A few words
About Us
History
Church Origin and History
- 1908 - We first started our work
- 1924 - Reverend B.F. Parks appointed as pastor
- 1937 - Reverend W.A. Sparks appointed as pastor
- 1942 - Reverend R.H. Hallum assumed leadership of the church
- 1958 - Reverend I.H. Lyons, was called
- 1961 - Reverend E.J. Wilson became pastor
- 1966 - Reverend Robert C. Blackshear lead the congregation
- 1969 - Moved to 4401 South Riverside Drive
- 1970 - Pilgrim Valley Manor Apartments
- 1971 - Reverend W.G. Daniels was appointed as pastor
- 1978 - moved to the present location
- 2008 - Rev. Maverick Gayden appointed as pastor
The History of the Pilgrim Valley Missionary Baptist Church
History is a branch of knowledge dealing with the past experience of mankind. Matthew 16:18 gives the history of the establishment of the New Testament Church, when Christ said, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. Since that time, Disciples of Christ, by the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, have established churches throughout most of the word.
The history of the Pilgrim Valley Missionary Baptist Church began in 1908, when the Reverend James Hardeman organized it in a three-room house on Orr Street, also known as Garbage Row, because of the large incinerator at the intersection of Orr and Cooper Streets. The Reverend Hardeman was pastor for a very short period of time. The church experienced the leadership of several pastors from 1908 to 1924: Reverend Smith Hood, assisted by Minister G.W. Burton, Reverend J.H. Winn, and Reverend George W. Day. Under the leadership of these pastors, the church moved from Orr and Cooper Street to Eleventh Avenue, then to 1814 W. Humbolt Street. At this time, the method used in the financing of the church was Saturday Night Fish Fries and Chitterling Suppers. Reverend Day was not only the pastor, but the contractor who rebuild the church after a fire.
In 1924, the Reverend B.F. Parks of Marlin Texas became the pastor. Pastor Parks served until the Lord called him from labor to reward in September of 1936. One of the sons of Pilgrim Valley, Reverend Lewis Wright, served as interim minister until the Reverend W.A. Sparks was called as the next pastor in 1937. The church doubled in membership during his time. Reverend Sparks resigned in 1942.
In 1942, Reverend R.H. Hallum of Athens Texas assumed leadership of the church. From 1941 to 1957, the membership of Pilgrim Valley grew to about four hundred. Truly, Reverend Hallum was a pastor, a preacher, a teacher, and an assertive, firm and steadfast leader.
Signs of his work are illuminating in Pilgrim Valley today. Reverend Hallum resigned in 1957, and Reverend D. Downs served as the interim pastor until Reverend I.H. Lyons, of Dallas Texas was called. Her served as pastor until around 1961, when Reverend E.J. Wilson of Memphis Tennessee became pastor. In 1966, Reverend Robert C. Blackshear, of Orange Texas, was called to lead the congregation. Under the leadership of Reverend Blackshear, in May of 1969 at 10:30 a.m. on a beautiful Sunday morning, there was a motorcade procession from the church at W. Humbolt Street to 4401 South Riverside Drive. Reverend Blackshear served as pastor until September of 1970. The church was able to accomplish many things under his leadership. On May 28, 1970, Pilgrim Valley obtained a piece of property including 168 housing units, known as the “Pilgrim Valley Manor Apartments” located at 1707 E. Roberts Street.
In 1971, Reverend W.G. Daniels of Mt. Pleasant Texas was called to lead the membership at Pilgrim Valley. The membership grew tremendously, both in numbers and spiritually. The membership outgrew the edifice at that time. Plans were made to obtain another location. On July 9, 1978, there was another motorcade procession. This time, the motorcade left 4401 S. Riverside Drive and headed to the present location at 4800 South Riverside Drive. The church experienced many accomplishments under the leadership of Dear Reverend Daniels. After 36 years of service, Reverend Daniels retired on September 9, 2007.
In October of 2007, Minister Maverick Gayden, one of the church’s sons, became the interim pastor. On February 4, 2008, the interim label was removed, and Pastor Gayden was elected to lead the Pilgrim Valley Missionary Baptist Church. On March 19, 2008, he was installed as the pastor. Since that time, the Lord has continued to bless Pilgrim Valley beyond measure. Many new ministries have been added, and the church has grown both in numbers in in spirit, and the members truly embrace the church motto, “We Don’t Come to Church, We Come to Worship”.
Pastor Gayden is a fearless leader, who followed God’s word and led the congregation and the community through a pandemic when members were not allowed to assemble in person. His leadership erected a virtual worship platform where he continued to share the word of God with the people. As he affectionately says, “I preached to that wall for 18 months”, referring to the camera in the empty sanctuary he would preach to as the message was streamed to viewers throughout the city of Fort Worth, the state of Texas, the United States, and across the country. There were times when families in the villages of Cameroon Africa were tuned in to hear the word of God from Pastor Gayden.
The Pilgrim Valley Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history and a commitment to serving God and the people of God.
Pastor
Maverick D.
Gayden
I want to personally invite you to come and be our special guest this Sunday. If you are a visitor and are planning a visit to our great city, please feel free to worship with us during any of our scheduled worship services
Our Associate Ministers
Our Deacons
Our Board of Trustees
STATEMENT OF FAITH
The Holy Bible is the inspired Word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith. The church subscribes to the doctrinal statement of the Baptist faith as adopted by the Hassock Dictionary. We band ourselves together as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ personally committed to sharing the Good News of salvation to lost mankind. The ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that is has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error, for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. 2 Timothy 3:10-17; Revelation 22:19
ABOUT THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfection’s to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature essence or being. Genesis 1:1; Hebrew 11:3; Romans 11:36: Psalms 19:1-4; Romans 1:19-20
ABOUT THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” Genesis 1:27. “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” Genesis 2:7. He was created in a state holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his Posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage of sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. Genesis 6:5-11; 8:21
ABOUT THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death. Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, and uniting in his person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Savior. Psalms 18:2; Luke 1:69; 11 Sam. 22:51
ABOUT JUSTIFICATION
We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness which all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness, which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing. Genesis 15:6; Psalms 32:2; 71:16
ABOUT THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation but refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior and Lord. Mark 4:11; I Cor. 1:21-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
ABOUT GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is a work of God’s free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit, which we bring forth to the glory of God. Matthew 12:33-35, 43-44; I Samuel 10:9
ABOUT REPENTENCE AND FAITH
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and hellishness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior. Repentance: Genesis 6:6,7; Exodus 32:14; Deuteronomy 32:36; Faith: Rom.10:6-10; 11:20,23; 15:13
ABOUT GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual. It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy unchangeable; it excludes boasting and promotes humanity. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree. Judges 6:23; 2 Samuel 15:26
ABOUT SANCTICICATION
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness; and that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer. Leviticus 11:43-47; I Peter 1:15-16; James 3:9
ABOUT THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Colossians 1:10,22, 23; Revelation 2:7,10,11,17,25-28; Jeremiah 32:40; Mark 4:3-8
ABOUT THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sins; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connect with the establishment of the visible church. Law: Hebrew 8:4-9,11-13. Gospel: Matthew 4:23, 24:14; Mark 1:1; 4:30-33
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Giving
Remember this:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7