Church History
The Greater Little Rock Baptist Church of Macon, Georgia, Inc. was originated in the Tybee section of Macon in 1894 under the leadership of the Rev. Ruffin Williams. The Deacons serving under him were Jim Banks, C. H. Lucas, and William Pullium.Remodeling of the building on Nasbaum Avenue under the leadership of Rev. W. M. Westbroooks enabled the church to continue to harvest.
In April 1967, Rev. Canady was called to pastor. He served for 28 years. On January 1970 under the leadership of Rev. J. B. Canady, we marched to this present site at 2046 Felton Avenue. Church restorations include new sacred awnings, new roof and the burning of the mortgages. We pray to the Lord for his many blessings. We were blessed spiritually and financially. Many souls were added. The Church Radio Ministry continued to bring blessings to the church and its members. The church, pastor and its members gathered together to serve the community with its Christian ministries through the Food and Clothing Bank, visiting the sick and elderly and activities to encourage and strengthen our faith in God.
Some of the Deacons serving along in those years were Deacons Lewis Reeves, Percy Hill, Lewis Johnson, Herman K. Myles, Burrell Stephens, Clifford Riggings, Amos Harvey and Walter Whitby. In our church, we have faithful women that continue to support the church ministries. Some Associate Ministers serving with Rev. Canady were Rev. Bobby Brown, Rev. William Smith, Rev. Alfred Billingslea and Rev. Rouse.
In 1997, Rev. Gary Chatman was called to Pastor and his tenure ended in 1999. Rev. Barry Roberts was selected to be the teacher and was called to Pastor in August, 1999. He left the church in 2001 and Rev. H. Larry Eason was called on September 11, 2002 and a period of restoration began immediately.
We are very happy with our new Pastor and his vision for our church, and we can see his dedication daily, he’s like Nehemiah was in rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and no one dares to call him down from the work.
Since his tenure began, the church has paved the parking lot, installed a steeple on the church, added two bathrooms, carpeted the sanctuary, enlarged the choir stand, purchased new chairs and tables for the Fellowship Hall, completed the restoration of the bathrooms upstairs, modernized the sound system, padding of the pews, reestablished the Food and Clothing Banks that serves more than 100 families per month, added ceramic flooring, installed ceiling fans and additional lighting in the sanctuary, added office for Pastor’s Assistant, moved music ministry from two Sundays a month to every Sunday, established a TV Ministry on Cox Channel 18, established Out & Up, Inc., Evangelistic Ministry, Youth Choir, Male Choir, Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry,Youth Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, After School Program with J. W. Burke Elementary School, Summer Camp, established church website, purchased property at 961 Emory Avenue for low cost Day Care, established collaborations with Mercer Center for Community Development and Macon Housing Authority to operate a community After School Program at the Hester Bivins Center in Tindall Heights; held an annual Out and Up, Inc. Golf Tournament, and visitation of former First Lady Rosalyn Carter to Greater Little Rock to establish a statewide Immunization Program., renovated Pastor’s Study, landscaped church property, added outdoor sign.
Several souls have been saved and added to the church roll. Rev. Eason’s vision and commitment to this great church continues to be strong and resilient.