Our Church
Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church is one of Walton County's oldest, predominately African-American congregations. We are located in Monroe, Georgia and have the heart to serve our Community as well as the broader Winder, Athens, Loganville, Social Circle, Walnut Grove and Conyers Communities. We offer two spirit-filled worship services Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. & 10 a.m. These services regularly feature a combination of congregational hymns, praise & worship, scriptural readings, investment in the Kingdom, the invitation to discipleship, and a Gospel message. As a continuum of our Christian heritage, we celebrate Holy Communion the forth Sunday of each month.
At Macedonia, we minister to all: families, singles, married couples, men, women, seniors, young adults, teens, and children. We are a diverse congregation with varied socioeconomic levels ranging from low income to upper middle income; comprised of professionals, entrepreneurs, white collar/blue collar working class, college students, retirees, sick & shut-in individuals, service providers, non-profit, etc.
We dedicate ourselves to reading, studying and following God's word; to constant prayer for guidance and empowerment; to worshiping and praising God; to making disciples for Jesus Christ; to being His servant in the service and liberation of humanity; and to seeking continual growth toward full Christian maturity.
OUR HISTORY
A small group of religious believers organized Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in 1885.
After its organization, Reverend Kelly Lewis was installed as pastor. He served as pastor for 18
years. During his term, the following members served as the first officials of the church: Deacon
John Hayes, Deacon Ruben Manley, Sister Sarah Simmons, Sister Litha Stone, and Sister Nellie
Mikle. Under the leadership of Rev. Lewis, the membership grew and built its first church edifice
on an acre of land purchased from the late Isaac Keeton.
Reverend Robert Moncrief became pastor and served for 26 years. During his administration, a
second church edifice was constructed. Deacons at this time included: Sidney Baines, Green
Battle, Joe Braswell, Abe Briggery, Dennis Broughton, John Hayes, Sam Hughey, Choice
Jackson, Ruben Manley, Charlie Smith, and Johnny Sorrells.
In 1914, the congregation purchased a wooden structure from First Baptist Church of Monroe
(white congregation) and moved this structure in sections using mules and wagons. Reverend W.
M. Maxwell, Reverend N. O. Manley, Reverend T. E. Weems, Reverend W. M. Mitchell, and
Reverend C. L. Daughtery each ministered to the congregation for a few years. Reverend R. D.
Bizzle pastored Macedonia for twelve years, and Brother Johnny Broughton, Sr., Brother Leroy
Martin, and Brother James Lee Sorrells were ordained deacons.
Macedonia continued to grow under the stewardship of Reverend B. B. Cantrell, who ordained
Brother Clarence Mapp and Brother Earl Broughton, Sr. as deacons. Reverend J. J. Grogan and
Reverend W. M. Garrison administered to the Macedonia Church family for approximately five
years each. In 1969, Rev. John Allen Jones was installed as pastor and faithfully served the
congregation until his illness. Under his leadership, Brother Grady Broughton, Sr., Brother
Fletcher Locklin, Brother James L. Ramey, Brother Harrison Sheats, Brother Samuel Terrell, and
Brother Robert Woods were ordained as deacons.
Tragedy struck in January 1978 when the church edifice that was purchased in 1914 was
destroyed by fire. Heartbroken, yet still faithful to their religious beliefs and the memories of
Macedonia, the members began immediately to make plans to rebuild their place of worship. On
October 22, 1978, a new structure was dedicated to God and the service of humanity. Making it
even more convenient for the members, the congregation voted to hold services on second
Sundays, as well as on fourth Sundays.
Reverend James L. Ramey became Assistant Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in 1983. In an
effort to expand its boundaries, four additional acres of land was purchased by the church in
1984. Under the leadership of Reverend John A. Jones, Brother James L. Lawson, and Brother
Wendell Baker, Sr., were ordained as deacons in 1989.
Tragedy struck once again as the Macedonia Church Family mourned the passing of Pastor John
Allen Jones in September 1989. In November 1989, Reverend James L. Ramey was installed as
Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church.
In April 1990, fifth Sunday services were instituted, and we began having service every Sunday in
January 1991. Under the leadership of Reverend James L. Ramey, Brother Harvey Lawson was
ordained as a deacon in March 1992.
Reverend Grady H. Hendricks, Jr., was installed as pastor of Macedonia in March 1993. In
March 1995, Minister Rodney A. Lackey, Sr. was ordained, now pastoring Antioch Baptist
Church, Gainesville, GA. In September 1998, Bro. Earl Broughton, Jr. and Bro. Gary Durham
was ordained as deacons.
In 1997, construction began on a new fellowship hall that was dedicated June 8, 1997. As we
continue to be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, God is continuing to bless the
Macedonia Church Family.
