The Journey of Greater Golden Gate Baptist Church began when a group of concerned persons met on October 28, 2000, to discuss the organization of a church. This meeting was held at Christ Holy Temple Baptist Church, where Rev. Herman Williams was pastor. Though the purpose of the meeting was for discussion it was evident that everyone there recognized the possibilities that lie before them. Following discussion, Pastor Williams invited everyone to stand, read the Church Covenant and then extended the Right Hand of Fellowship to 86 persons as Charter Members of Greater Golden Gate Missionary Baptist Church.
The first worship was held on October 29, 2000 at Sandra Clark’s Funeral Home Chapel. There were 122 people in attendance that day. The next day arrangements were made with the Community First Baptist Church to share their facility. Their pastor, Rev. Mickey O. Gerald extended a warm welcome.
As the attendance tripled it was clear that we would have to move once again. On Sunday, April 29, 2001 services were moved to T. W. Browne Middle School Auditorium. Knowing this too would be a temporary solution the church continued to pray as the deacons searched. After several months in prayer regarding a facility of our own, the Lord made a purchase possible. On September 16, 2001, the first service was held in our present location.
During the search for a church home, the church family was involved in a search for a pastor. The first pastoral election was held on October 24, 2001. Rev. Fabian K. Jacko was chosen to serve as our first pastor. He assumed duties as pastor on December 2, 2001. Within the first year we moved to having two morning worship services to contain our expanding congregation. With the Lord’s help we “Burned the Note” in the fall of 2009 and in 2010 celebrated the church’s 10th Anniversary “Debt-free.”
As we prepared to celebrate 20 years of service to God and the community, the COVID-19 pandemic protocols prevented us from gathering for the planned programs. Our planned theme was "Moving With God in a New Direction, based on Deuteronomy 2:1-3; "Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. And the Lord spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward."
We can’t help but anticipate the work that God is calling us to. As in the early days we shall continue to hold to the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
