History

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History of Higher Calling Baptist Church

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To God be the Glory, for the great and marvelous things He has done. We marvel over His goodness, His mercy, and His awesomeness. So many wonderful things have happened since our last Church Anniversary. We will only list a few in this publication. They are as follows:

The Beginning - 2001-2002

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 KJV

The Higher Calling Baptist Church is a ministry straight from Heaven above. The vision for this new ministry came to our Pastor and our First Lady, the Reverend John Melvin and Mrs. Patricia Wooten.

Thirteen visionaries met to organize October 12, 2001 at Brother Terrry Farmer's house. Our first service was held November 4, 2001 at our temporary location, The Toisnot Middle School, 1301 Corbett Avenue, in the city of Wilson, North Carolina. It is from the very first service, the Lord truly blessed with people joining and becoming a part of our fellowship.

The first members were
First Lady Patricia Wooten
Terry Farmer
Esther Coe
Belinda McPhail
Barbara Knight
Natalie Pope
Jasmine Cox
Donielle Coe
Elix Coe
Anna Best
Sonia Wingate
Brittany Buchanan
Janet Underwood

Every Wednesday night thereafter for about two months, we would have Bible study at Brother Farmer's house or in "The Barn" at Mr. and Mrs. James Buchanan's home. As time went on, becoming acquainted with Pastor Coefield and the Higher Heights Ministries, they opened their church doors to us to have Bible study or any other service that we wanted to have. We truly thank God for them.

A choir was organized and named "The Voices of Praise" and they sang at the initial Morning Worship Service.

People began to visit our services and many joined and wanted to be baptized. The Mary Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Lucama, North Carolina, graciously opened their doors for us to utilize their Baptistry. The first member Baptized was Detrice Peterson.

By January 2002, the Ministerial Staff had grown to include:

  • Reverend Vivian Langston
  • Reverend Torrii Peoples
  • Reverend Geraldine White
  • Reverend Tammy Pender
  • Reverend Dionne Barnes, and
  • Reverend Faye Woodard

We kept fasting and praying to God for a place we could call "home". God truly answers prayers. Much communication and correspondence was made to the owners of our present dwelling. As the saying goes "What God has for you, it is for you". The contract was sent to us and we signed on January 23, 2002.

The first Sunday in March of 2002 was our first service in our new "home". Now mind you, much cleaning, painting, building the pulpit and choir stand area had to be done to the church in order for service to be held. Our faithful members, family and even some friends helped in every way.

The windows of heaven did open even more. So many people and churches donated so much to us — the chandeliers, the piano, the organ, hymnals, communion set, refrigerator, furniture, etc. God stamped His approval on the ministry.

As the Church grew in membership, it was evident for the need of various Ministries and Committees.

The original ministries were
Sunday School
Adult and Youth Ushers
Adult and Youth Choirs and Musicians
Diaconate
Praise and Worship
Women's and Men's Conferences

2009 Women's Ministry
2009 Women's Ministry

The first committees formed were
Hospitality
Finance
Executive Council

In April of 2002, plans were made for our first fund raising project to be launched in May — a barbecued chicken sale. It was very successful and well planned. Also in May, our first dedication was held. It was for our Pastor and First Lady's daughter, Little Miss Johnna Patrice Wooten, was a glorious event. The first Sunday in May marked our first Evangelistic Service conducted by the Associate Ministers of the church.

As time goes on, we find ourselves with half the year gone, as the saying goes "time flies when you're having fun". We celebrated our first Victory Celebration with a week of preaching, teaching and signing, To God Be The Glory!

In July, the first outing for our Youth was held at the Recreation Center here in Wilson. They had so much fun swimming and enjoyed the cookout. Many things are done to try and motivate and encourage our Youth.

So much transpired in this first year — God continued to shower us with more blessings. In September, we were blessed with our first Ordained Deacon — a woman mind you.

October marked the first Pastor's Anniversary for the shepherd of this flock. A man of God with a vision, a zeal for the Word and love for the people of God.

We started out with 9 members, November 4, 2001. We all know that God adds to the church as needed. As of November 3, 2002, we had 64 members on the role. Again we say, To God Be The Glory!

Our Pastor, with the help of God continues to lead us to another level of praise, "It is not church as usual." God continues to mold, shape and make us into what He would have us to be. It was a beautiful, prosperous and uplifting year.

As we strive to be a beacon of light in this community, in this city, we pray that God will elevate and illuminate us as we go on — —


2nd Church Anniversary

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"As the heart pantheth after the water brooks, so pantheth my soul after thee O God." Psalm 42:1 KJV

  • On November 17, 2002, Deacon Bettie Smith was installed as our first deacon.
  • The last week of November 2002, our baptism pool was installed.
  • On December 21, 2002, we held our first baptism at our own church. The members who were baptized that day were: Jennifer Farmer, Tameka Farmer, James McEachin Sr., Christin Smith and Miriam Smith.
  • Also, on December 21, 2002, we held our first Christmas program.
  • On December 29, 2002, Brother Tony and Reverend Dionne Langston were married at Higher Calling. This was the first wedding performed in our sanctuary.
  • On December 31, 2002, we held Watch Night service at Higher Calling. Our guests were Pastor Taneka Everrette and The Healing and Deliverance Ministry, Lucama, North Carolina.
  • On April 13, 2003, the J. M. Wooten Male Chorus debuted. The will be singing on the second Sunday of each month.
    J. M. Wooten Male Chorus in 2007
  • On April 19, 2003, an Easter play entitled "The Funeral Of Jesus" was presented. The play was written and directed by Deacon Bettie Smith.
  • On May 11, 2003, we held our first Women's Day service with speaker Overseer Betty Ann Draughn.
  • On May 18, 2003, Reverend Stacy Smith preached her initial sermon entitled, "That Was Then and This Is Now".
  • On May 25, 2003, we held ordination services for Deacon Jeanie Burney and Deacon Terry Farmer.
  • On June 15, 2003, we held our first Men's day service.
  • On the week of July 14 - 18, 2003, we held our first Vacation Bible School under the direction of Reverend Tammy Pender.
  • On July 20, 2003, we held ordination services for Reverend Dionne Langston and Reverend Tammy Pender.

