Manor Baptist Finds New Life After Vote to Close
Six members faced closing their Mobile church. Two years later, more than 70 worship there, with 30 baptized
TL;DR: Manor Baptist Church has grown from six members to more than 70 under Pastor Donald Turner, who credits God for its revival.
Manor Baptist Church in Mobile had voted to close. Its six remaining members had given away the church’s funds. Then they called one more pastor.
Two years later, the church has more than 70 people and has baptized 30, The Alabama Baptist reported.
Pastor Donald Turner and his family helped fund and carry out three weeks of cleanup before reopening. The first Sunday drew those six members and eight from Turner’s family.
The aging white congregation had called the Black pastor hoping to reach its changing neighborhood. Today, Black and white members worship together, and Sunday School has grown to 25.
Turner’s ministry centers on Bible preaching, midweek study and community outreach. He credits God for the growth.
“I haven’t preached a series yet. God just leads weekly to the right Bible passage. It has to be God,” Turner said.
Kevin Blackwell, Executive Director of the Mobile Baptist Network, said “Having preached there recently, I was encouraged by the genuine love, unity and mission-minded heart of the church,” Blackwell said. “Manor Baptist is intentionally engaging its community with the hope of the gospel, and we need more churches that faithfully reflect this kind of Christ-centered vision.”
From all but closed to steadily growing, at Manor Baptist the momentum continues.
