“Abiding Faith Baptist Church History”
“Remembering the Past-Celebrating the Present and the Future”
On October 18, 1992, at Briargate Elementary School, ninety-three (93) faith-filled children of God gathered for the purpose of establishing a new church for God’s service. These were a “chosen people” — chosen by God to climb to a higher level of praise, worship, and service. This congregation became known as the Abiding Faith Baptist Church. It is only by the resounding grace of God that Abiding Faith has become a beacon light on the corner of Fondren and Independence in Missouri City, Texas. It holds membership in the San Felipe Association of Churches in the Coastal Plains Baptist Area. This association of churches strives to equip believers of all ages to do the work of evangelism.
Pastor/Founder Bobby R. Morgan was chosen by God to lead this flock of believers and Reverend Horace Price, Sr., was selected as the Assistant Pastor. As a result of God’s favor, administrators on the campus of the Willowridge High School opened their doors of The Commons. Later the Ronald E. McNair Auditorium was opened to Abiding Faith, and we were welcomed in the spirit of love, support and encouragement.
The open charter membership period of our church, October 18, 1992 through November 15, 1992, yielded a membership of 139. Among these were first officers: Deacons Harold Simmons, Wird Brown, Jr., and the late Raymond Roberson. The Church Secretary was Pamela Simmons and Rosalind Amos was Church Clerk. We thank God that sixty-five (65) Charter Members are still serving at Abiding Faith! For support and assistance in making major decisions concerning the church’s welfare, Elders, composed of Ministers and Deacons were selected by the Pastor. Elders, along with Pastor Morgan and Assistant Pastor Price are Deacons Harold Simmons, Patrick Harper and Eugene Stewart. The Sunday School, Choir and Deacons were our first Departments/Auxiliaries.
In order for any organization to successfully grow, a purpose or purposes must be established; consequently, five (5) purposes of the Abiding Faith Baptist Church were defined: Worship — Magnifying His Name, Reach — Sharing the Gospel Message of Love, Teach — Equipping God’s People for Ministry, Grow — Developing Christians to Model His Character, and Serve — Ministering to the Needs of the Community. The Church Motto was also established: “God Can Do All Things! One Heart, One Soul – United In Christ Jesus.”
In1995, Abiding Faith was established as operating on a “faith budget” which means that we operated on faith and tithe. Currently the physical operation of our church relies strictly on our faith (sacrificial) giving and tithe. God blessed Abiding Faith to purchase land for a permanent site at 15376 Fondren Road at Independence in Missouri City, Texas.
In 1997, the Lord faithfully, and as promised, blessed Abiding Faith with a permanent house of prayer and worship. In grateful appreciation and recognition we have returned to the McNair Auditorium in celebration of our Annual Family and Friends Day.
Share Groups, led by Deacons and Deaconess, are means by which each member in our church experiences the love and support of the entire congregation. These leaders assist the Pastor in ministering to the needs of members in their specific groups. Share Groups were initiated in 1997.
June 22, 1997: God blessed Abiding Faith to enlarge its physical and spiritual territory, and the Dedication Service was held in the first edifice where Abiding Faith kingdom-builders glorified God as Promise-Keeper. Great is God’s faithfulness! As the church grew, traditional ministries and auxiliaries formed — Sunday School, Choirs, Usher Board, Women’s Missionary, Brotherhood and Youth Ministries. Continued growth prompted the need for an additional service. The first “United We Build Campaign” was held.
May 2000: We began two morning worship services — 7:30 and 10:45. Both events represent stepping stones of growth and development of our purpose-driven church.
February 2004: A second “United We Build Campaign” was initiated and the congregation boarded the “Faith Train” with pledges for sacrificial giving for the building of a larger sanctuary. We purposed in our hearts to bring the vision of our new sanctuary to reality.
September 11, 2005: We marked the site of our present sanctuary with a ground-breaking ceremony. With stakes bearing a favorite scripture, each family stood on holy ground and symbolically planted a re-commitment to God and to Abiding Faith. Hallelujah! Praise God!
