Let us seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all other things shall be added unto us.
Matthew 6:33
Beulahland Misionary
Baptist Church
Under the leadership of Rev. James Dexter Taylor Sr., many were added to the membership, the physical building was updated which includes: re-carpeting the sanctuary, Hardwood floors, re-tiled the annex, and replaced the annex furniture. Under his leadership, the church purchased a new 2011 Ford Van.
The church was without musicians and Reverend Taylor recommended that the church bring in Reverend Earnest Dennard, along with Brother Willie Fred Hayes as the percussionist (drummer) and Brother Michael Goodman as the Base (guitar).
In 2012, Reverend Taylor and Reverend Dennard formed the Male Chorus, with Deacon Jesse Quarterman serving as President and Deacon Charlie Akins as Vice President.
As Reverend Taylor continues to reach higher grounds for the church, First Lady Renee Taylor did not sit idly. She had her hands in helping to strengthen the ladies of the church by spearheading The Women’s Day Programs the First (1st) Sunday in September. And hosted The Health Awareness Seminar the Third Saturday in September. Reverend James D. Taylor Sr., last year with Beulahland Baptist Church was in December 2014. After his departure, the church was once again without a shepherd.
On January 3, 2016, Dr. Dwayne L. Daniels was appointed to serve as the pastor. During his first year many things were accomplished which include: Ordination of Minister Manerva Z Daniels, First Lady and two deacons were added to the body, Deacon Horace Crapp and Charles Kerr. A Young Adult Choir that renders music on the first Sunday of each month and a Nursing Home Ministry. A Church logo was designed and adopted as the logo for the church. Also, a new information sign was built out front! We are moving forwarding with the 21st century and leaving a thriving social media footprint as we prepare to launch our church website. Within Pastor Daniels’ first year, the church has taken in over 20 new and returning members, including some under watch care. Pastor Daniels has incorporated a Mid-Week Praise and Worship service that takes place every Wednesday evening prior to Bible Study. This open platform gives individuals an opportunity to pray, praise and share their powerful testimonies. Pastor Daniels had a vision and saw the need to study the Word chapter by chapter and scripture by scripture and started a bible study, “A walk through the Bible from Genesis to Revelations”.
The current ministries of the church are:
Deacons Ministry which consist of the following members: Curtis Lucas Jr, Chair, Michael Morgan, Vice Chair, Charlie Akins, Horace Crapp, Charles Kerr, Alton Reynolds, Alphonzo Sanders, and Willie Smith.
Other Ministries are: Youth Praise Dance Team and Youth Choir, Young Adult Choir, Senior Adult Choir, Male Choir, Hospitality Ministry, Mission Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, Program Committee, Nursing Home Ministry and Couples in Christ.
God has been good to Beulahland this past year. We pray God will continue to add souls to the up building of His Kingdom.
OUR CHURCH
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ the Lord; she is his new creation by water and the word:
The journey begins: With the mindset of a small band of believers as they left the nurturing arms of the Greater Morris Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church to establish and erect their own church home. The task was not easy as the first service was with the Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church on West 7th Avenue and 10th Street. The following services were with Rev. Cesar Walker and the Holiday Missionary Baptist Church on west 12th Avenue.
Through faith and prayer, the 1st organizers and members under the direction of the late Rev. J.W. Whelchel, Rev. G.P. Haynes, and Rev. H.L. Anderson came together with 21 believing individuals and established the Beulahland Missionary Baptist Church.
In 1930, the late Lucille Skylark sold to the church a parcel of land for $30. A part of the annex now sits on that land. Later, the purchase of lumber was made and work began.
The builder and first members were: the late Dollie Bivins, Will Ford, Emma Barnes, Essie B. Howard, Ernest Kelly, Arthur Lee Ray, Lucille Skylark, Eunice Kitchen, Alder Jordan Pledge Boatwright, Louise Barney, and Laura Denson Stubbs. The members called as their first shepherd, the late Rev. F.B. Barney as Pastor. Under the leadership of Rev. Barney, the members realized new opportunities and responsibilities.
As the membership grew, there was a need for a larger church. Rev. Patterson and the members made plans to expand. During this time of renovation and expansions, the Pastor and members of The Greater Morris Tabernacle Missionary Church allowed Beulahland the opportunity to use their church home for worship service. The renovation and expansion was completed in 1958. On Sunday, March 28, 1958 the church was dedicated with an anniversary celebration. We are forever grateful for the accomplishments during the pastorate of Rev. T.P. Patterson. Rev. Patterson suffered a stroke in 1972. After 41 years of faithful service, he resigned on Sunday, December 24, 1972. The late H.C. Chambliss preached his farewell sermon.
After two months without leadership; Rev. H.E. Ross, of Americus, Georgia preached his first sermon on Sunday, February 25, 1973. The members were so inspired by his sermon, a meeting was held and a unanimous decision was made to ask him to be the next pastor. He served faithfully until 1974. Rev. Ross preached his farewell sermon on Sunday, January 27, 1974.
