THE HISTORY OF MERCY SEAT BAPTIST CHURCH
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Mercy Seat Baptist Church began with the blending of two God-given visions: (1) Rev. James A. Brown, a graduate of Boyce Bible School, dreamed of starting a Southern Baptist Church; and (2) The Peninsula Baptist Association (P.B.A.) dreamed of starting many churches throughout the peninsula to reach the unchurched. (A long-range planning study by the association during the late 1980s had revealed that about 75% of the population on the Peninsula was not attending a church.)
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On June 5, 1990, a meeting of great significance was held at the P.B.A. building with approximately fifty (50) persons including Rev. Brown, leaders of the P.B.A., and the Virginia Baptist General Board (V.B.G.B.) in attendance. The V.B.G.B. shared their visions of the new church and through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, Briarfield and Aberdeen Roads in Hampton were chosen as the areas to concentrate efforts for our outreach and evangelism. Mercy Seat Baptist Church was chosen as the name of our church.
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We were very fortunate in having the support of several ministers and churches during our initial struggle. These included: Rev. Trinkle, Rev. Tommy Harrell, Rev. Aubrey Rosser, Rev. J. Doyle (Orcutt Baptist Church, Rev. Glen Lutz (Riverdale Baptist Church), Rev. Don Harvey (Memorial Baptist Church), and Dr. David Goodroe (Temple Baptist Church).
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Under the guidance of God and the leadership of Rev. James A. Brown, Mercy Seat embarked on its Christian mission of saving souls. Mid-week Bible studies, led by Rev. Brown, began in August of 1990 at Riverdale Baptist Church. Thanks to the kindness and support of the Pastor and Riverdale Baptist Church, many of the earlier functions were held there.
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Our first service was held on October 14, 1990, at Lindsay Middle School on Briarfield Road in Hampton with Rev. Houston preaching the initial sermon. Our second church location was a trailer at West Hampton Baptist Church on Aberdeen Road in Hampton. On November 28, 1990, the Senior Choir was organized with eight (8) dedicated members and Mr. Walston as director and pianist. Mercy Seat formally elected its first Church officer, Deacon Marvin Jenkins, who was ordained February 19, 1991, in a special service at Riverdale Baptist Church. The first Women’s Day program was held on May 10, 1991, and Reverend Mae Corbin was the speaker at West Hampton Baptist Church. On June 2, 1991, our first baptism service was held at Riverdale and our first candidate was Mr. Dwayne McCoy. In August of 1991, Rev. Fred and Betty Williams spearheaded our Vacation Bible Study for a week, with thirty-five (35) workers from Macon, Georgia assisting them. This event was called the “Big A” and activities were held in the Sweet Briar and Brittany Apartment area. To commemorate the church’s conception, our first anniversary was held June 3, 1991, at Riverdale Baptist Church with Reverend Brian Williams, Pastor.
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Of great significance in our church’s history was the organization of the Woman's Missionary Union (July 9, 1991) by Sister Viola Patterson, and the Acteen Club and Youth Choir (January 1992) by Jacqueline Brown-Battle, Patricia Shufford, and Elsie McKoy. In 1993, we also became actively involved in the Food Bank Program which has been a source of help to many people. We were able to distribute bread and staple foods for 30 to 40 families. This food was delivered using a 1977 Ford Van purchased for $700.00. On April 8, 1994, the Mercy Seat W.M.U. hosted the 92nd annual business meeting of the W.M.D. Peninsula Baptist Association. We had representatives from sixty-six (66) different Southern Baptist Churches. Catherine Gail was the director at that time. Reverend I. Charles Williams was selected as the Assistant to the Pastor and the Minister for the
Youth in 1996. We also ordained Brother Linwood Batchelor and Brother Otis Squires into the Deacon’s Ministry that same year. Reverend Williams was later ordained in a special service in June of 2000.
On October 17, 2004, Deacon John Coles, Sr. was ordained in the Deacon’s Ministry.
Our ministerial staff was expanded to include not only Reverend Williams but Reverend James and Elaine Gray, Evangelist Eleanor Jeter, Reverend John Spruill, and later in 2010 Reverend Georgette Fields joined in 2012.
Our Founding Pastor, James A. Brown was called home to be with the Lord in January 2005. The Church selected I. Charles Williams ad Interim Pastor. In 2006 Pastor Williams was selected as our Second Pastor. His installation service was held in April with the Reverend James Gray presiding.
In 2006 the W.M.U. was re-organized and in their initial meeting, they chose as their first ministry effort to provide meals to the students of Christopher Newport University. Some of their other efforts included workshops for our youth, feeding the homeless, coats for the needy, the Angel Tree Christmas drive, kits for Africa, school supply drives, and many other projects that are ongoing.
In November of 2006, the Deaconess Ministry was established with previously ordained Deaconess Gertrude McNeil, Deaconess Bennetta Pankey, Deaconess Rosa Wallace, Deaconess Vivian DeVoe, and Deaconess Virginia Fauntleroy. They were joined by newly ordained members Sister Jacqueline Brown-Battle, Sister Chelsie Williams, Sister Jerelean Coles, Sister Jannie Jenkins, and Sister Constance Massenburg. Brother Samuel Massenburg and Brother Joseph Battle were also ordained into the Deacon’s Ministry in the same special service with the Peninsula Deacon and Deaconess’ Counsel officiating. In December of 2006, Deacon Everett Myers joined the Deacon Board. In December 2007, Deacon Cecil Randall joined the Deacon Board. In January 2017, Deacon Otis Squires joined the Deacon Board.
In July 2010, Sister Carole Emanuel-Taylor was ordained into the Deaconess ministry and her husband Brother David Taylor was ordained into the Deacon’s Ministry in April 2012. In January 2015 Brother Reginald Newkirk was added to the Deacon’s Ministry and Sisters Margienette Whitfield and Adrienne Butts were selected as part of our Deaconess Ministry. Deaconess Linda Cowan, who had previously been part of the Deaconess Ministry of West End Baptist Church joined our ministry in April 2015. In 2016, Deaconess Laura Garris joined our Deaconess Ministry and in 2017 Deaconess Ruth Squires joined.
Our church has been blessed to have gone through a renovation of our kitchen, new carpet, and painting throughout the sanctuary. The upgrade of our electronic system remains to be completed.
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Mercy Seat is now part of the world-wide-web at www.mercyseathamptonva.com. as well as our broadcast ministry located right here at www.mercyseatbaptistchurchlive.com
As part of the Youth Ministry, our Praise Team Ministry was established by Sisters Jacqueline Brown-Battle and Adrienne Butts. This Ministry now includes a Mature Adult Praise Team.
In addition to the Mass Choir and the Male Chorus, our Praise Team was established to minister on the fifth Sunday. All of our Music Ministry is devoted to the praise and worship of our holy and righteous GOD.
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In response to all the signs that GOD is showing all around us, we had our First Annual Prophesy Conference in April of 2012. The speakers were Pastor Jeffery Knight, Pastor Robert Addison, and Pastor Williams.
We have continued in the direction set before us by our founding Pastor James A. Brown to reach out to those that are hungry for spiritual and physical food. We now feed 70 families with our Food Bank Ministry. The Sweetbriar Apartments outreach, Neighborhood Outreach, and other efforts to reach those who do not know or have drifted away from the Master are always ongoing.
In obedience to the Great Commission, our church continues to grow in number and spiritually with a focus on Holy Living, sound Bible Teaching, and being a witness to the goodness of our GOD.
Our church motto is found in the words written in Romans Chapter 8 verses 28 through 39. Those words are there to remind us that the love of our GOD will be with us no matter where we go or what we do.