September 10, 2006: We held a jubilee dedication service in our new sanctuary. Great is God’s faithfulness! As the church continued to grow, additional fruit-bearing Auxiliaries; Committees, Departments and Ministries were formed. Auxiliaries: Brotherhood, Ushers & Greeters. The Women’s Auxiliary was changed to Women of Faith. Committees include: Anniversary Committee, Care Partners Committee, Church Council, Communication, Decoration Committee, Fellowship, Finance, Food Service Committee, Historian, Newsletter Committee; Red Carpet (Marketing Sub-Ministry), and Pastoral Care Committee.
Departments include: Education — Baptist Training Union, Bible Study, Children’s Church; G.I.F.T. Academy, Music and Sunday School. The Music Department includes: Mass Choir, Women’s Choir, Male Chorus, Young Adult Choir, Youth Choir, Anointed Voices of Praise, and the Audio Visual Ministry.
Abiding Faith Ministries are comprised of: Abiding Faith Evangelistic Action Team (8 sub-ministries), Deacons and Deaconess, Drama, Expression of Love, Health & Wellness Initiative, Marriage, Marketing, Photography, Prayer, Security, Share Group Ministry, Sick & Shut-In, Singles, Sports, Tape, Transportation, University of Faith Ministry, Ushers & Greeters, Web Ministry, and Young at Heart Ministry.
2007: The publication of our newsletter “The Abounding Word” created an avenue to keep the church informed and connected.
2008: Words of wisdom from our Pastor spoken on December 30, 1992, as he extended our purpose in our efforts to reach the lost: “God has given each born again believer spiritual gifts, talents and abilities that are needed by the Church. For our church to function with maximum effectiveness, it is essential that each member uses his gifts, talents and abilities for the good of the body of Christ in our local church and the universal church as well”, and as a result, the Harvester’s Sunday School Class, a 12-week evangelism course, was initiated. This course of study prepares and equips Christians in ways that empower them to effectively work out the
Great Commission given by Jesus Christ — “go, teach, constrain” — another of our purposes.
As of September 2008, our total membership was six-hundred and ten (610). Praise God!
2009: Two new ministries were initiated: The Toynelle Bailey Scholarship Committee, and the Junior Drill Team. The Marketing Ministry was also reconstructed. Twenty-five (25) Share Groups are operational, and there are ten (10) Associate Ministers on our Ministerial Staff.
2010: Forty-seven (47) new members united with us, including eleven (11) who were baptized. Our total membership was 665. Growth in both our spiritual and physical body keeps us moving forward to a more intimate relationship with the Almighty God.
2011: under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, moving even further in realizing the “Serve” purpose, Pastor Morgan was lead to establish an additional ministry — Sick & Shut In, to assist him in nurturing, guiding and providing for the needs of the flock who are unable to (physically) worship with us. Five (5) Deacons were ordained, and one (1) honorary was designated. This year forty (40) new members were added. Eleven (11) new converts were baptized. Our total membership is 675. These 19 years have truly been orchestrated and powered by God as we grow and become more like Christ! At every stage of our grace-filled journey and our physical church development, God continues to cultivate the spiritual body as well.
2012: Listed in our purposes under Supportive Concerns is Prayer. It states that “prayer is imperative, and that each member should develop intercessory prayer and continue to call on God for revival and evangelization . . . .” With this concern in mind, a Prayer Life Sunday School Class was initiated. This class serves to teach the necessity and the power of prayer in a Christian’s life and the life of Abiding Faith! From 2002-2007 and from 2010-September 2012, approximately 12,000+ meals have been served by the A.F.E.A.T. Ministry. Members added (35), Baptized (10), Elders/Deacons (3), Associate Ministers (10), Deacons (27), Deaconess (26), Departments (8), Committees (12), Auxiliaries (3), and Ministries (22). The Sunday School began developing Sunday School Curriculum on-site with our October, November, December (4th) Quarter.
2013: “Our membership is presently 559. This year thirty-seven (37) members were added and six (6) new converts were baptized.”
