A Church Born from Hope in Ybor City
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church traces its beginnings to February 1950, when Reverend J. G. Washington and a small group of members left Greater St. John Baptist Church on Tampa's Cass Street to start something of their own. Their first organizational meetings were held in the Ybor City home of Sister Rozelia F. Williams, and it was at one of those gatherings that the name "New Hope" was suggested. Everyone approved of the name because it captured the very thing they were searching for as a new congregation.
From those living-room beginnings, the group worshiped at several locations around Tampa, including the Pallbearers Hall, the home of Brother Goins, and the Lily-White Temple. Money was raised for a permanent edifice at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Eleventh Street in Ybor City, with Sister Rozelia Davis (Williams) contributing the first $25 toward construction. The church's roots were planted in a community shaped by Cuban cigar workers, Black churches, and immigrant Tampa, and the conviction that God had something new in store.
By 1979 the congregation had outgrown the original sanctuary and moved into its present home at 3005 E. Ellicott Street. A historic walk from Williams Elementary School marked the procession into the new building that year. The list of founding members, many now deceased, fills a wall inside the church and is honored as part of the living memory of New Hope.
Eight Pastors in Three-Quarters of a Century
New Hope has been served by eight pastors since 1950. Reverend J. G. Washington led the founding work, followed in quick succession by Reverend C. Fluker in 1951 and Reverend John Willis in 1952. Reverend Willis guided the church for more than three decades and remains part of New Hope's institutional memory; a fellowship space on the grounds is named John Willis Assembly in his honor.
Subsequent pastors include Reverend Bernard Barrymore Dinkins (1987), Reverend John L. Giles (1989), Reverend T. W. Jenkins (1995), and Reverend Larry J. Mouton Jr. (2016). On September 29, 2023, Reverend Adrian DeShon Reid Sr. accepted the call to become the eighth pastor of New Hope and the third-youngest to lead the church in its seventy-five-year history. He brought with him a preaching ministry rooted in childhood: Reid delivered his first sermon at age four and was licensed to preach at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Arverne, New York, when he was ten years old.
Before arriving in Tampa, Reid served as the third pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Brentwood, New York, where he led significant spiritual and numerical growth over five years. He holds an Associate in Liberal Arts from Nassau Community College, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from SUNY College at Old Westbury, and a Master of Divinity from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University; he is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Preaching at Anderson University's Clamp Divinity School. He and his wife, Lady Erin Reid, are the parents of four sons: Adrian Jr., Austin Dean, Ashton Daniel, and Aycen Drew. His ministry is anchored in a single sentence: "It's not about me, but it's all about Christ!"
Worship Times That Wrap Around the Week
The heart of New Hope is its Sunday gathering. Doors open with Sunday School at 9:00 AM, followed by the main Worship Service at 10:00 AM. Both take place in the sanctuary at 3005 E. Ellicott Street and are streamed live on YouTube and Facebook for those who cannot be present.
Tuesdays carry the week forward with a Prayer Meeting at 6:30 PM and Bible Study at 7:00 PM, also available online. Wednesdays bring what the church calls "Sunday on Wednesday," a midweek worship service that opens with prayer at 6:30 PM and moves into a full worship experience at 7:00 PM. Together, the schedule gives members three live weekly worship services to attend in person or online.
The livestream library is treated as a teaching resource, organized under three headings, Sunday Worship, Tuesday Bible Study, and Sunday on Wednesday, so anyone who misses a service can revisit past messages.
The Sisterhood: Three Generations of Women in Mission
New Hope's women's ministry, collectively called the Sisterhood, is organized into three generational arms that run alongside each other.
The Titus 2 Women's Mission Ministry gathers women aged 60 and up on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM, alternating between the Christian Life Center, the Sanctuary Fellowship Hall, and John Willis Assembly. Their mission is to share the good news of salvation locally, statewide, and nationally, with a vision that includes mentoring younger women of New Hope, assisting homebound members and caregivers, and partnering with an assisted-living facility in the Tampa Bay area. Sister Vivian Walker is the group's contact.
The Women's Intermediate Auxiliary meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Christian Life Center, holding bi-weekly prayer calls and regular outreach projects. Sister Darnell Taylor serves as the contact for that ministry.
The Junior Women's Ministry, for women between 18 and 40, also meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Christian Life Center. The ministry focuses on Bible study, prayer, mentorship from older women, and godly living in everyday choices. Sister Tashaney Walker is the contact.
Mighty Men of Valor
The Brotherhood Ministry, also known as Mighty Men of Valor, gathers on the second Saturday of each month from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM in the church dining hall. Its stated mission is to provide a supportive brotherhood where men can connect with God and each other through fellowship, discipleship, mentorship, and service tailored to each generation. The vision is to unite, disciple, and empower men across generations to grow spiritually, serve faithfully, and lead in their families, the church, and the wider community. Andrew Smith serves as Brotherhood Chair.
Music, Media, and the Worship Atmosphere
The Music Ministry leads the congregation in worship using songs, instruments, and praise to create an atmosphere of reverence and joy. The Media Ministry handles sound, livestream production, social media, and multimedia. The pairing means the live experience inside the sanctuary and the streamed experience at home are produced by the same team. New Hope also welcomes the public to listen to past sermons and Bible study sessions through its YouTube channel and Facebook page.
The Christian Life Center on East Louisiana Street
Across from the main sanctuary, New Hope operates the Christian Life Center (CLC) at 3006 East Louisiana Street, a building dedicated to community activities and used by ministries, fellowship meals, and midweek gatherings. The CLC is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and serves as a hub for events like the Men's Mighty Men of Valor breakfast, Titus 2 Women meetings, Women's Intermediate Auxiliary gatherings, and the Junior Women's monthly fellowship. Those interested in the CLC can reach the church office at clc@newhopetampa.org.
Baptism, Membership, and a Path to Belong
Water baptism by immersion is taught at New Hope as an outward sign that the old life of sin has been buried with Christ and a new life has begun through Him. Anyone who has accepted salvation through Jesus Christ is encouraged to follow His command in Matthew 28:18-19 to be baptized, and a registration form is available online for those ready to take that step.
Becoming a member of New Hope also begins with a simple online form. After submission, a representative from the Membership Ministry reaches out to welcome the new member and answer any questions. The membership team can also be reached at membership@newhopetampa.org or 813-438-6573.
Rides, Grief Care, and the Culinary Table
For members who do not have a way to get to church, the Transportation Ministry, led by Brother Ralph Wyche and Deacon Willie Hart, provides rides to services and church-sponsored events using the church van. Requests can be made by phone at 813-236-3611 or through the online form.
The Grief (Bereavement) Ministry walks alongside families during times of loss, offering prayer, compassion, and practical assistance that reflects the love and peace of Christ. The Culinary Ministry prepares and provides meals for church events, special occasions, and those in need, offering love and fellowship through food.
Greeters, Ushers, Prayer, and Youth
Rounding out the ministry list are the Greeters Ministry, which ensures every visitor and member feels the love of Christ from the moment they arrive; the Ushers Ministry, which assists with seating, the offering, and maintaining a welcoming environment during services; the Prayer Ministry, which seeks God's guidance and power through consistent intercession for the church, the community, and individual needs; and the Youth Ministry, which nurtures young people in their faith through Bible study, mentorship, and engaging activities.
Giving and Connecting
New Hope offers several ways for members and friends to support the work of the church. Online giving is available through the Shelby Next Giving App for iOS and Android, by text at 813-850-0586, or through the online giving portal. Members can also give by mail. The church office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 3005 E. Ellicott Street, Tampa, FL 33610.