Moon's Grove Baptist Church - History
Have you ever planted a seedling? In those early moments of growth, we focus on its every need -- fertilize the soil, prune its young branches, and even shelter it from the extremities. In what seems like an eternity we begin to see maturity and then the fine tree shades, blossoms, and bears fruit.
In 1892 Rev. James Ransom King planted a church. Its growth began in a cotton gin belonging to John Franklin McLeroy. In that old building the body began to grow with eleven charter members and two deacons. Land for a church building was given by J. F. Moon. In appreciation for his generosity, the church was named Moon's Grove Baptist. Rev. Dan D. Fuller led the church into a full-time program in 1956, and through five major building programs. The Year 1992 marked Moon's Grove's centennial year. A granite monument was placed in the Centennial Garden recognizing 100 years of ministry. Special guests at HomeComing 1992 were some of Rev. King's grandchildren.
Rev. King had the heart of a missionary. He sought out communities where no place of worship existed and he organized one. His faithfulness to propagating the Gospel germinated in bringing God's people to a place in their community and lives to personally respond to the same call of Christ. Moon's Grove has echoed His Commission throughout its history. The missions commitment began in 1892 when Moon's Grove gave cooperatively to foreign missions $5.25 The commitment continued with giving through the Cooperative Program, support of and personal involvement in establishing New Life Chapel, local benevolence, community Vacation Bible School, and weekly in-home visitation. Opportunities for members to know first-hand the need of Christ in all environments and cultures have been provided through church-wide mission trips to New York and Ohio, as well as specific ministries to target groups in New Orleans, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Connecticut. Born out of a more personal call, short-term missionary commitments have been made to South Carolina, Canada, and Virginia. God's call to members of Moon's Grove falls on rich and fertile soil, cultivated with anticipation of the appropriate response of God's People.
The regeneration of Christ's hope, love, mercy, and peace is commonplace at Moon's Grove. This is the taproot of The Body of Christ. The blossoms, the shade, the fruit must image the Master Gardener -- may it always be so!
