Jeff Missionary Baptist Church
An Original by George Lykins

The Jeff missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1951 with W. L. Franklin as pastor. Before this time we were a mission of the First Baptist Church of Hazard. We only had Sunday school and met in school buildings, store buildings, tents and whatever was available with whom ever would come out from the Mother Church. Sometimes no one would come but we tried to carry on the best we could. But God always was available.

In 1951 W. L. Franklin came to hold a revival and led us to organize our own church. This we did, and our member began to grow. 56 members. The church elected Floyd Hall as Sunday School Superintendent, Louanna Lykins as Treasurer, Martha Ograsky as Secretary. Later Bobby Hall as Secretary. These officers held until later when younger members came to help. We older ones were tired.

During the first few years of our young church under W. L. Franklin our membership began to grow. During this time we had several weekend revivals which helped a lot.

The next three years several things happened to set us back. Our community seemed to turn against us, our attendance fell to seven or eight dedicated members. God's word encouraged us to be faithful and go on and our doors were never closed although the going got rough,

In 1953 J. W. Beatty came as our pastor. Later I realized how hard he worked and what he went through to get us as a church to get us going again.

It seemed impossible to go along with him but now we know nothing is impossible with God. So we immediately began to plan for a church building, but with much prayer, tears and God with us the site was soon selected and the building began in 1954 without money but lots of praying and faith that the work went on.

Some days no money to pay expenses but with God's help, free labor, the good will of the State Board in Middletown, also bank loans we made the payments. When the basement was finished we moved in and thought we were rich. The basement housed our church about two years. Then we began on the auditorium. In 1960 we were debt free (Thank God).

Floods came several times and the damage was great. Again the Board came to our rescue.

In 1960 Brother W. E. Turner came as pastor. Our membership was 110 but we lost him in death in 1963. In 1964 Clear Creek School sent us Brother Curtis Monday. In 1966 Brother Drew Martin came to us with our membership 144, 25 in training union. Brother Drew left in 1970. In 1970 Brother Jennings came from Clear Creek School and left for a bigger church staying with us for a few months.

Members 130. In 1973 R. T. Barker became our pastor for a few months. Membership 131. Average attendance 71. In 1974 we had no pastor only supply help. In 1975 Brother Phil Barber came as pastor. He was great and helped us get started again. Membership 146. In 1977 Brother Hugh Wedding came as our pastor. He became full time in May, 1979. Average attendance 65, training union average 40. Brother Hugh Wedding stayed at Jeff Missionary Baptist Church until 1983 when he moved to Owensboro.

After Brother Hugh Wedding left Eric Davis came as pastor but only for a few months. Then Brother Charles Wilcox became our interim pastor for about 8 months in 1983. Our next pastor was Brother Paul Miller who stayed until 1985. We had a big flood while Brother Miller was there. The water got almost in the auditorium but not quite. It was only a couple of steps from the upstairs. Brother Austin Campbell came from Clear Creek in the fall of 1985 and stayed about 2 years until 1987 when he moved to Somerset. After Brother Austin left Brother Kendall Combs came and stayed at Jeff Missionary Baptist Church and was ordained by the Big Creek Baptist Church and stayed with us until 1991 and decided to leave as he was led by God that his work at Jeff was finished. He later was called as pastor at Dwarf Baptist Church. Brother Steve Haddix then came to Jeff in the fall of 1991 and was ordained on July 11, 1992 and has served as our pastor since that time.

The original church building burned down Thursday Jan. 4th, 2001. Church for Sunday, Jan.7th. 2001 was held at First Creek Baptist Church in Bonnyman. Our first business meeting on the rebuilding of the church was held Tuesday, Jan 9 th. at Lothair Baptist Church. Our new church motto is BY THE GRACE OF GOD, NOTHING IS GOING TO DELAY US, NOTHING IS GOING TO DISCOURAGE US AND NOTHING IS GOING TO DEFEAT US..
Our services for Jan. 14 th. were held at Grace Missionary Baptist Church at Glomawr. We will continue from there.

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Last Posted 03, July 2008

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