Christ Missionary Baptist Church stands on South Parkway East in the heart of South Memphis, just ten minutes from downtown, where it has been a steady presence since the late 1960s. Members call it simply CMBC and describe it as a place where "everybody is somebody," a motto that has shaped the congregation from its earliest days. From a borrowed sanctuary to a 1,500-seat worship center, from twenty-four founding members to more than four thousand added under the current pastor, the church has grown into one of the larger historic Black Baptist congregations in the region.
A House on Netherwood Avenue in 1967
The congregation was organized on May 3, 1967, when thirty-nine members left Eastern Star M.B. Church and gathered at the home of Mrs. Laura D. Jones at 1847 Netherwood Avenue. Twenty-four were present that night to hear Rev. Eddie L. Currie preach a brief sermonette and lay out a single theme for the new work: Love. "Love," he told them, would be both the theme and the power that held them together.
The first officers were elected on the spot: Rev. Eddie L. Currie as Pastor, William M. Young as Chairman of the Deacon Board, A.J. Scott as Treasurer, and Roosevelt Allen and Luther Larry as Deacons. Mozelle J. Starks became General Superintendent, Mary Bradshaw Church Clerk, Wadie Young Director of B.T.U., and Elsie Parker President of the Missionary Society. The first Sunday service followed on Mother's Day, May 14, 1967, held at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, where Rev. Currie delivered his first sermon and served the first communion.
The young congregation then moved into a ten-room house on four acres at 1785 South Parkway E. in October 1967. When an effort to float a bond to buy that property failed in 1968, Deacon Roosevelt Allen spotted a site at 494 S. Parkway E. The membership took what the church's own history calls "a giant leap of faith," purchased the building for $115,000, and moved in on Palm Sunday 1968, opening the doors on Easter Sunday with Dr. D.E. King as guest preacher.
For more than twenty-seven years, Rev. Currie pastored the church. Under his leadership the small group grew into a stable, socially conscious community known for pioneering ministry. He died on May 11, 1994, leaving the congregation without a pastor for the first time in its history.
A Pioneering Pastor at the Pulpit
On March 4, 1995, the congregation elected Rev. Gina M. Stewart as its next pastor. The election made history: Pastor Stewart became the first African American woman in Memphis and Shelby County to be elected to pastor an established African American Baptist congregation. She had been licensed, ordained, mentored and nurtured by Rev. Currie himself, and was installed on May 12, 1995.
More than four thousand people have united with CMBC under her leadership. The church has added roughly fifty ministries to its life, now employs forty full- and part-time staff, and has become known in Memphis as an agent of change and transformation. In 1997 the church entered a comprehensive renovation phase; in 1998 it added a second worship service at 8:00 a.m. and an 11:15 a.m. service, and in April 2001 began holding three services at 7:45 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. to keep up with the growth.
On October 28, 2001, members broke ground for a $3.5 million worship center with seating for about 1,500, and on June 4, 2006, the grand opening was held at 480 S. Parkway East. In September 2010 the church opened a satellite location at the Esplanade Memphis in Cordova, and on March 31, 2013, the original 494 South Parkway East property was totally renovated for administrative offices, meeting rooms and multi-purpose space.
The Rev. Dr. Gina M. Stewart
Pastor Stewart holds a B.B.A. from the University of Memphis, an M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Trevecca Nazarene College, an M.Div. from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a D.Min. from The Interdenominational Theological Center, and has attended the Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute for Church-Based Community and Economic Development. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.
She serves as President of Lott Carey Foreign Missions Society, on the National Board of the NAACP, and as a trustee of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology. She co-convenes the Women in Ministry Conference and founded Greater Works, Inc., a nonprofit devoted to philanthropy and ministry development. In June 2021 President Joseph R. Biden awarded her the President's Volunteer Service Award and pin. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Mission and Core Values
The church describes itself as the body of Christ, "exalting God's greatness, evangelizing God's world, edifying, equipping and empowering God's people to express God's love." Its vision is to raise up an army of transformed, kingdom-minded disciples who transform lives, communities, and the world. The congregation is identified as "Hearers and Doers of the Word" - living the faith in word and in deed.
Seven strategic drivers shape the work: Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Ministry and Service, Fellowship, Stewardship, and Excellence. The core values named on the church's own pages are Biblical and Spiritual Authority, Commitment to Excellence, Congregational Care, Evangelism, Global Impact, Prayerful Action, and Prophetic Witness, with a stated commitment to speaking truth to power, challenging injustice, and standing in solidarity with the oppressed.