Again without a pastor, the deacons began to search for a leader. On Sunday, February 24, 1974, the late Deacon Thomas Atkins introduced the membership to Rev. Morris Hillsman Sr., of Fort Valley, Georgia. Being inspired again, the congregation held a meeting on March 10, 1974 where it was unanimously decided to ask Rev. Hillsman to serve as the pastor. He accepted and under his leadership, the membership grew.
During his tenure, Rev. Hillsman strove to renew, re-strengthen, and renovate spiritually, however: due to the weak physical structure of the church building, he proposed to renovate the church. The renovation work began January 26, 1981, with Rev. Hillsman serving as the guide, both physically and financially. The work included bricking the church, adding a finance room, Sunday school classrooms, a modern indoor pool, new pews, new carpet, tinted windows, chandeliers, and the expansion of the sanctuary. The work progressed well, with laying of the Cornerstone on Sunday, March 10, 1981.
The following auxiliaries were established and officers elected:
The organization of the first Board of Deacons, were Deacon Will Ford serving as Chairman. He served faithfully until 1976. Deacon Earnest Kelly was the first Sunday School Superintendent. The organizers of this auxiliary were Sister R.E. Ponder, Sister Alder Smith, and Sister Laura Stubbs. Sister R.E. Ponder was the first musician, and formed the first choir with the following members: Brother Cecil Barnes, Sister Essie B. Brown, Sister Janie Kelly, Sister Eva Morgan, Sister Alder Smith, Sister Lillie Stronger, Brother Willie West and Sister Emma West. Sister Alder Smith served as the first Choir President.
The first Usher Board was organized by Sister Alder Smith, which included Sister Louise Barnes, Brother Clemons Barney, Brother Floyd Butler, Sister Sally Holsey, Sister Janie Kelly, Sister Ruby Smith, and Sister Laura Stubbs, who served as the first President. Years later, a second Usher Board was formed and Sister Vassie Atkins served as the President. After her death, Sister Magnolia Hogan, served as the President.
Reverend Barney served faithfully for several years and resigned. Following his resignation Reverend T.P. Patterson, of Americus, Georgia served as our pastor. When Rev. Patterson began, Beulahland was only a frame of a building without ceiling, benches, Pulpit, and floors. Nailed boards here and there served as benches. The members initiated a called meeting at the home of Sister Mary Jordan to raise money to buy lumber. This group obligated themselves to $10 per month to buy lumber. However, Deacon Will Ford, so inspired by the spirit of God, made himself responsible for the lumber. From this showing of faith and love, came the beginning of a suitable building. The women played a big role by selling dinners and doing whatever they could to help.
Sunday, November 22, 1992 was a memorable day for the Church family, because they were able to burn the Church note.
Rev. Hillsman submitted his resignation on Thursday, November 13, 1997, after 24 years of faithful service, to serve as full-time pastor of his home church. He preached his farewell sermon on Sunday, December 28, 1997, with the message: “Roses are Beautiful, but you have to reach above the Thorn”.
This resignation caused great sadness among the members. Realizing the church must move forward, a meeting was held on June 18, 1998, and it was decided to ask Rev. Joseph Howard, of Albany, Georgia to serve as pastor. During his two years, the church van was purchased. He resigned in February 2000.
The search began again for another pastor and on September 19, 2000, Rev. Chester Askins, of Fort Valley, Georgia, became the 6th pastor of Beulahland Baptist Church. Under his leadership, over 36 members were added along with 9 member of the Deacon Board, during his 10 years, four deacons were called for labor to reward.
During his tenure, Reverend Askins implemented and played an instrumental part in repairing and boxing the rear of the building. In June of 2001, renovation were made to make the restrooms handicapped accessible, lighted exit signs, installation of ceiling fans, one hundred fifty (150) feet ridge vent.
Reverend Askins implemented the student recognition program, whereby students receive a dollar for each “A” they received on their report card.
The church began to have an Annual Black History program and the formation of the “Bonnie Shorter Scholarship Fund” was implemented. Pastor Askins donated the first twenty-five and continued to donate monies out of his weekly salary.
On December 31, 2004, Sister Emma Shiloh retired after 33 years of teaching Sunday School.
The Youth Department was re-organized by Rev. Elices Ellis Washington III, interim pastor under Reverend Chester Askins. After Reverend Washington departure in 2009, Reverend Askins took Reverend James Dexter Taylor Sr. under his wing; and made him his Assistant Pastor. Within that same year Reverend Asking turned in his resignation due to health reason, and called a special conference to vote Rev. James D. Taylor Sr. as the next pastor. The vote was unanimous and Rev. Taylor became the next pastor for the Beulahland Baptist Church.
