Our History

In November 1977, Faith Missionary Baptist church was organized under the leadership of the late Reverend Richard H. Harrison, II.  During such time, the congregation consisted of 16 members, including children. This in fact, marked the beginning of a journey that would be accompanied by the Lord’s many wondrous works.

Prior to obtaining a building site, members would gather for prayer meetings and business discussions at the home of Rev. Harrison and Sis. Mary Mallory.  Soon thereafter, Rev. Harrison and several of the church’s charter members purposed in their hearts to purchase a new building.  In the interim, a sister church extended an open invitation for the use of their sanctuary, allowing the congregation to conduct services every 2nd and 4th Sunday.  After sharing structures for approximately a year and a half, the time had come for the “little church within a church” to step out on Faith.
Through pledge commitments and diligently giving tithes and offerings, an apartment duplex was purchased at 133 SE 10th Street.  The building was $25,000.00.  Services were held in one room of the building and sometimes outside under the Oak Tree.  Due to the lack of financial assets, several members constructed the church’s furniture and baptism pool.  Realizing that all things were possible through Christ Jesus, members accepted the challenge of renovating and performing maintenance on the structure.  Through the craftsmanship of the pastor and members, by November 1978, the building had begun to look like a church.  Faith was indeed moving in the upward way.

After many years of service, Rev. Harrison became seriously ill.  Despite his poor health, he continued to serve as Pastor until his sunset in 1986.  Several other men of God led this congregation, including Reverend Marion Drye and Reverend Alphonso Harvey.
In April 1998, Reverend Kevin became Pastor of Faith Missionary Baptist Church.  Rev. Thorpe was ordained to the pastorate in May 1998 and was officially installed as pastor in October.  In the same month, articles of incorporation were filed with the state of Florida, and the congregation became officially known as the Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Gainesville, Florida, Inc.  The church began several outreach ministries, including television, which contributed to successful membership growth.  The Lord continued to pour out his blessings on Faith.

After recognizing the need for a new facility, the church body was able to purchase 25.46 acres of land located at Southeast 21st Avenue.  Preliminary drawings and a master site plan were created in September 1999, and plans for the new building were established.  Following the purchase of the property, several acres of land were made available to Habitat for Humanity for purchase.  Assured the sale would be successful, the church entertained the notion of selling its original structure in March 2000.  In October 2000, the church’s groundbreaking celebration was observed and the construction of the new edifice began in March 2001.  The building, complete with 4, 253 square feet of floor space and 196 theater seats, was finished in December 2001.  On December 16, 2001, the first morning worship service was held. God continued to grow and prosper the church and in 2010 an expansion project was completed that has taken our seating capacity to 500 seats with a new fellowship hall, offices and media center.  We developed a successful television ministry that aired 27 times each week to help us in our efforts to reach the lost!  Countless souls have been added to God’s family since 1977 and we are trust God’s faithfulness to add to His church daily.

Since April 2000, three deacons have been ordained and two deaconesses have been confirmed.  Faith Missionary Baptist Church has continued the legacy of offering enriching, life changing experiences, so much so, that many souls have been brought to Christ.  Each service continues the tradition of being fervent and spirit filled.  We are still on fire for God!

We have enjoyed many milestones:  In 2005 we enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Jasper Williams Jr., a nationally renowned minister from Atlanta, Ga.  In 2006 we enjoyed the ministry of Ms. Vickie Winans as the musical guest for our banquet.  In June of 2007 we were blessed by the dynamic ministry of Bishop Paul S. Morton Sr., presiding Bishop of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International.  In October 2007 we enjoyed the ministry gifts of, five time Grammy Award winner, Ms. Yolanda Adams and in 2008 we were blessed by the talents of David and Tamela Mann.  In 2010 we were pleased to introduce the CraigLewis band to our city with a stellar performance given during one of our morning services. In 2013 we hosted Sunday Best Winner LeAndria Johnson and I 2017 we co-hosted Rev. Dr. Joel C. Gregory and many other pulpit giants in the years that have followed.

God is still in the blessing business and we celebrate His goodness everyday.  We thank God for Faith Church, where we are constantly reminding others that “your family is bigger than you think.”