aboutnewjerusalem

Church History

    In September 1963, the Reverend J. N. Luster and 120 people met and organized a church. The church, when organized, was named Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. Ms. Marion Church gave the name. Services were held at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church on East Eighth Street and Orchard Knob Jr. High School until a final meeting place was secured. On the 4th Sunday in March 1964, Rev. J. N. Luster, members, and well-wishers formed a motorcade and drove to 2207 Ocoee St. A dedication service was held on the 2nd Sunday in June of 1964. God blessed the church abundantly and many were added to the church.At the departure of Rev Luster, Rev. J. L. Tucker was called to pastor Memorial Baptist Church and with God’s guidance, many were added, as were improvements made to the building, including the installation of a baptismal pool, which remained in the building since the installation. Upon Rev. Tucker’s departure, Memorial Missionary Baptist Church was blessed with Rev. Clay on March 5, 1975. New members were added under Rev. Clay, as were educational programs set to strengthen the church. In December 1977, due to a dream had by Rev. Clay, Memorial Missionary Baptist Church was officially changed to New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Upon Rev. Clay’s departure, Rev. Shelton, the Assistant Pastor at the time, was asked to become Pastor of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, and although his leadership was short, new members were still added during his time as Pastor.
    Through the downfalls, losses, and struggles faced by New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, God sent a messenger by the name of Rev. Thomas L. Jones, who was called to Pastor New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. At that time theChurch’s membership consisted of five women and two men: (Mother Julia Weeks, Mother Daisy Robinson, Sister Erma Jean Morris, Sister Shirley Betts, Sister Rose Dossett, Brother Ronnie Rivers and Brother James Robinson, who served but had not joined).Of those six members, the positions of secretary, treasurer, and church clerk were active as was the choir and the usher board. These members also filled any other needs the church had in order to continue to function. Pastor Jones was installed in January of 1980 and since that time, God has blessed New Jerusalem abundantly. Pastor Jones has served with and over abundance of love, humility, humbleness, righteousness, and the Spirit of God. Under Pastor Jones’s leadership, Bible study and Prayer service has been implemented.
    Pastor Jones teaches that there are things greatly needed if a church is to prosper. In him is that light that shines and bubbles over with goodness. Under Pastor Jones’s leadership, God has continued to bless New Jerusalem as many members have been added, as well as the following ministries: Deacons Ministry; Trustee Ministry; Mother Board; Pastor’s Aide Ministry; Nurses Guild Ministry; Youth Ministry; and Building Fund Ministry. In 1995, the Lord showed Pastor Jones in a dream that New Jerusalem would be blessed with a new house of worship. In Pastor’s description of the dream, he shares that the Lord allowed him to see himself preaching in a church on North Chamberlain Ave. Being led by the Spirit of God, Pastor Jones waited before making a move toward the new building. However, on Tuesday, September 26, 1995, Pastor Jones, along with Dr. Arthur Carson, Pastor of Springfield Missionary of Atlanta, Ga., prayed and claimed the church located on North Chamberlain, all in the Name of Jesus Christ.Pastor Carson is well loved by Pastor Jones and has preached our Annual Fall Revival since that time. It took one year for Real Estate Brokers Matt and James Miller of 1st Tennessee Bank, working diligently to close the sale. On August 28, 1996, East Chattanooga United Methodist Church was purchased as the new place of worship for New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Today we are praising and thanking our Lord and Saviour for His blessings and praying continually that we will continue to do His will.