A Century on Linwood Boulevard
Macedonia Baptist Church stands at 1700 East Linwood Boulevard on the east side of Kansas City, Missouri, where it has occupied a purpose-built facility since 2010. The congregation traces its roots to 1916, when Pastor Charles S. Sanders, a member of Second Baptist Church in Independence, organized a small mission at 2104 Harrison Street. Over more than a century, Macedonia has moved through four addresses, weathered two world wars, and grown into one of the larger African American Baptist congregations in the Kansas City area.
The church's long arc is written in its buildings. After burning the mortgage on its Harrison Street home in 1933, Macedonia moved to 2205 Troost Avenue in 1940 and then to 2455 Benton Boulevard in 1957, the former home of Benton Boulevard Baptist Church, where former President Harry S. Truman had been baptized. The present Linwood Boulevard facility was built during the pastorate of John L. Brooks, whose Macedonia 300 capital campaign raised the goal of one million dollars toward a new home. Ground was broken in July 2007, the certificate of occupancy was issued in August 2010, and the first services in the new edifice were held on October 17, 2010. Phases added classrooms, Children's Church, the Little Lambs Nursery, a multi-purpose area with a kitchen, and a walking track.
The Pastorate of John L. Brooks
John Leslie Brooks, M.Div., has pastored Macedonia since 1997. A native of Kansas City and graduate of Lincoln University and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Brooks came to Macedonia after a career with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, where he rose to Vice President of Operations before answering the call to full-time ministry. He was called to pastor Macedonia on April 19, 1997 and ordained by the late Pastor Preston Allen Jr. Under his leadership the church has hired its first full-time Youth Pastor, Financial Secretary, Office Manager, and Administrative Assistant, and has licensed several ministers and ordained many deacons. The mission he points the church toward is direct: to lead men, women, boys, and girls to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Worship Times and What to Expect
Worship at Macedonia centers on two Sunday gatherings. Sunday School opens the day at 8:30 AM with classes for every age group, from Beginners through Teens to a Young Adult class for ages 18 to 39, alongside Men's, Women's, and general adult classes. The Sunday Worship Service follows at 9:45 AM. Wednesday brings Bible study twice in the same day, at 10:30 AM in the morning and again at 6:30 PM in the evening, the latter also offered at satellite sites in Raytown and NKC.
Music and the arts shape the worship style. The Music Ministry brings together singers, musicians, directors, and songwriters called to lift up their talents in praise and worship. Praise Dance welcomes members of all ages and skill levels to offer their whole body to God through movement, and the Drama Ministry produces dramatic presentations, artful interpretations, song, and dance throughout the year. Multimedia teams handle all audio and visual needs, and services are livestreamed so those unable to attend in person can take part online.
Sunday School and Children's Ministry
Sunday School is the backbone of Christian education at Macedonia, organized around the motto Life Development through the Word. Children's ministry reaches from six weeks through fifth grade. The Little Lambs Nursery cares for infants and toddlers during specified services, and Children's Church offers an age-appropriate worship experience. A separate Bible Explorer Lab invites children to discover God's Word, explore God's world, and serve God's people through interactive Bible lessons, friendship-building activities, and hands-on service projects.
Youth, Teens, and Young Adults
The Youth Ministry partners with parents to walk children from first grade through fifth grade in their faith. Soldiers 4 Christ is the name Macedonia gives its Teen Ministry, offering weekly programs with live music, fellowship, and teaching for ages 13 to 18, including Teen Church on Sunday and Teen Bible Study on Wednesday alongside outings and field trips. The Young Adult Ministry serves ages 18 to 39 with small group sessions, fellowship events, and activities open to both members and the wider community, creating a space for connection and growth during a stage of life when many drift away from church.
Fellowship Ministries for Men, Women, and Families
When a man eighteen or older joins Macedonia, he is automatically part of the Brotherhood Ministry, which links men of the church and community through prayer, support, and fellowship. Women eighteen and older are similarly part of the Sisterhood. The Marriage Ministry welcomes every married couple who joins Macedonia into workshops, retreats, and fellowship activities designed to give marriage a biblical foundation. The Hospitality Ministry prepares meals for homegoing celebrations, church celebrations, and workshops. The Nursery, Greeter, and Usher ministries work together to make every person who walks through the doors feel seen and welcomed.
Outreach, Missions, and Community Service
Macedonia takes its calling beyond its walls. The Evangelism Ministry organizes door-to-door witnessing across the Greater Kansas City area, visits to convalescent homes and group centers, and outreach events such as the Pancake Breakfast and Clothes Give-a-way and Convoy of Hope. The Prison Ministry visits inmates to share the Gospel, supports family members of those incarcerated, and runs accountability groups for ex-inmates. International Missions has sent teams to Haiti and Slovakia. The Visitation Ministry keeps members connected during sickness, hospitalization, and bereavement. The Walking Track, completed in Phase III of the building program, opens the church's indoor track to neighbors looking for exercise and fellowship in a safe and encouraging environment.
Care Ministries: Dare2Care and GriefShare
Two named ministries focus on the emotional and mental health needs of the wider community. Dare2Care is a holistic peer-support ministry staffed by Board Certified Mental Health Coaches who walk alongside those dealing with mental health issues and the family members who love them. Support groups meet weekly in a safe and confidential space, with evidence-based tools, coping skills, and a 15- to 16-week arc designed to help participants manage daily life. GriefShare, run in 13-week sessions in February and August on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM in Room 110, is a national program that combines video teaching, workbook study, and honest conversation for those grieving the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or friend. Loss of a Spouse seminars are offered twice a year, and a Living Without Mom gathering is held the first Saturday in May.
Scholarship Ministry and Internship Program
The Elouise B. Allen Scholarship Fund is the work of the Scholarship Ministry, which empowers members pursuing higher education and vocational or technical careers through workshops, mentorships, and financial awards. The fund offers a Graduate Profile for graduating high school seniors, an Educational Advancement Scholarship for current high school, college, and trade school students, the Mother Allen Scholarship for high school seniors, and a Book Scholarship for current college students.
Since 2010, Macedonia has also run a two-year Internship Program that walks young adults through ministry service. Past interns include Grandon Purnell, Aaron Hubbard, Monique Hegwood, Mario James, Clinton McCullough, September Richardson, Michael Griswold, Chris Martin, Meshia Powell, Patrick Riley, Eboni Shelby, Michael Gardenhire Jr, Jacqui Lindsey, Jarrod Morgan, Ashli Mosby, Antwan Powell, LeAndrea Thomas, Tekoyia Trice, Tiffany Brown, and Jalen Hill. Twice a year the Interns plan a full Sunday worship service on their own.
Joining Macedonia
Macedonia walks new members through its New Member Ministry, which introduces them to the mission, vision, and guiding principles of the church and offers spiritual mentoring, discipleship, and training. Visitors and prospective members are invited to come as they are. During the closing hymn of the worship service, anyone who feels called to join may come down the aisle, or approach a deacon or minister at any time, to begin the process. The church offers a Spiritual Gifts Inventory to help members find the ministry that fits how God has shaped them, and a newsletter called The Macedonia Voices keeps the congregation informed between Sundays.