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History of the Church
As we journey into another year, God has continued to shower His blessings on the Miracle Center of Faith Missionary Baptist Church for all to witness. "And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18).
Our theme for 2011 is "A Journey of Faith".
In January of 1991, 12 founders stepped out on faith to establish the branch of Zion known as the Faith Missionary Baptist Church. On November 15, 2009, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit the name was changed to "The Miracle Center" of Faith Missionary Baptist Church. God places ordinary people where He can use them as instruments of His will. Some of our founders have gone on to be with our Savior and we believe that they are still watching over us today. Others continue their work elsewhere, yet they continue to pray for the forward progression of our church. Three of the original founders who are still with us today are Reverend Eunice Turner, Deacon Peggy Massey, and the precious Holy Ghost.
Our shepherd, the Reverend Dr. Michael C. Turner, Sr., was called to pastor the Faith Church in February of 1991. He faithfully accepted the call and God continues to do great things in his life and in the life of the Faith Church Family. Under his visionary leadership, the church has experienced tremendous growth. We thank God for the vision, leadership and obedience of our Pastor who continues to trust God and lead by example.
There are others who deserve an applause of thanks and appreciation from the Faith family. We pause to thank Reverend Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., Pastor, Metropolitan Baptist Church of Washington, D.C. for his concern, advice, direction and support in developing the Faith charter that remains in place today. We recognize Reverend Dr. Tyrone Pitts and the Progressive National Baptist Convention for allowing our infant church to worship at the Nannie Helen Burroughs School for three months at no cost. We also thank Dr. Walter L Parrish, II, Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the South, USA, for his unyielding support and encouragement.
In December of 1999, the Faith Church moved from 122 Old Largo Road, Largo, Maryland, to our current site at 9161 Hampton Overlook, Capitol Heights, Maryland. God blessed us to "posses the land" and we purchased the Faith Church in May, 2000. This worship center contains 51,000 square feet of space and is valued at 5 million dollars. We held our Building Dedication and Cornerstone Laying Service on November 11, 2000.
Over the past twenty years, we have baptized hundreds of new converts, provided structured Bible Classes, established a strong and viable Youth Ministry. We have licensed 50 ministers to the Gospel Ministry and ordained 17 of those. We initiated a Building Fund Program that evolved into the Capital Stewardship Campaign and the Faith Fund Campaign.
We established a ten-week Summer Youth Enrichment Program. We also established a weekly radio broadcast ministry "Moments With Faith", to further spread the Gospel on WYCB, 1340 AM. We set-aside the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Beltsville, Maryland, the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Waldorf, Maryland and the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of LaPlata, Maryland. In 2010, we also established the Miracle Child Development Center.
The following members secured "Faith In Action" loans to enhance the financial stability of the Faith Church; Pastor & First Lady Eunice Turner, Deaconess Katie Anderson, Deaconess Linda Barros, Deacon Jesse Baskett, Deaconess Marlene and the late Minister Carroll Beverly, Rev. Cedric Brown, Deacon Wendy Clark, Deacon Brenda Coley, Deacon William & Deaconess Mabel Echols, Deacon Terrence & Deaconess Lisa Fullum, Deacon Ann Giddings, Brother Tyrone & Sister Glenda Ingram, Deacon Larry & Deacon Joyce Jenkins, Deacon Michael & Deaconess Pamela Scott, Deacon Richard & Deaconess Betty Scott, Deacon Robert & Deaconess Doris Sneed, Deaconess Evelyn Tucker, Sister Colethia Turner, Deacon Harrison & Deaconess Carla Walker, Deaconess Kathy White, Deacon Doris & the late Deacon James Wickliffe, Rev. Howard & Deaconess Sabrina Willis and Rev. Anthony & Deaconess Shirley Wright.
On December 31, 2001, we refinanced our current church home for the amount of $1.9 million. We were further blessed by the following members who relieved the Faith Church of financial indebtedness by assuming "Faith In Action" loans: Pastor & First Lady Eunice Turner, Deacon Jesse Baskett, Deacon William & Deaconess Mabel Echols, Deacon Terrence & Deaconess Lisa Fullum, Rev. Rosetta Lee-Skates, Deacon Robert & Deaconess Doris Sneed, Rev. Howard & Deaconess Sabrina Willis, and Rev. Anthony & Deaconess Shirley Wright. These have been historic moments in the life of this church, and for that we say "To God Be The Glory".
Our proud past is etched in faith, hope, and love. Our future lies with Matthew 28:19 wherein we are commanded to "GO YE AND MAKE DISCIPLES".
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