NEW HOME MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH HISTORY 1965-2019
More than sixty years ago, Reverend Moses Gipson was called by God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. After serving ten years as a Minister at St. Paul MBC, God placed a vision in his heart to organize a church.
On Friday, September 15, 1965 Pastor Gipson, his family and Rev. Johnson met at
the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Sacramento to begin the process of organizing a church.
Their first meeting document states that eight initial members were present: Pastor Moses Gipson, Sis. Aquilla Gipson (wife), Mr. William Laws, and Miss Joyce Gipson were among those eight. At this meeting a consensus was reached to name the church New Home Missionary Baptist Church (NHMBC).
On Sunday, September 22, 1965, the Rising Star Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. H.L. Wade, hosted the first service of NHMBC.
In February of 1966 the NHMBC Congregation moved into the Veterans Hall. This was the first independent place they could call home. Later the move to the Seventh Day Adventist Church on 33rd Street and 3rd Avenue in Sacramento was made.
NHMBC was blessed with additional Ministers: Rev. Miller, Rev. Robinson, Rev. Jenkins, Rev. Herman Haynie and Rev. Ruffin, all assisted Pastor Gipson.
A blessing from God was evident when Pastor Gipson saw a “For Sale” sign posted on the corner of 51st and Woodbine. His immediate thought was “someday we will build a church on this property”. On August 10, 1967 a groundbreaking ceremony was led by Rev. Joseph Williams (Greater Light Baptist Church) and Rev. Tillman Wade (First Baptist Tabernacle Church). The NHMBC Family proudly marched from 33rd Street and 3rd Avenue on July 14, 1968 to their new permanent home: 6612 Woodbine Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95822.
It was under the leadership of their first President, Deacon Henry Reese, that NHMBC organized and formed the Corporation Committee in February, 1970.
Pastor Moses Gipson passed on October 18, 1978. Emeritus First Lady Aquila Gipson join her husband in Glory on the 8th day of September, 2017.
After the passing of Pastor Moses Gipson his successor, Reverend Jasper Ruffin was installed on February 13, 1979. Pastor Ruffin resigned after twelve years of service (1979-1991). Reverend Ruffin passed on December 29, 2019
Reverend John C. Rogers was appointed as Interim Pastor. In September 1996, the new of the old church was nearly complete. New Home had just celebrated its 31st Anniversary when an arsonist torched and reduced the structure to charred rubble. The building was destroyed, but not the church. Services continued, and
in March 1997, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the reconstruction.
The NHMBC congregation moved into the new building on November 30, 1997. The church was able to purchase a van and implement a Van Ministry, a significant step in expanding the church’s outreach. Under Pastor Roger’s leadership, the church saw remarkable growth. Membership increased, and ministers were ordained, including Arthur Jones, Karif Lawrence, LaMont House, Timothy Wellington, Isreal Lorant, and Evangelist Sophia Clark, a clear sign of the church’s flourishing community.
Pastor Rogers served for seventeen years and retired on March 31, 2010. Pastor Emeritus John Rogers was called home to Glory on November 14, 2014. His faithful helpmate, Emeritus First Lady Billie F. Rogers, joined him in glory on April 11, 2016.
Reverend Anthony Robertson Sr.
After nine years of faithful service at Paradise Missionary Baptist Church, Reverend Robertson and his family joined NHMBC in July 2008. Reverend Robertson served as Pastor Rogers’s assistant for eighteen months.
After Pastor Rogers resigned, Rev. Anthony Robertson Sr. was elected to serve as the fourth Pastor of NHMBC on March 19, 2010, and was officially installed on May 2, 2010. To date, under Pastor Robertson’s leadership, Ministers Reuben Lewis, Joshua Brady, Martin Isom, Barry Severe, Jason Dillard, Dennis Bland, and the Pastor’s son, Anthony Terrell Robertson II, all served as Ministers.
In addition, new Ministries were established, marking a new chapter in the church’s growth. Keeping true to our theme at the time, “Commitment to Spiritual Excellence through prayer, training, outreach, and giving,” Pastor Robertson’s emphasis on Faithfulness, Spiritual Growth, and the seeking of lost souls continued to be his priorities, inspiring a sense of anticipation for the church’s future.
On March 15th, 2020, in response to the unprecedented challenge of the Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19), Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order prohibiting large gatherings in all “non-essential” public buildings. Our church community demonstrated remarkable resilience during this time as it suspended future physical services for New Home until further notice.
Sunday worship and Bible Study quickly adapted to a new “norm.” Pastor Robertson worked with a select Team to devise a plan to ensure all church members would not miss receiving the Word of God. From this point on, all services were virtual.
During the initial 14-month period, members continued to be faithful in giving and actively called on members and friends to check on their wellness and potential needs. The next time New Home physically worshiped together was an outdoor service on May 30th, 2021. On Father’s Day, June 20th, 2021, the church doors reopened to the public for the first inside worship service since the mandatory shutdown.
During this COVID-19 pandemic, our church family continued to be successful in a unified effort to keep our church focused on giving God the glory.
Pastor Anthony Robertson preached every Sunday during the mandatory shutdown and was present when others preached. He continued to teach Bible Study virtually using the Zoom program.
Brother Ben Parker and Rodney Turner managed our virtual services via Facebook, the Church website, and YouTube without missing one week.
Music Ministry: Sister Danetta Jackson (Minster of Music at the time); Our Musicians: Brothers Ricky Center, Keenan Ashley, Roderick Giles, Daniel Martin, and Elwood Allen Jr. continued ministering through the music ministry.
The church that started with just eight members 57 years ago continues to seek divine guidance from God. To God be the glory.
God Is Beyond faithful!!!