2014-2015: God graciously added three (3) Men of God to His AFBC flock. Consequently, we have seven (7) Associate Ministers serving along with our Pastor and Assistant Pastor! Total membership for 2014 is 523. In 2015, we had eighteen (18) new members to unite with Abiding Faith. Ten (10) were baptized. To God be the Glory.
2016: The Lord continued to bless and add to His church. New members added were twenty-nine (29) and three (3) of these were new converts. We have worked diligently and faithfully to discharge our duties, and God has blessed us with abundant prosperity as we spread His light and His love on this corner and in our community. We have knocked on doors, shared God’s Salvation story, visited the nursing home and our Sick & Shut-in, sought opportunities to feed the hungry, and reached out with benevolence to many who were suffering hardship. As we endeavored to live up to our theme: “Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your recovery will speedily spring forth; And your righteousness will go before you; The glory of the
LORD will be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8) NASB, we pray that our service has been acceptable to Him. Total membership for 2016 is 570.
2017: Pastor Morgan was awarded for Abiding Faith’s 24 years of service to the Community by State Representative Ron Reynolds. We celebrated our First Family’s 24th Anniversary. We also worked together as a family to complete the “Marquee Project” and purchased a new LED sign. A new sound system and upgrades to the kitchen were also purchased and installed. In addition, renovations (new flooring and painting) were made to the Multi-Purpose Building (MPB). Our hearts were saddened as we said “farewell” to seven (7) members of our “family”, including Sister Bernice Martin — a Charter Member and a Church Mother. Also, from October 2016 to present, twenty-nine (29) united with our family. Six (6) of these members were baptized/new converts. Total membership to date is 592.
As with each new “church” year, the Lord reveals a “plumb line”, if you will, that guides the church body into the direction our Pastor discerns the Lord wants us to go. This year we reached for the goal “to be Pleasing in His sight” (Ephesians 5:10). This theme prompted us as a body of believers to ask God: “Is there anything in my life that doesn’t please You?” We responded to His answer with a motivation to allow Him to shape us into the disciples/leaders/Christians/saints that He purposes for us.
January 2018: Pastor Morgan’s youngest son, Robert was called to the ministry. This addition blessed our church with ten (10) men of God on our rostrum.
April 2018: In our consistent efforts to reach out into our community and embrace this very special group of God’s people, our Pastor initiated a new ministry under the AFEAT umbrella, AFBC @ First Colony (Nursing Home in Sugar Land, TX). An (assigned) minister leads a service on Sunday. In June 2018, we praised a Mighty God that our Door-to-Door efforts led to a lost soul accepting Christ!
August 2018: We celebrated a “centenarian” in the person of Sister Elma Sigee!!! Hallelujah! Our Sister Elma, mother of Patricia Stewart and mother-in-law of Elder Eugene Stewart, celebrated her 102nd birthday surrounded by both familial and church families.
September 2018: As we continue efforts to fulfill our commitment to our community, we entered into a collaboration with the Hunters Glen Elementary School as a volunteer source for their students. We also celebrated the home going of seven (8) of our dedicated members who were called home to be with the Lord: Cleveland Hawthorne, Rosalee Rose Pierre, Elray Thompson, Carmelita Evans, Everette Pickens, Earl Hall, James Madison, Jr. and Hallie Briggs. Also, from October 2017 to present, we give glory to God that nine (9) souls were united with God through baptism, and He added nineteen (19) members to our family. This brings our total to 612 active members. For 27 years of this ministry; Pastor Morgan served faithfully with First Lady Sylvia Morgan by his side. In December 2018, the Lord called her to her eternal reward. We continue to praise God for her sweet presence among us.
January-July 2019: God continued to allow us to grow spiritually and physically. Our Annual Theme for this annual year was: “Growing Deeper-Serve the Lord with Gladness”, Psalm 100:1, 2. In an effort to better realize our Theme, our Pastor introduced the “accountability’” effort; purposed to better prepare our leaders to move to the next level of spirituality and service. This year Sunday School teachers were officially recognized as leaders/officers of the Church. Because
the Holy Spirit governs our ministry, He also saw fit to send us 13 new members, with the privilege to baptize 2. Forty-seven Charter Members remain. Also, during this year we celebrated two home-goings— our “centenarian”, Sister Elma Sigee and member Dorothy Shaw.
