A Baptist Congregation on Rock Quarry Road
Macedonia New Life Church sits at 2004 Rock Quarry Road in southeast Raleigh, North Carolina, where a predominantly African-American congregation of approximately 864 worshippers gathers each week around the lordship of Jesus Christ. The church describes its ministry as holistic, caring for spirit, mind, and body, and its purpose is summed up in the statement "To be a light on a hill, helping people to see, seek and serve Jesus Christ." Members are encouraged to follow a five-step strategy called L.I.G.H.T.: Live, Invest, Give, Help, Take.
Bishop Joe L. Stevenson and the First Lady
The senior pastor is Bishop Joe L. Stevenson, a theologian, academician, and ordained Baptist minister with more than forty years of ministry. A native of Crawford, Mississippi, Dr. Stevenson was ordained in 1980 by Reverend Joe A. Stevenson of St. Joseph Baptist Church in St. Louis. He first pastored Temple of Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City for six years, where he also hosted a full-time gospel radio ministry, and then served New Liberty Baptist Church in Detroit for sixteen years, growing the congregation from 500 to 1,000 disciples. He was called to Macedonia New Life Church in 2006.
Beyond the local pulpit, Bishop Stevenson has taught Pastoral Care, Church Administration, Evangelism, Spiritual Formation, and Social Activism at Shaw University, the historically Black institution in Raleigh, where he also directs the Black Church Revitalization Consortium. He has lectured and preached in Zambia and South Africa and serves on the advisory committee for the Shikaru Leadership Academy. In August 2024 he was proclaimed Bishop-Elect and consecrated in January 2025 as Bishop, establishing The Good Shepherd Assembly of Churches. He has also been elected President of the Raleigh Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and serves as a chaplain with the Raleigh Police Department.
Bishop Stevenson and his wife Brenda, a Wake County Public School educator, are the parents of five children and eleven grandchildren. She is known at the church as the First Lady.
Sunday Worship and Bible Study
Worship is held on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. The congregation also gathers for Bible Study on Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m. On second Sundays, the youth lead their own Youth Church service. Services are livestreamed on the Macedonia New Life Church YouTube channel, and a sermon archive is available online. Giving is accepted online as well as in person.
A Hispanic Church Plant
Bishop Stevenson and the congregation are nurturing Iglesia Hispana Macedonia, a Spanish-language ministry that extends the church's reach to Raleigh's Hispanic community.
Ministries for Every Stage of Life
The ministry roster is broad and intentionally intergenerational.
The Youth Ministry, directed by Zycaelia Parker with Youth Minister Min. Malachi D. Thompson, includes Youth Church on second Sundays. The Young Adult Ministry is pastored by Rev. Mecca Dixon.
The Aging Graysfully Senior Ministry is a coed fellowship for those 55 and over, led by Deacon Frankie Smallwood. Members meet on the fourth Monday of January, February, April, May, August, October, and November, with birthday celebrations in March, June, September, and December. Activities include field trips, luncheons, movie matinees, game days, crafts, visits to the sick, educational workshops, and community outreach. The ministry's anniversary is observed on the fourth Sunday morning worship service in November.
The Christian Education ministry, led by Debra Spencer, anchors the church's teaching work alongside the weekly Bible Study. Music, Arts & Media, led by Rev. Dr. Tiffany Bennett-Cornelous, oversees worship music and the church's media presence, with a separate Audio Ministry under Stefanie Rogers and a Video Ministry under LeVaughn Stevenson.
The Veterans Ministry, led by Nique Williams, supports veterans, their families, and the wider community under the verse "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). The Street Ministry carries evangelism outside the church walls. Deacons, Trustees, Ushers, Greeters, and Security teams support the gathered body, while Drama Ministry brings scripture and story to life. The Floral Bearers assist bereaved families by providing flowers for funerals and beautifying the sanctuary for Easter, Christmas, and other seasons.
The Stewardship Ministry, led by Executive Pastor Mary Rogers, teaches tithing and oversees the church's financial campaigns, including the Common Vision Campaign and Sanctuary Improvement Campaign, and produces a quarterly newsletter.
Visiting Macedonia New Life Church
The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on national holidays) and can be reached at 919-832-2784. The address is 2004 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh, NC 27610. Visitors can subscribe to the church's email list to receive updates on the calendar and special events. The calendar is maintained through a Google Calendar link.
Leadership Team
Alongside Bishop Joe L. Stevenson, the staff team includes Executive Pastor Mary A. Rogers, Pastor of Worship, Arts & Media Rev. Dr. Tiffany Bennett-Cornelous, Director of Christian Education Debra Spencer, Young Adult Pastor Rev. Mecca Dixon, Youth Ministry Director Zycaelia Parker, Youth Minister Min. Malachi D. Thompson, Video Manager LeVaughn Stevenson, and Audio Ministry leader Stefanie Rogers.
Stay Connected
The church maintains an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, where services are streamed and updates are shared. Branded apparel and accessories are sold through the MAC Store. A weekly e-newsletter keeps members and friends informed of upcoming events, sermons, and ministry opportunities.