God has also blessed us with church furniture, communion ware, choir robes, hymn books and the list goes on. He has truly blessed us exceedingly and abundantly above all that we asked for or even though and He is not through with us yet. We will continue to trust and obey Him, "for we've found out, that if we trust Him, He will provide".

2002 - 2003 Executive Council

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path" Proverbs 3:6 KJV

Pastor J. Melvin Wooten
First Lady Patricia Wooten
Reverend Tammy Pender
Reverend Faye Woodard
Reverend Dionne Langston
Reverend Vivian Langston
Reverend Stacy Smith
Deacon Terry Farmer
Deacon Jeannie Burney
Deacon Bettie Smith
Sister Janet Underwood
Sister Belinda McPhail

2002 - 2003 Ministerial Staff

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" Romans 10:14-15 KJV

Reverend Dionne Langston
Reverend Faye Woodard
Reverend Tammy Pender
Reverend Vivian Langston
Reverend Stacy Smith
Reverend Torri Peoples
Pastor Geraldine White

2002 - 2003 Diaconate Ministry

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2 KJV

Deacon Bettie Smith
Deacon Jeannie Burney
Deacon Terry Farmer

2002 - 2003 Finance Committee

Sister Esther Coe
Sister Janet Underwood
Reverend Faye Woodard
Reverend Stacy Smith

2002 - 2003 Ushers

Sister Patricia Farmer
Deacon Jeannie Burney
Sister Bettie Lucas
Sister Doris McEachin
Sister Jennifer Farmer
Sister Jean Buchanan
Sister Tameeka Farmer
First Lady Patricia Wooten
Sister Evangeline Bynum
Sister Janet Underwood
Sister Shenay Lockhart
Brother Rodney Richardson
Sister Tiffany McEachin
Sister Vanessa Mitchell
Sister Lisa Wells
Brother Kwante Whitley
Sister Destiny Hinnant

2002 - 2003 Praise Team

"Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders." Psalm 107:32 KJV

Sister Detrice Peterson
Reverend Tammy Pender
Sister Angela Morgan
Reverend Faye Woodard
Sister Cora Lucas

2002 - 2003 Voices of Praise Choir

Sister Belinda McPhail
Sister Anna Best
Sister Jean Buchanan
Deacon Esther Coe
Sister Donielle Coe
Sister Cora Lucas
Sister Cherye McEachin
Sister Angela Morgan
Sister Detrice Peterson
Sister Shiree Stewart
Sister Sonia Wingate
Sister Marshalle Woodard
Reverend Faye Woodard
Reverend Tammy Pender
Reverend Dionne Langston
Brother Quince Farmer

2002 - 2003 J. M. Wooten Male Chorus

"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing" Psalm 100:2 KJV

Deacon Terry Farmer
Brother Quince Farmer
Brother James McEachin
Brother James McEachin, Jr.
Brother Timothy Martin
Brother Willie Woodard
Brother Tony Langston
Brother Leroy Williams
Brother David White
Brother Elix Coe
Brother Rodney Pender
Brother Joshua Woodard

Director: Sister Donielle Coe

2002 - 2003 Higher Calling Youth Chorus

Victoria Smith
Christin Smith
Tangala Jones
Joshua Woodard
Rodney Pender
Taylor Atkinson
Kalen Atkinson
Detrice Peterson
Brittany Buchanan
Kanesha Mercer
Ashley Pender
Anthony Hopkins
Elix Coe
Mia Morgan
Kristen Atkinson
Johnna Wooten
Sherle James

2002 - 2003 Musicians

"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing priase." Psalm 98:4 KJV

Brother Harvey Woodard
Brother Isaiah McCarter
Brother Timothy Martin
Brother Torrey Reid

2002 - 2003 Hospitality Committee

The purpose of this committee is to serve others in a manner that glorifies our God, by displaying the Fruit of the Spirit, of kindness, cheerfulness, patience and love.

Deacon Esther Coe
Sister Cherye McEachin
Sister Elise Davis
Sister Anna Best
Sister Jean Buchanan
Sister Marshalle Woodard
Deacon Terry Farmer
Sister Tameka Farmer
Sister Shirree Stewart
Brother Leroy Williams

2002 - 2003 Sunday School Department

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 KJV

Sister Janet Underwood
Deacon Jeannie Burney
Reverend Dionne Langston
Reverend Faye Woodard


2002 - 2003 Kids Church
Reverend Tammy Pender
Sister Sherle James

2002 - 2003 Bible Study

Pastor Melvin Wooten
Reverend Dionne Langston
Reverend Faye Woodard

2002 - 2003 Singles Ministry

"It is a ministry to learn how to cope with dating and being single as Christians. It's not a hookup service for dating."

Reverend Stacy Smith
Pastor Melvin Wooten
Deacon Jeannie Burney

2002 - 2003 Women's Ministry

"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That thy may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, that the word of god be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5

First Lady Patricia Wooten
Deacon Jeannie Burney
Reverend Dionne Langston

2002 - 2003 Prayer and Deliverance

"Replace worry with prayer, and anxiety with faith." -Charles Stanley

Reverend Dionne Langston


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