Haute and Indianapolis, but again Maranatha waited for God to perform a "miracle." And that "miracle" did happen in the form of Preacher Bob Hamblen. Brother Hamblen was candidate from Elkton, Maryland. He accepted Maranatha's call and with his wife, Rose, and four daughters, moved to Covington. Full duties began on June 3, 1976; however, a check of phone calls would prove that his ministry actually began the moment he was notified that the church had officially called him. |
Fourth of July, our nation's 200th birthday Sunday; Baby Sunday; air conditioning, "Beat the Heat" Sunday; actual realistic plans for the future; new members fellowship; accent on winning Men for Christ; Women's Conference at Hyles Anderson; beautification of both indoor and outdoor facilities; plans for a new building [our current auditorium, shown in picture above]; young men and women entering Christian Colleges—ALL and EACH representing responsibilities for a mature Maranatha. The results have proved the faithfulness of purpose, the intent and the extent of Maranatha's vision.
The test had been passed. Maranatha had not been shattered by a change of leadership, nor has it in the years that have followed, though faced with a number of "ups and downs." In all meekness and humility, it is our fervent desire to continue to place God as our true leader, to recognize that all "miracles" are the result of our faithfulness and obedience in Him, giving Him all the glory for His watch-care over us. Thank you, Lord, for all you have done and all you will do, as we continue in the work with our current Pastor, Kenneth Jones, to follow in like faith and spirit in continually drawing nearer you and keeping with the ministry.
The test had been passed. Maranatha had not been shattered by a change of leadership, nor has it in the years that have followed, though faced with a number of "ups and downs." In all meekness and humility, it is our fervent desire to continue to place God as our true leader, to recognize that all "miracles" are the result of our faithfulness and obedience in Him, giving Him all the glory for His watch-care over us. Thank you, Lord, for all you have done and all you will do, as we continue in the work with our current Pastor, Kenneth Jones, to follow in like faith and spirit in continually drawing nearer you and keeping with the ministry.
Baptist Church HIstory
LISTEN TO ALL FOUR BAPTIST HISTORY MESSAGES ABOVE |
If you missed the series on Baptist History that Evangelist Bob Harbin delivered on June 6th - 9th, 2019, these are available here through our YouTube channel. We encourage everyone to hear them. History is truly important and even helps define who we are or ought to be and serves to clarify our responsibilities to that.
Bro. Harbin walks us through Baptist Church history from Jesus Christ though the founding and settling of America. This history is profound and important; we should honor it by the way we choose to live each day of our lives. |
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