February 2019: Abiding Faith was among 10 Black Churches spotlighted during Black History Month, by the Ft. Bend African American Historical Association at the Ft. Bend County Library.
August/September 2019: In our diligent search efforts for a way to minister to the less fortunate, the Marketing Ministry was made aware of the Fort Bend Family Promise. Fort Bend Family Promise is an organization which provides shelter, meals and comprehensive support to families without homes. It partners with religious organizations in what is called an Interfaith Hospitality Network. These churches support homeless families as they transition back to their permanent housing. Our Pastor readily embraced the idea of becoming a part of this Interfaith Hospitality Network. Marketing, represented by Earnestine Stewart and Delores Scott, along with Bobby De’Grate, met with administrators of the FBFP. From that meeting, our Pastor was inspired, and a new ministry was born: Fort Bend Family Promise @ Abiding Faith. Leaders, Deacon Alan and Vernice Shelton, readily accepted the call. The ministry continues, with the cooperation and generous participation of our Church family, to actively provide support, both nutritionally and financially, even during these times of uncertainty.
September 2019: We welcomed Boy Scout Pack 157. Kennon Blackshire is Scout Leader.
October 2019: We celebrated our 27th Anniversary. Our Theme for this year: “Determine to Reach the Next Level for the Glory of God” (Matthew 28:19, 20) NASB. So far, the year 2019-2020, has seen its fair share of major historical events—mostly stemming from the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic – both within our family and globally.
November 2019: the Church was petitioned to recommend men worthy of respect, full of wisdom committed, and Biblically qualified to act as deacons/servants of the Church. Five (5) men were selected to trial as Deacons; Kennon Blackshire, Steven Gee, Michael Goode, Johnny Hardin and Herbert Kellum.
From December 2019 through January 2020, God continued His unfailing faithfulness and we continued to trust Him and our Pastor continued to follow His direction.
February 2020 ~ Celebrated Pastor Morgan’s 27th Anniversary.
March 2020 ~ On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID 19 a global pandemic. Little did we know or even remotely expect, this declaration would change our very lives and when we realized that it had, we are still unexpecting of how it will alter our lives in much more profound and prolonged ways. Because of the highly transmittable trait of COVID 19, from person-to-person, through respiratory droplets, i.e, sneezes, coughs, or talks, physical distance of at least 6-ft was recommended by governing authorities.
On March 17, 2020, our Pastor expressed his concern for our safety and announced that we would no longer fellowship, shake hands, hug, etc., after worship. Later in the week, because of the COVID 19-rapidly evolving situation and growing numbers of illnesses and deaths, he suspended Sunday (Corporate) Worship until further notice. Streaming and social media became our mode of worship.
Beginning with our worship service, including Sunday School, Bible Study, various ministry meetings, resulting from the effects of the COVID #19 Pandemic, we entered the “virtual reality” of live streaming on March 22, 2020. In his attempt to preserve the safety of our church family, prevent further spread of the virus, and in response to regulations and recommends from governing authorities, our Pastor halted our coming together (physically) and adhered to live streaming. Zoom meetings, Conference calling, YouTube and Facebook became tools for our online platform.
Despite great challenges, our Pastor continued to remind and motivate us that God’s intent during this physical distancing, is for us to continue working out our ministry as His representatives—spreading the news of this great salvation and witnessing to His unlimited power and love! (You see evidence of this throughout this Special Anniversary Newsletter). To God be praise, honor, glory, dominion, and power!
First Worship streaming adventure! “Praise God, we made it through our Sunday Service by “uncharted” means yesterday and many of you were able to join in with us in the streaming. We certainly did miss you and our coming together the “normal” way; but we are so grateful to God that we were able to share via the Internet. We regret that some of you were unable to connect; however, we are working to determine if there is a better way for you to connect without the Facebook account. And, we will be able to see it soon on YouTube. Prayer is needed, my sisters and brothers. Please continue to pray mightily; for God is working in ways in which we have not seen Him work in this generation and He’s expecting something from us—prayer and getting closer to Him. We look forward to being back together again soon. Your Pastor and Brother-in-Christ”
On March 29, 2020, The first Sunday School lesson was facilitated on YouTube and Facebook engineered by Rebecca Hope, Superintendent.
