Our History/Mission
Our History
In 1918, a Prayer Band of eight women came together in the home of Emma Mockabee with a vision to establish itself as a church body. It is credited to Betty Henry for giving this Prayer Band a name, The Nazarene Mission, and the first church was organized in her home. During its early organization, The Nazarene Mission moved several times while establishing itself as a church body.
In February of 1919, Rev. Baxter Barnett was called to serve as the first Pastor of this newly formed church. With the support of several ministries and charter members, Rev. Barnett delivered the first organized service. Rev. Baxter Barnett held this position from 1919 to 1920.
Nazarene faced many challenges and continued to grow under its former pastors: Rev. Will Moore, 1920 -1922, Rev William Dickerson, 1922-1923, Rev Issac Derkins, Rev. William McClure, 1923-1925, Rev. R.J. Miller, 1926-1934, Rev. Felton Houston, Sr. became ill during the year of his pastorate, and assisted by Rev. Drake. Thereafter, Rev. Mitchell D. Banks, Rev. Bransford Utlely, Rev. Justin D. Marks, and Rev. Joseph L. Trask, Sr. served Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church. These former pastors strived to grow Nazarene and organized it to serve its members and community through various ministries, new facilities, and strong leadership.
In March of 1989, Larry A Rascoe, Sr. was called to continue to grow and lead the flock of the Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church. Under his leadership, Nazarene has grown to have two morning worship services. A Christian Education wing was built in 2004. Joshua Academy Charter School and Preschool is a ministry that has been developed through a vision God placed on the heart of Pastor Rascoe. Nazarene has celebrated 100 years of ministry. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Our Mission
Connect People to Christ, Church, Calling, and Community
Our Vision
Exalt the Savior in Worship,
Evangelize the sinner,
Exhort the saint towards spiritual maturity
Our Beliefs
WE BELIEVE: The Bible 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)