Sunday Morning on South Parkway East
Worship at CMBC is hybrid: in person at the South Parkway East campus and livestreamed each Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Central. The on-campus service runs roughly ninety minutes, and the 11:00 a.m. worship is the regular weekly gathering. Communion is observed on the second Sunday of each month, and baptism on the third Sunday, both in the 11:00 a.m. service.
The full church staff helps make Sunday run smoothly. The Usher Ministry, led by LaJuana Gibson and Monique Holley, greets members and visitors at the door. The Greeters under Jacqueline Jackie Williams and Crystal Steward offer hospitality and basic information, and Guest Services, led by Mildred Collins and Chundra Brown, disseminates information about ministries and events. The Higher Calling Human Resources Ministry, led by Dr. Deneen Lester, supports staff and operations behind the scenes.
The Music Ministry, under Minister Deborah D. Flagg, leads worship with a staff ensemble, a selected Praise Team, and the broader choir. The Liturgical Dance ministry, led by LaRonia Sawyer, brings dance as a praise and worship tool. Dramatic Arts, led by Tasha Ealy, provides theatrical and production opportunities that include set design, costume design, stage management, and makeup artistry.
On Wednesdays, the congregation participates in a six a.m. to six p.m. congregational fast, supported by weekly devotionals in the Fast Focus series. The "Prevailing Prayer" prayer call follows at 8:00 p.m. each Wednesday, except on holidays.
Fifty Ministries Around One Mission
Christ Missionary organizes its work into roughly thirteen ministry divisions, each led by a director and supported by teams of ministers, deacons, and volunteers.
- Administrative Services - led by Pastor Cornealius Chuck Lester, with clerical support, the church clerks under LaWanda Cooper, Guest Services, the Higher Calling Human Resources Ministry under Dr. Deneen Lester, the Usher Ministry, and Greeters.
- Congregational Care - led by Pastor Nadolyn Dunigan, with the Deacon Ministry under Deacon Jan Carrell and Patrick Robinson, the First Response Team of health-care-professional members who respond to hospitalized members, the Koinonia fellowship ministry, Homebound Visitation under Cynthia Hightower and Felicia Walton, and the Shepherd's Staff Ministry under Alicia Wigfall.
- Community & Congregational Life - led by Deacon Phletia Jones and Deacon Anthony Johnson, including the Men's Ministry under Deacon Tobias Towers, the Senior Jewels ministry under Rosa Coleman, the Keepers of the Covenant marriage ministry under Sharon and Reggie Carr, the Intercessory Prayer ministry under Min. Beverly Washington and Min. Angela Dedrick, the RAPHA health and wellness ministry, the Resource Ministry under Tiffany Bailey, and Imago Dei Photography under Jarryl JD McCollins.
- Counseling and Small Groups - led by Dr. Deborah Carter, with the Counseling Ministry, Stephen Ministry for one-on-one Christian care, the Soul Survivors ministry for those affected by serious illness under Deacon Gwen Madden, and LIFE Groups.
- Disciple Development - led by Pastor Marilyn Smith, providing Biblically sound curriculum across the congregation.
- Facilities Maintenance - led by Rev. Jesse Bullock, with the Transportation Ministry under Deacon David Dunigan providing rides to and from worship and church events.
- Finance - led by Willie Skipper, Jr., with Showanda Roberson as Assistant Director.
- Information Technology - led by Joe Sanders, supporting and equipping the congregation and ministries with technology.
- Media Ministry - led by Dr. Stacy Dandridge and Dr. Felicia Fowler, including Social Media, Live Audio Visual under Charles Edwards, Studio Recording under Roberta Granderson-Catron, Video Switcher under K'Shaun Britt, Lighting, Media Duplication, Media Production & Editing, and Media Interns for youth ages 14 and up.
- Outreach - led by Stanita Gaddy, described below.
- Project Management - led by Maria Stewart, providing analysis and strategic support across ministries.
- Safety - led by Sara Times, including CMBC Patrol and the P.E.A.C.E. ministry under Pam Graham and Michael Finley.
- Worship & Arts - led by Minister Deborah D. Flagg and Pam Armour, with Music, the Praise Team, Musician Staff, Dramatic Arts, and Liturgical Dance.
Wrapping around the pastoral team is the S.H.I.E.L.D. ministry under Deacon Linda Williams, which supports the Senior Pastor and pastoral staff through prayer, encouragement, and tangible assistance. A Women In Ministry Scholarship in Pastor Stewart's name has been established at Memphis Theological Seminary to assist African American women pursuing seminary education.
Feeding Memphis: Outreach Beyond the Walls
The Outreach division, under Stanita Gaddy, extends the church's life into the surrounding community.
