Assembly of Believers Baptist Church History
“And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. – Matthew 16:18 KJV
Historical Timeline
The history of Assembly of Believers Baptist Church is preserved with the hope of inspiring our present and future congregations. It is our prayer that they will protect the vision of those who labored for the church, it’s members and the community.
May 26, 2018: Organizational Meeting – Membership/Charter Members/Name of Ministry. Sis. Joyce Raynor was instrumental in the organizational process.
May 30, 2018: Voted on Ministry Name - Assembly of Believers Baptist Church (ABBC).
June 1, 2018: ABBC was Incorporated.
June 3, 2018: 1 st Worship service held at Franklin Elementary (1701 S. Harrison St., Little Rock, AR).
June 10, 2018: Special Call Meeting to announce Rev. Nathanael A. Palmer I, accepted his assignment from God to become the 1 st Pastor of Assembly of Believers Baptist Church.
August 1, 2018: Rev. Nathanael A. Palmer I, official start date as Pastor-Elect.
August 2018: Pastor Palmer, met with Bruce Moore (Little Rock City Manager) regarding land for the Church.
August 19, 2018: St. John Community Life Center (2701 S. Main Street, Little Rock, AR) became the temporary home of ABBC.
September 2018: Arkansas Baptist College permitted ABBC to begin holding its Mid-Week Prayer Meetings/Bible Study on campus.
October 28, 2018: Rev. Nathanael A. Palmer I, installed as Pastor of ABBC.
October – December: Two members united with ABBC.
March 3, 2019: God added 3 more to ABBC.
March 31, 2019: Pastor Palmer brought a proposal to the Church to purchase undeveloped land at 6200 Mabelvale Cutoff (1.11 acres). Pastor Palmer had been in contact with the City Manager in August 2018 about property in Little Rock for sale. He was referred to the Land Bank Commission. After meeting with the Land Bank Commission, it was approved that ABBC could purchase 6200 Mabelvale Cutoff, Little Rock, AR, for $2,000.00 (although the property was valued at over $40,000.00), with the following stipulations.
- All three neighborhood Association in Southwest Little Rock would have to send letters of support to the City of Little Rock. All three sent letters supporting ABBC moving into the community.
- A CPU (Conditional Use Permit) would have to be granted. This was granted on March 28, 2019 by the Planning & Zoning Commission.
- A Site Plan and Survey would have to be completed. The Site Plan was provided by John McMorran (Lewis Architects Engineers), and a Survey was provided by Mike Johnston (Johnston Surveying), both at no cost to the church.
- Deacon Ray Franks (Chairman of the Deacon Council) made a motion to proceed with acquiring the land at 6200 Mabelvale Cutoff as the future home of ABBC. The motion was seconded by Mother Georgia Norwood and Sis. Doris Williams. The motion carried with overwhelming support.
April 7, 2019: “The Family of the Late Bessie Leakes,” blessed the church with a gift for over $21, 000.00 to go toward our building fund.
April 7, 2019: ABBC celebrated their first baptisms (Alexis Bonner and Christian McElroy).
May 7, 2019: The Little Rock City Board of Directors approved the Mayor and City Clerk to execute all documents necessary to sell the property (6200 Mabelvale Cutoff) to ABBC.
June 2019: Deed was transferred to ABBC. June 9, 2019: Sis. Sharon Cooper-Banks became the official Minister of Music.
June 9, 2019: One Year Church Celebration.
“Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for the mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” – Psalms 115:1 KJV To God be the Glory!