August 2020: Abiding Faith Prayer Ministry launched our dedicated Prayer Line. Currently, the 24-hr Prayer Line is manned 4-hrs/day, 5 days a week.
This year we said farewell to 9 members: Dewey Evans; Thomas Brown; Ruby Martin, Betty Garrett, Dean Brown; Barbara Tate, Bobby Buggs, Ruby Melton; Marcelle Thomas, and an unprecedented number of family members’ families.
October 2020: Today, we celebrate God’s faithfulness to this local band of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. After 28 years, through the power of God, and enablement of the Holy Spirit, we continue to make ministry happen! How blessed we are to be a part of a Church that is committed to the Great Commission!
Celebrated 28th Anniversary in Parking Lot Worship. Message delivered by Rev. Lenton Hymes.
Our theme for 2020-2021 is: “Our Mission Continues – Separate, But Together in Christ”
“Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the Word” (Acts 8:4) NASB
November ~ Parking Lot Worship on November 1, 2020.
December ~ Held Worship from the Gazebo on December 6, 2020
From December 2020 through January 2021, we continued to worship via COVID protocol, distanced, masked and only “key” members attended in-house worship service.
February 2021 ~ On February 28, 2021, five Deacons were ordained during streaming service: Kennon Blackshire (Joyce); Herbert Kellum (Sharon), Steven Gee (Nicole); Johnny Hardin (Deborah); Michael Goode (Patricia).
March 2021 ~ Mother’s Day in the Gazebo.
COVID 19 vaccines for Fort Bend Faith Community Seniors made possible through the Church in cooperation with Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.
May 2021 ~ On May 23, 2021, the Church reopened to in-house Sunday Worship in three phases, with COVID 19 guidelines, distancing, no physical contact and masking, still in place. Phase 1: Reopening 10:30 A.M. Worship Service. Phases 11 and 111 were deferred due to a reported Delta variant in March, 2021, suspected to cause more severe illness that previous strains in unvaccinated persons.
August 2021 ~ Electricity installed in the Gazebo.
We thank God for 2 new members and 1 baptism. Total membership is 599.
October 2021 ~ Our new Church Theme for 2021-2022 is: “Navigating Through to Participate in God’s Mission”, was revealed by our Pastor.
November – December 2021 ~ We continued to move in accordance with God’s will. The members gradually responded to the reopening of our inhouse worship. However, a percentage remains distanced while participating virtually from their homes.
Our Elders have always been represented by a circle of five (5). The circle was broken in December 2021, when Elder Eugene Stewart was called to his reward for his labor. He continues to be missed.
January-2022 ~ We joyfully celebrated our Pastor’s 29th Anniversary.
February 2022 ~ The Ministry of Celebrating Each Other (CEO Ministry), was initiated. The purpose of this ministry is to establish ways and take opportunities to build each other up according to their needs.
March-April 2022 ~ A virtual Church Council meeting was held in March. This was the first meeting since March 2020. There were 40 participants.
March ~ New financial system, Shelby, was initiated.
May ~ Our first Food Distribution event was held.
During the year, 9 souls were baptized/sprinkled, and two were dedicated to the Lord.
Anniversaries call for remembering our journey of faith. We have come this far by faith and have never seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed beg for bread! For 30 years the Lord has given us sound doctrine, wisdom, power, and love. He has kept, strengthened and healed us. He has delivered, rewarded and blessed us mightily. Bless His Name! Anniversaries also call for honoring! We call to remembrance our dedicated members who were called home to be with the Lord: Elias Ezurike, Janie Bailey, Frank Johnson, Carolyn Parker, Flonnie M. Turner, and Velma Skinner.
We remain faithful to share in our Pastor’s vision and goals of expanding both our outreach efforts, and our physical presence; and as such, we continue to strive to live the creed of the five purposes of our church.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB).
Humbly submitted, delores b. scott, Historian