Adopt-A-School partners CMBC with neighborhood schools for tutoring, mentoring, and educational enrichment. Bread of Life provides a free weekly lunch along with inspiration. The Bereavement Ministry, led by Pat Brodnax and Deacon Charles Gooden, ministers to grieving families by serving fellowship meals. Benevolence and Emergency Assistance helps people in crisis with rent, utilities, food, and other emergencies, with extra attention to senior citizens.
Two practical resource ministries operate as the church's pantry and closet. The Fishes and Loaves Food Pantry, led by Stanita Gaddy, provides emergency food assistance and raises awareness about hunger, homelessness, and poverty. Threads for Life, under Pam Hendricks, supplies personal apparel - clothes, shoes, outerwear, and accessories - to men, women, and children in the congregation and surrounding community.
Two further arms reach beyond the city. Echoes Global Outreach, led by Deacon Freddie Payton, extends the church's Christian witness through evangelism, education, outreach ministry, and financial support in partnership with global communities. Evangelism is a standing ministry of the division, focused on growth and on "winning the lost at any cost," in the church's own words.
Children, Students, and the PromiseLand
Children's ministry is led under the umbrella of Student Ministry by Pastor Connita Hill. The youngest group, PromiseLand, serves ages two through PreK on the first, second, and fourth Sundays. Through hands-on discovery, storytelling, and multimedia, children learn who they are, whose they are, and what authority has been given to them. Beginnings I and II, for children in grades K-4, meet on the second and fourth Sundays at CMBC South, across from the main sanctuary, with a strong biblical foundation.
The Worship and Arts Children's ministry gives young people early exposure to music, drama, and dance, with weekly Wednesday rehearsals from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The Children's Bible Study, led by Min. Connita Hill, supports family discipleship through the week. Online, a library of downloadable coloring sheets keeps children engaged between Sundays.
For youth ages 14 and up, Media Interns offers hands-on experience with the multi-media ministry, growing alongside the team that produces the church's broadcasts. The Young Adult Ministry, part of Community and Congregational Life under Kisha Miller, gathers the next generation of leaders. Senior adults find fellowship and Christ-centered engagement through the Senior Jewels ministry under Rosa Coleman, while Keepers of the Covenant under Sharon and Reggie Carr nurtures married couples.
A Voice for Justice and a Global Reach
Christ Missionary Baptist names "Prophetic Witness" as a core value and describes itself as a church called "to speak truth to power, challenge injustice, and advocate for righteousness in society," standing "in solidarity with the oppressed." The affiliated organizations listed on the church's pages reflect that posture: Greater Works, Inc., the nonprofit founded by Pastor Stewart; Lott Carey, the foreign missions convention of which she serves as President; the NAACP, on whose National Board she serves; and the SDP Conference and Women in Ministry Conference, both co-convened by Pastor Stewart.
The church also maintains an online presence that mirrors its in-person life. Worship services are livestreamed and archived for on-demand viewing. A podcast carries the message further through Anchor FM. Social Media is treated as a digital ministry in its own right, using Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms to extend spiritual care, formation, witness, and evangelism to online spaces.
Plan Your Visit
The church campus sits at 480-494 South Parkway East in Memphis, Tennessee, 38106, just minutes from downtown. From downtown or Frayser, take I-240 South to the South Parkway West exit and continue west on South Parkway E. past Driver Street; the church will be on the right. From Whitehaven or Mississippi, take I-55 North or I-240 West to I-240 North, exit at South Parkway West, and continue on South Parkway across Lauderdale. From East Memphis, Germantown, or Hickory Hill, take I-240 West to the I-55 North and I-240 North exit, then I-240 North to South Parkway West, continuing across Lauderdale to the same address.
The congregation is welcoming and warm. There is no official dress code: Sunday best or appropriate casual attire are both acceptable. Visitors arriving on a Sunday can expect to be greeted by the hospitality team, checked in, and escorted into the sanctuary. Worship is hybrid, so anyone unable to attend in person can join the live stream on Sunday mornings or watch services on demand later in the week.
The office is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and can be reached at 901-948-9786, with a fax line at 901-774-0399 and a general email at cmbc@christmbc.org. Prayer requests can be sent to prayer@christmbc.org. Anyone wishing to unite with the church can complete the New Member Connect form online, and a member of the Shepherd's Staff will follow up. Those who want to volunteer can reach Director Ann Terry at annieterry60@gmail.com or text CMBC to 84576 to sign up for the text blast. Online giving is available anytime through PushPay, CashApp ($ChristCMBC494), or by texting christmbc to 77977.