A 150-Year Witness on Mulberry Rock Road
At the corner of Mulberry Rock Road and Highway 61 in Villa Rica, Georgia, stands New Georgia Baptist Church, a congregation whose roots reach back to July 18, 1873, when thirteen charter members first gathered as the Baptist Church of Christ at New Georgia. From that small beginning the body grew into a teaching church whose identity is summed up in a quiet tradition: a cross, a Bible, and handwritten Scripture were placed beneath the newest pulpit so that whoever preaches stands over the message of Christ.
From a Tornado and a Fire to a Debt-Free Campus
The congregation's story is one of resolve. In March 1913, a tornado destroyed the church building, and four days later members voted to rebuild. The finished structure housed the local New Georgia School until the public school was completed, and by January 5, 1918, the new building was paid for, leaving only $11.60 in the treasury. In February 1987, the educational building was lost to fire; once again the church rebuilt, completing the new space by May 1988 and becoming debt free by June 1993. The 1997 purchase of 35 acres prepared the way for the campaign that produced the current sanctuary, dedicated in late October 2006.
Sundays and Wednesdays at NGBC
The weekly rhythm centers on two days. On Sunday, classes for every age gather at 9:30 a.m. for Sunday School, with greeters posted at the entrance to direct first-time families to the right room. Worship begins at 10:45 a.m. On Wednesdays, the church offers a 9:30 a.m. Bible study, the 6:30 a.m. Student Ministry gathering, an evening Bible study at 7:00 p.m., and the Sanctuary Choir rehearsal from 7 to 8 p.m. Sermons can be watched and listened to through the church's YouTube channel, and giving is available online.
What the Church Believes
The Statement of Faith is brief and direct. New Georgia Baptist holds that the Bible is God's holy, inspired, inerrant, infallible, and sufficient Word; that there is one Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God; that people must repent, believe, and receive the Gospel; that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone; that every Christian is commanded to go, share the Gospel, and make disciples; and that the church looks for the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Teaching Pastors and Church Staff
Dr. Keith Stell serves as Lead Teaching Pastor alongside his wife Jill, who directs the women's SALT ministry. Kevin Kersey is the Associate Pastor. Chris Turner leads as Youth and Families Pastor. Charlie Grinstead is the Minister of Senior Adults, John Shrewsbury is the Sunday School Director, and Rich Kenyon directs music, with Tracy Kenyon as pianist and Susan Arnold as organist. Ken Cooper serves as Chairman of the Deacons.
Children and Students
The Children's Ministry invites kids and their families to follow Jesus together. On Sundays at 9:30 a.m. there is a nursery for infants through 23 months, Sunday School for PreK 2-4 year olds, and classes for kindergarten through fifth grade. During the 10:45 a.m. worship service a nursery is provided for the youngest children, K3-K5 KIDS meet for a first-step ministry, and elementary children stay in worship until a dismissal time, when adult leaders escort them to Children's Chapel in the children's building for a Bible-based lesson with arts, crafts, and music. New Georgia Students, the youth ministry, gathers for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., joins the 10:45 a.m. worship service, and meets for Bible study on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m., with mission trips and local service projects woven through the year.
Women, Men, and Senior Adults
SALT, an acronym for Sisters Abiding in Light and Truth, is the women's ministry of the church, bringing women of all ages together for prayerfully planned activities, events, and Bible study, including a Monday-evening Precept study. The Ministry to Men gathers on the third Sunday of each month at 8 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall for a prayer and fellowship breakfast, with the goal of encouraging, empowering, and equipping men to grow in Christ and serve others. The Senior Adult Ministry hosts Lite N Lively on the third Thursday of every month at 11:30 a.m. for a meal, prayer, devotion, and ministry updates, alongside mission events and trips that build lifelong friendships.
Music Ministry
Music is described as a natural extension of worship. The Sanctuary Choir sings each Sunday and prepares for special services, rehearsing on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. The church uses both historical and contemporary lyrics in worship, and welcomes volunteers with vocal, instrumental, or media experience to join the team.
Outreach and Missions
The Missions and Outreach Ministry includes a Backpack Program, the Care Closet Ministry open for food distribution on the first Wednesday of each month with non-perishable donations accepted inside the Choir Room, the Paulding Pregnancy Center, a homeless ministry, an In-Home ministry, Shepherds Rest, Samaritan's Purse participation, and World Changers. International mission efforts include Ecuador, Global Faith in India, and the Lottie Moon offering through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
Weekday Preschool
The CELC Weekday Preschool is part of the church's reach into the community. The preschool is directed by Lenora Cooper.