Mission Statement:
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To reach far and beyond the four walls of the church in order to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. We are committed to saving souls and inspired by the Holy Spirit to make the gospel of Jesus Christ, real, relevant, and reachable. Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. John 14:6
We are a church with a vision to make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate: the needy, the sick, the blind, the neglected, the forgotten, and the lost. We are a church committed to reaching out into the community that is in need of hope for today and tomorrow. We envision one day the manifestation of the Holy Spirit whereby people will be lined up with one question in mind: What must I do to be saved? That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
First: We believe that men divinely inspired wrote the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament and that they are the only infallible rule of Faith
and Practice.
Second: That there is only one true and living GOD, revealed to us as the
Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, the same in essence and equal in every divine
perfection.
Third: That man was created holy, innocent and happy, but by the disobedience of one man Sin entered into the world and death by Sin, so death passed upon all men for that all have sinned.
Fourth: That the only way of salvation is by grace through Faith in the atonement and righteousness of JESUS CHRIST.
Fifth: That it is the duty of all men to repent and believe on the Lord JESUS CHRIST.
Sixth: That nothing can separate true believers from the love of GOD, but that they will be kept by His power through Faith unto salvation.
Seventh: That Christian Baptism is administered only by the immersion of believers in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and that immersed believers are entitled to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
Eighth: That there will be a general resurrection of the dead and a general judgment when all mankind will be judged according to their deeds, that the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment but the righteous into eternal life.
Ninth: That the Christian Ministry is a divinely appointed means for the spread of the Gospel throughout the world and that it is the duty of all Christians according to ability to contribute to its support.
A prayer band started at the home of Deacon and Deaconess David Jones. It then moved to the home of Deacon and Deaconess Roper Mitchell. This group felt the need of a church in the Good Hope area and went about establishing it as such. In this group were Deacon and Deaconess Roper Mitchell, Deacon and Deaconess and Deacon and Deaconess David Jones, Deacon and Deaconess Jim Hair, Brother and Sister William Young, and their grandchildren, Brother and Sister Henry Williams Sr., and family, Brother and Sister sonny Ray Stafford, Brother and Sister Clint Richardson.
Deacon David Jones with support of the group contacted the Reverend M. T. Williams from Oceanside, California, who met with them on the first Sunday in November of 1958 and organized Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in the home of Deacon and Deaconess Roper Mitchell. The members included, Reverend M.T. Williams, moderator of the Oceanside area, Reverend Harry Jameson, Reverend Henry Dodds, and Reverend Willie Daniels.
Sunday School was organized with Brother Sonnie Ray Stafford as the first superintendent. Sister Hazel Stafford was the first secretary of Sunday school, and Sister Willie Mitchell was the first Sunday School teacher. After Sunday School a 11:00 A.M. service was in order and the organization of the general church was performed.
The first chairman of the Deacon Board was Deacon David Jones. Other Deacons included Deacon Roper Mitchell, Deacon Jim Hair, and Deacon Henry Williams Sr. The three Deacons were given the charge of acquiring a church name. The church became known as Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church of Perris, California. This name was presented by Deacon David Jones.
The first church clerk was Sister Willie Mitchell and the first financial secretary was Deacon David Jones, and the first treasurer was Deacon Roper Mitchell. The first Deaconesses were: Deaconess Gertrude Jones, Deaconess Willie Mitchell, and Deaconess Leatha Williams.
It was agreed by the “Church Body” that the church would be named Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church. The total membership at this time was thirteen (13).
The first sermon was delivered by the Reverend M.T. Williams and was entitled “The People Had A Mind To Work.” Nehemiah the 50th chapter.
The church met in the home of Deacon and Deaconess Henry Williams Jr. After which, they rented a house on Mountain Avenue and remained at that location until the property was purchased at the prices of $350.00. They put $25.00 down on the piece of property. The new property purchased was dedicated to God on the following Sunday. The ground breaking official consisted of Reverend M.T. Williams, Reverend Eddington, Reverend B.A. Williams, Reverend Douglass, and the church members. The price for the first piano was $40.00.
The first message was well received in that during these years, the church had a mind to work and the Lord truly blessed this church.
The church first vacation bible school was in 1962. The junior church was organized in 1964, under the direction of Sister Irene Hunter. Sister Lois Carter was the first supervisor. The junior membership started with only two.
In 1966, under the direction of Sister Irene Hunter, the membership of the church was divided into four clubs with officers in charge of each group. The groups were as follows:
1. Deacon Henry Williams Jr.
2. Brother E. Freeman
3. Brother Ira Turner
4. Deacon Clarene Fisher
The clubs contributed greatly to the financial support and promoted great Christian fellowship. In the late 60s, Reverend M.T. Williams retired due to medical reasons and asked the church to consider his son in the ministry Deacon Clarence Fisher.
During the first fourteen years, there were three ministers licensed, one ordained, and seven Deacons were ordained as well.
The department of Christian education under the direction of Deacon R.W. Overton and the young adult department under the direction of Sister Linda Williams instituted the Black History Awareness Program.
In 1997, the Reverend Jonathan Brooks was elected as Good Hope’s sixth pastor. During that same year, Deacon Overton announced his calling to the ministry to pastor Brooks. A date was set for a trial sermon. Deacon Overton was licensed to preach on March 22, 1998. In March 1999, he was asked to be the interim pastor. He was ordained on November 7, 1999 and was installed as the new pastor in March 2000.
Reverend Overton was a compassionate leader who preached the word in season and out of season. However, God had another divine plan for his life. After retiring from the school system as a teacher, he moved to Oklahoma. Good Hope continued to press on in the ministry since his retirement. Since January 2005, the church had been praying that God would send another leader who would lead the Good Hope family on to glory. The church embraced the fact that God said in his word, “that he will never leave us nor forsake us.”
In March of 2006, the Good Hope family prayers were answered when the Reverend James Baylark was elected as our pastor. His wife Carmen and family joined our family. Under his leadership the church has been growing spiritually and numerically in the name of Jesus Christ.
Additionally, another minister by the name of R.C. Chatman joined the Good Hope family and was assigned by Reverend Baylark to be the youth pastor. In 2006, the Good Hope family hosted its first Friday night live program.
Moreover, Reverend Baylark initiated the Reverend Alonzo Simmons scholarship program to support our youth who are interested in continuing their education. Additionally, the church was introduced to the Angel Tree Foundation to assist unfortunate families during Christmas who have love ones that are incarcerated.
In January 2007, the Good Hope family hosted the first Dr. Martian Luther King Jr., Walk-A-Thon, with all proceeds going to the scholarship fund and the 1st Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., celebration and the M.T. Williams Christian Service Award was introduced and given to Deacon Henry Williams Jr.
The church started having Baptist Training Union sessions and evening worship service. Additionally, the church conducted its annual Spiritual Planning Meeting. Additionally, the church hosted the first Annual Friends and Family National Convention Day. Moreover, in August 2007, the church hosted the 1st Annual Youth Summit and Gospel Fest in the city of Moreno Valley and the church introduced the Jonathan E. Wilburn Community Service Award.
On October 7, 2007, a historical event took place whereby sixteen (16) members were baptized on the same day. New members by way of baptism 22 and by Christian experience 15. Among this group, another minister was added to our family, the Reverend Ezekiel Martin.
Since December 2006, there have been several members that have gone on to be with the Lord: Brother Jonathan Wilburn, and Deacon Vernon James, and Sister Alice Washington. As a church family, we continue to take small baby steps in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and to him be all the Honor, Power, and Glory.
Amen
Contact Info:
P.O. Box 1095
Perris, CA 92570
Ph. 951-616-0885