A CHURCH GROWING IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE
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OUR MISSION
New Grace is a place of renewed Hope globally via in-person and virtually by Spreading the love of Christ thru words and action to Gods people. We preach relevant Bible based messages to encourage all to be better each moment. Thought provoking lessons are taught to inspire a thirst for more Bible knowledge to shift the world to be well rounded believers.
We strive to create and maintain a contagious Christian love atmosphere that welcomes those who are hopeless visibly and secretly.
Our Story
New Grace
On Sunday, March 10, 1940, 3:30 p.m. at 630 Livingston Street, a club was organized into a Missionary Baptist Church, with the Reverend S. N. Webb reading the letter to show cause why we should be organized. The Charter Members were as follows: Luther Bell, Beatrice Malone, Deacon Glover, Sarah Kroger, Carrie Moore, Bessie Irvine, Minnie Thomas, Matilda Rice, Maude Stinson, Walter Jones, Maggie Coumby, Jeanette Harris Campbell, R. Spike, J. Preston, E. L. Coleman, Luke Huddleston, James R. Daye, Maude Merriweather, and L. Colston. Reverend E. M. Garrison served as Moderator, assisted by the Reverends C. E. Askew and McGahee. We were organized with ninety-three (93) members. The name “New Grace” was offered by Sister Dorothy Wright and accepted. Thus, the Club became, “New Grace Missionary Baptist Church.” After prayerful consideration and realization of the fact that we had been too long without a minister, the call to Reverend William Ferrell, Jr. was made. Under the leadership of Reverend Ferrell, the Lord blessed us to outgrow our place of worship.
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On April 13, 1941, he accepted the call, resigned his duties as Pastor of New Prospect Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, and on June 13, 1941, he began his pastoral duties at New Grace Missionary Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Reverend Ferrell, the Lord blessed us to outgrow our place of worship.
He also blessed us by obtaining a new Church home at 92 East Forest. After 14 years of service as our pastor, God saw fit to call Reverend Ferrell from labor to reward, December 15, 1955.
1940
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Our prayerful search for a minister leads us to call Reverend R. E. Eddington, who was the pastor of Calvary Temple Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois. Reverend Eddington accepted the call on May 27, 1956, and became our pastor for the next five years, until he too was called from labor to reward on February 12, 1962. Again, we were without a leader. Having been very much impressed with a young minister, whom we had heard speak at the Calvary District Association, we decided to extend a call to him. That person was to become our third pastor, Reverend W. D. McClung. On October 13, 1962, he accepted the call and took over the pastoral duties of the New Grace Missionary Baptist Church. It was under Reverend McClung’s leadership that we purchased our present location, 25 Ford Avenue, Highland Park, Michigan. After 16 years of leadership, Reverend McClung resigned on December 19, 1978. The church accepted his resignation on December 24, 1978.
For the next 19 months, we struggled without a pastor, however, we would not despair, we could not despair. Deacon Ossie Bryant, Chair of the Ministry, became Resident Agent. Reverend Louis Johnson and many other pastors and churches assisted us in our struggle, for which we are eternally grateful.
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Our Pastoral Lineage:
Reverend William Farrell, Jr. – 1941 – 1955
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Reverend R. E. Eddington –
1956 – 1962
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Reverend Willie D. McClung – 1962 – 1978
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Reverend Dr. Julius C. Hope – 1980 – 2014
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Pastor Julius E. Hope –
2014 – 2021
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Pastor Leon B. Morehead, Sr. – 2022 – Present
New Hope...
1980
In January 1980, in a special called church meeting, Reverend Julius C. Hope was extended the call to pastor New Grace Missionary Baptist Church, which brings us to our fourth and current pastor. Reverend Hope accepted the call on July 27, 1980.For 34 years, Reverend Hope was the shepherd of New Grace MBC. He cared for the church like it was his child. There was so much love and forgiveness; but also, with stern instructions. No matter where he was in the world, he always spoke highly of New Grace MBC. During his 34 years of pastoring New Grace, Reverend Hope, was a conscientiously pastor. In October of 2014, his health began to decline, and he then made conversation and reservation to have his son Julius Escous Hope to step in his place. The church was in 100% agreement. In June of 2015, Julius Escous Hope became Pastor of New Grace Missionary Baptist Church. In October 2021, Pastor Julius E. Hope resigned as pastor.
New beginnings...
2022
New Grace was without a pastor until June 26, 2022. At that time, Reverend Leon B. Morehead, Sr., was unanimously called, by the special assembly of believers at New Grace and the heeding of the Lord’s direction to have him as the under shepherd. Pastor Morehead being Holy Spirit led has ordained new Ministers and Deacons, facilitated multiple building and technology updates, as well as worked with a dedicated team to launch the “Kids Kick Back Church” for youth 12 and under, while still striving to steadily build the congregation with relevant Biblical teachings and preaching the Word of God.
