The church continued to function without a shepherd until September, with Rev. Phillip Harris and the visiting ministers. A pulpit committee was organized with Deacon George Roberson as chairman to begin the search for a pastor. This committee different from the one that selected visiting ministers. Every other Sunday ministers would preach that wanted to be considered for pastor. Rev. Harris was considered, but he stated that he was a preacher and what this church needed was an experienced pastor.

About the same time, Rev. Rowan who was our church moderator, sent Rev. Luther McDaniel to start training the deacons that were on the board and not ordained so that when a new pastor was found all he had to do was to ordain them. Rev. McDaniel added his resume to those that were being considered for pastor and he was elected to become the new shepherd May 20, 1996. He accepted in person on Sunday, May 26 and preached his first sermon as pastor on June 2nd. Rev. Albert Rowan installed him before an overflowing church on July 21, 1996.

About the middle of 1996, Bro Ray Harris started a Tape Ministry. Prior to his becoming pastor, one of the members, Sis. Helen Pryor, wanted to have all of the pews cushioned. With the help of the Building Fund Committee, Chaired by Sis. Linda Moss, these cushions became new pews and wall to wall carpet. Some of the members and auxiliaries donated $500 for a pew. Theses names are on name plates attached to the pews. Rev. McDaniel was instrumental in seeing that this project was completed.

He was instrumental in separating the deacons and trustees to function as separate boards and coming together as a joint board on a quarterly basis. He ordained four deacons; Dea. Richard Braddix, Dea. Johnny Cummings, Sr., Dea. Verise Dean, Dea. Preston Moss and Dea. George Roberson. Dea. Felix Prinkleton , remained as Chairman of the Deacon Board and Bro. Eugene Collins, was appointed Chairman of the Trustee Board. Pastor McDaniel appointed Bro. Charles Dicks and Bro. Donald Sims to the Trustee Board. He appointed Bro. Abdul Rashad, Bro. Lee Davis as deacons -in-training. He appointed Dea. Henry Knights as deacon -on-probation after being reinstated to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Bro. Ray Harris elected as the Church Treasurer after Dea. Willie Davis gave up the position because of failing health. Dea. Davis had been the church treasurer for over 20 years.

CLICK THE YEARS BELOW TO SEE MORE