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Pleasant Grove: A History
by Yolanda Hamilton Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is located in the heart of Bald Knob, Arkansas. With the fame of being the first and only African-American church in the city, this now mixed congregation has come a very long way with God’s help. Over the past 18 years, Reverend Larry Johnson, along with his co-laborer Sister Patricia Johnson, have served faithfully in this corner of the vineyard. Under their spiritual guidance and leadership, this church has birthed a sincere desire to “seek and save that which is lost.” With over 22 ministries in operation, this small, BIG church is truly a church without walls, striving toward true ministry. The Drug Addiction Recovery ministry is just one example of this congregation working to fulfill the “Great Commission”. Three times weekly, Christian life skill classes are taught to recovering addicts in our sister city of Searcy, Arkansas. As a result of this great ministry, many past addicts are now pastors and preachers faithfully serving God, with a passion to reach back and evangelize addicts that are still bound. Not only does the Drug ministry have a special role, but the prison and jail ministry is vital as well. Quarterly the prison ministry ministers to those men and women who are incarcerated, sharing the “power of God unto salvation.” Weekly, the jail ministry visits the local jails evangelizing and preaching the Good News. Evangelism and transportation are key components of this ministry also. With four 15 passenger vans and one 33 passenger bus, Pleasant Grove has been known by the adage, “ A going church for a coming Lord!’ Because of the dynamic transportation ministry, over 60 children, not including adults, from surrounding cities are bussed in for Bible Study weekly, fed a hot meal and taught the Word. The television ministry is also an evangelism tool that has blessed many throughout the state. Currently on two stations, twice weekly, the gospel can reach those who are in the hospitals and homebound. The few ministries mentioned above is just a snapshot into the kaleidoscope of what God is doing through Pleasant Grove. Through Pastor Johnson’s five fold vision: Lordship in Living, Persistence in Prayer, Energetic Evangelism Systematic Study of Scripture and Sharing of Substance, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is on its way to fulfilling God’s divine purpose, one step at a time.  |
