| Mission And Purpose Of The Church |
| The mission of the New Hope Baptist Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ's liberating gospel through word and deed. The New Hope Baptist Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit out of which the Baptist Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of (1) preaching the gospel, (2) feeding the hungry, (3) clothing the naked, (4) housing the homeless, (5) cheering the fallen, (6) providing jobs for the jobless, (7) administering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, asylums and mental institutions, senior citizens' homes, caring for the sick, the shut-in, the mentally and socially disturbed, and (8) encouraging thrift and economic advancement. |
| Church History |
| The New Hope Baptist Church toots dates to 1859. The Church began with a group of ex-slaves who wanted a place to worship in the small community of Royse City, Texas, Rockwall County. The first worship service was held in a Brush Arbor. In 1906, Mr. Lewis Rice donated land and a small building on which the Church was to be built. Through hard work and prayers, a building was erected in 1914. Rev. G. W. Rice, son of Mr. Rice served as Minister until Reverend L. B. Skinner was called as Pastor Rev. Skinner served as pastor for a few years. Afterward, Rev. P. Wiley was called. Later Rev. T. H. Watson was called. He served for six years. Rev. B. Bobbie Banks served for four years, and under his leadership, plans for a new church were started. The Church suffered a set back. The leader suddenly left. Reverend J. E. Williams was called as Pastor in 1947. The Church was on the move again. In February, 1953 the old structure was demolished. In May, 1953, we marched into a modern structure. The note was burned in 1956. The Church continued to progress spiritually and financially, a complete remodeling was done in 1974. In 1984 Reverend Williams resigned after thirty-seven and a half years of leadership. In 1984 Reverend M. H. Cathcart was called as Pastor. He served until he was called to eternal rest, 1991. In 1992, Reverend Raymond Clayborn was called as Pastor. Under his leadership we have been blessed. Fifty-one people rededicated, sixty-six came by Christian Experience, forty-one were baptized. We entered into a new building in 1994. We are being taught New Hope priorities are to be in accord with God's directive and the members are now serving in the church with greater participation in Bible Study. Relevant, yet Biblical teaching material and subject matter will be introduced in the near future, to help those persons who have placed their lives under the Lordship of Christ in today's world. |