Under the leadership of Pastor Hendricks, several ministers were licensed to preach the Gospel:
Rev. Rodney A. Lackey, Sr., Evangelist Daphane Durham, Minister James Livingston, Evangelist
Seretha Lawson, Minister Warren Hendricks, Minister Alfred S. Jones, Sr., Minister Eric Floyd,
Minister Sonia Broughton, Minister Joseph Braggs, Minister Gary Walker, Minister Bernard
Walker.
During the history of the Macedonia Church, six members have been ordained into ministry:
Brother Harry L. Carter, Brother Johnny Bloodsaw, Deacon James L. Ramey, Brother Rodney
Lackey, Brother Gary Walker, and Sister Sonia Broughton.
Minister under the leadership of Pastor Grady H. Hendricks, Jr., as of May 2017, are Minister
Sonia Broughton, Minister Seretha Lawson, Minister Joseph Braggs, Minister Clara Sheats, and
Minister Robert Kimble.
Clerks during the history of the church have included: Deacon Sidney Baines, Deacon Tony
Thompson, Deacon Henry Lee, Deacon Johnny L Broughton, Sr., Sister Idora Battle, Sister
Pearlie Ramey, Sister Catharine Thompson, Sister Bernita Franklin, Sister Gina Paschal, Sister
Evette W. Jones, Sister Sophia A. Broughton, and Sister Dawn Lawson.
Musicians during the history of the church have included: Sister Rose M Ison, Sister Lola Mae
Smith, Sister Maurice Brown, Sister Bertha Barclay, Sister Deborah Carr, Brother Brian Ramey,
and Sister Tolita Parks. Serving for over 25 years, Sister Tracey Woods Broughton presently
serves as the church musician.
On May 28, 2017, Bishop Teco Lamones Manuel, D.Min., graciously accepted the mantle passed
down from Reverend Grady H. Hendricks, Jr., after Twenty-Three years of faithful service to
become the Senior Pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church.
As we look back over the years and seeing how far we've come with the Lord, our hearts and
minds cannot help but remember the past, to see where God has brought us from and what He
has brought us through. We cannot help but rejoice in the present, because we know if it had not
been for God, we would not be where we are today. All this leads us to reach for the promise
because this world is not our home; we are mere strangers passing through. As God increases the
flock, we collectively gather our worship and praise and sing forth shouts of praise, for He has
indeed brought us a mighty long way. We realize it is nothing we have done, but it is because of
His grace and mercy. As God continues to increase, we forever praise His name. He is the reason
we stay focused on His Glory, and this is why we are REMEMBERING AND REACHING FOR
THE PROMISE!
OUR MISSION
The mission of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church is to be a visible and spiritual expression of God's glory by demonstrating authentic alignment in worship and service to God and ministry to others. Showing God's love we strive to reach a hungry world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We fulfill this mission in obedience to God's Word with the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the ministry of Reconciliation, Praise & Worship.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create an atmosphere of reconciliation, praise & worship; thereby developing a Cathedral of Hope & Miracles for hurting people, a place where deliverance, healing, and restoration takes place. This will allow us under the direction of the Holy Spirit to lead every person to a life of abundance, whereby neighborhoods, communities, cities, states, and the countries in which our parishioners reside display the beauty, honor, and Glory of God's Holy Kingdom!
OUR THEME
The three pillars of our work (articulated in the mission statement & vision) -- Reconciliation, Praise, and Worship formulate our theme: "Let it be done on earth as it is in Heaven!"
OUR CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into a covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our hearts, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards it's expenses, for the support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
In the case of a difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot agree, we will cheerfully recognize the authority that God has invested in our Senior Pastor by following him as he follows Christ.
We also engage to maintain family and devotion; to study the word of God diligently; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the word; to be kind and just to those in our employment, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other's reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each other's joys, and with tender sympathy bear one another's burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the guidance of Jesus in the sixth chapter of Matthew verse thirty-three, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with a Bible-believing church where we can carry out the principles of God's word.
OUR MINISTRIES
Children's Ministry
Christian Education
Deacons Ministry
Liturgical Dance Ministry
Marriage Enrichment
Mission Ministry
Mother's Ministry
New Member's Ministry
Pastor's Aid Ministry
Praise Team
Prayer and Fasting Ministry
Prison Ministry
Transportation Ministry
Trustee Ministry
Usher Ministry
Women's Ministry
Youth Ministry
* This is an accurate list of the ministries that have been active at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church; however, some of them are not currently active.
OUR CHURCH FUTURE
As we remain hopeful for the future of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church we look forward to…
1. Church Growth (including healing, spiritual maturity, and membership restoration)
2. Reviving our church ministries and resuming the church's reputation as a visible spiritual leader, a strong voice, and a beacon of hope within the community.
3. Strengthening the financial health of Macedonia with an emphasis on tithing and stewardship.
These efforts are crucial to the financial health of the church and will clear the way for our ministry to become the Cathedral of Hope & Miracles.