Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church

            We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only Scriptural officers are bishops, or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in  the epistles of Timothy and Titus.

           This Church maintains affiliation and cooperation with the Southwest District Association, Dr. C. K. Yarber, Moderator, the Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arkansas, Inc., Dr. L. R. Massey, President, and the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., Dr. Julius Skruggs, President.  

            We also believe that ecumenical associations are Christian necessities, and that the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches are doing important work on behalf of the larger body of Christ.  (1 Corinthians 12:3-7)

The Roster of Pastors includes Reverends: Caesar Duffie, A.L. Kern, J.L. Crosley, R.L. Williams, P.R. Neal, John Reeves, W.C. Howell, J.B. Scott, L.E. Cannon, Z.R. Reeves, A.H. Carey, N.F. Wesson, W.H. Hillard, J.W. Williams, J.F. Hawkins, F.K. Powell, J.E. Coby, A.L. Scott, Walter White, L.B. Beard Jr., T.J. Roberson, J.H. Harris, T. J. Roberson (Returned) and presently A.L. Hunter (Twenty three pastors).

A Capsule of Lonoke’s History

In the year of 1874, in the city of Hope, Arkansas, a small band of baptized believers, under the leadership of Rev. Caesar Duffie, organized Lonoke Baptist Church. To put our existence into a historical context, Lonoke Missionary Baptist Church was founded only 11 years after slavery was abolished. Prior to that time, African Americans could not freely assemble and openly worship. Additionally, Lonoke is practically as old as the City of Hope itself. Lonoke was organized only 22 years after Hope was first settled and approximately a year before Hope’s incorporation.

The church’s first location was Ninth and Laurel Streets. In 1887, the congregation moved to 700 S. Hazel Street.  With the installation of the City of Hope’s 911 system, Lonoke’s official address became 702 S. Hazel.

Lonoke began to see the need for a new edifice in 1960 at the close of the ministry of Rev. J.E. Colby. However, it was not until the leadership of Rev. Walter White, who served from 1964 to 1971, that the present edifice was built. The work began in July of 1968 and services were held for the first time on December 8, 1968. Dedication services occurred over a five (5) day period, March 17-23, 1969.