HISTORY OF MT. NEBO BAPTIST CHURCH & LIFE CENTER
Mount Nebo Baptist Church was organized between the years of 1898 and 1900. It was the first Baptist Church in the Thomasville Community. The first church services were held in a building known as “Mount Nebo Lodge Hall”, located one and one-half miles below the Federal Prison, averaging 15 members. Later, the building and grounds were purchased by the members. The pastor at that time was Reverend Zimmerman. Services were held on the first and third Sundays.
During the early years, there was a succession of pastors. In 1936, the Reverend P. J. Dotson was called as pastor. In 1954, Dr. Dotson and Deacon Sherman acquired the property where our former church stands (1043 Kipling Street-a little less than one acre).
Dr. Dotson’s health began to fail in the later years, and Reverend Anthony J. McMichael came to us as our Co-Pastor in the Spring of 1971. Due to the illness of Reverend Dotson, Reverend McMichael took on the leadership role of heading the church and its progress. Dr. Dotson’s service as pastor ended in his death on August 12, 1981. Installation services for Reverend McMichael were held November 18 through November 22, 1981. This installation marked the beginning of a new administration and era given to us by our new leader.
Under the pastorship of Reverend McMichael, numerous accomplishments have been achieved. We added a new Church bus, baby grand piano, and completed numerous church renovations. Mt. Nebo also greatly improved its financial status while tripling membership. Our major accomplishment included the purchase of two houses and eight and one-half acres of land in the Thomasville area.
Reverend McMichael came to our Church with a vision. Reverend McMichael led the church to purchase 10 acres of land, accommodating the growth of the Mt. Nebo we know and love today. He stated that God said, “Hear me Son and act right now.” God showed him a vision of a new Church and a life center. This Church was built upon “Higher Ground”. The vision seemed overwhelmingly impossible, but thank God our Church fell in line with this great “One Vision”.
On October 4, 1987, the Groundbreaking Ceremony was held for the construction of our new church edifice. The construction included two levels to the building. The first level included a Sanctuary with balcony and furnishings, sound system, stained-glass windows, multi-purpose room, pastoral suite (the pastor’s office, administrative office, and ministers’ room), fellowship hall, commercially equipped kitchen, 2 modern restrooms, and a large mall with a water fountain and winding staircases that lead to the second level. The second level has ten rooms including a conference room.
Mt. Nebo Baptist Church’s Life Center was built in 1997. This two-story facility is a multipurpose unit that operates a Christian Academy, Georgia Pre-K Program, computer lab, indoor track, fitness center with Jacuzzis and steam rooms, full commercial kitchen, and full basketball court with bleachers and a stage. This site is known as Mount Nebo Baptist Church and Life Center.
Pastor McMichael's vision for Mt. Nebo included a Christian Education Department, a Big Brothers Program that served the community and Wednesday Night Family-2-Family. Family-2-Family included Community Dinner; and Bible Study classes for Youth, Pre-teens, Teen Peer Pressure Groups, Men-to-Men, Women in Spiritual Action, Young Adult Singles, and New Members.
Mt. Nebo also has a Community “Out-Reach” Program that serves its Sick and Shut-in members. At one time, the Church served the community through radio broadcasts on two radio stations.
There was a vision for a rehab center adjacent to the church, originally a liquor store. The church and the pastor acquired the land and building, one and one-half acres; converted it to a rehab center known as the Serenity Club. The rehab center facilitates counseling, group sessions, and referrals to psychological professionals for those persons with numerous addictions, free of charge
The pastor saw a need for a presence in Clayton County which is adjacent to Fulton County. On January 4th, 2004, as part of its ongoing commitment to community outreach, the church dedicated a second location, Mount Nebo Cathedral South in Jonesboro, Georgia. Services begin at Noon each Sunday, and Family to Family Bible Study and New Members class is held each Friday at 7:00 p.m. This is Mt. Nebo’s effort to go beyond the Thomasville community to bring gospel to everyone. One church, two locations.
Mount Nebo Baptist Church and Life Center and Mount Nebo Cathedral South is a ministry of hope. This is what Mt. Nebo brings to people. If you have hope in Christ, prosperity will automatically find its place.