CHURCH HISTORY

In February of 1952, Sweet Home was organized by seven Deacons and several area ministers. With materials donated by members, the first building was constructed in the latter part of 1952. One of the original twenty-one founders submitted the name “Sweet Home” and it was quickly embraced by all. The first Pastor, Reverend Elzie King, was called and served in that capacity for twenty-two years.

In the fall of 1975, Reverend James Allen was called as the second Pastor, and he served for eight years.

By October of 1983, the church had called its third pastor, Rev. Walter T. Richardson . Under his leadership the membership continued to grow and plans were erected for a larger sanctuary.

After tremendous membership growth, the church began negotiations to purchase 21 acres of land and in the fall of 1997, the prime comer property located at Eureka Drive and SW 107th Avenue was acquired.

In 2010, after the retirement of Dr. Richardson, Sweet Home underwent yet another transition. After an extensive and lengthy search, Pastor Jeremy Upton was selected to take the mantel as Pastor for the Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Upton led the church to a new level of community involvement and evangelism, with an emphasis on strong Pastoral leadership. Though his tenure was brief, he brought awareness to the congregation on the importance of our multigenerational make-up and the need to minister to all.

In May 2013, the congregation of Sweet Home overwhelmingly expressed their desire to have Reverend Theo Johnson serve as their fifth Pastor. Under his courageous and spiritual leadership Sweet Home remains committed to the service of God and the teaching of His Word. Pastor Johnson’s mission is to preach and teach the uncompromised word of God, in a relevant and practical way. He strives (daily) to develop and train disciples, all while engaging and evangelizing the “un-churched” and unsaved community for Christ. Into the twenty-first century, the members of Sweet Home will continue its endeavor to grow in love, in worship and in faith.

OUR BELIEFS

WE BELIEVE: The Bible which consists of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired word of God and truthful in all that it affirms. It is the final authority for Christian faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:15 – 17, 2 Peter 1:19 – 21)

WE BELIEVE: There is one true God who eternally exists as three persons: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Distinct in relationship, the three persons of the trinity are fully God and are one in essence and purpose. God has revealed Himself to be the infinite personal Creator, who is sovereign over all things. (Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 1:9-11)

WE BELIEVE: Jesus Christ is God’s eternal Son. Being both fully God and fully man; He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven to prepare a place for believers and to intercede on their behalf. (Matthew 1:18-23, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Acts 1:9-11)

WE BELIEVE: Mankind was originally created in God’s image but being tempted by Satan, chose to sin and rebel against God. As a result of this fallen condition, God’s image has been marred and all men and women are born separated from God and in need of salvation. Through personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross, we are forgiven our sins, reborn by the Holy Spirit and restored into fellowship with God. (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:9-13, Romans 5:8-12)

WE BELIEVE: The Holy Spirit persuades us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. He lives in us, teaches us, equips us with spiritual gifts for effective ministry and empowers us to live, grow, and serve in obedience to God. (John 16:8-10, Acts 1:8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-9)

WE BELIEVE: The Church is the living Body of Christ on earth and comprised of all true believers in Jesus Christ. He is the head and source of the Church’s life, which exists to glorify God. The Church fulfills its mission by celebrating the glory and goodness of God, cultivating personal growth in Christ, caring about one another in biblical community and communicating the gospel in word and action to the world. (Matthew 16:15-19, Ephesians 4:14-16, Acts 2:41-47)

WE BELIEVE: Jesus Christ will physically return to earth to establish his eternal kingdom. He will judge the world, reward the saints and rule for all eternity. This is the blessed hope of the Church and its encouragement for perseverance in faith and ministry. Those who have been reborn in Christ will live with Him forever . (John 14:1-3, Matthew 24:29-31, Revelation 19:11-21)