Special to The Times
New Hope Baptist Church (NHBC) will celebrate their 125th anniversary on Sunday.
The church will kick off the celebration with a play: Look Where He Brought Us From: A Black History Drama. The show begins at 5 p.m. at NHBC, on Cleburn Ave. Doors will open at 4:15 p.m. and admission is free. The event features special guests recording artists, Rosalind Crawford and Josie Short.
Look Where He Brought Us From takes the audience on a trip through time beginning with slavery and ending with present day. Attendees will learn about the contributions of many known African Americans and those who are not as famous. Set to the backdrop of gospel, spirituals, jazz, dance and African drums, attendees will leave the play grateful to God for bringing us over and grateful to many African Americans for their countless contributions.
Organizers say Look Where He Brought Us From is not your ordinary Black History drama. “We wanted to kick-off our 125th Church Anniversary with something really special”, said Francis Ford, Anniversary General Chairperson. “This is an opportunity for everyone, both young and old, to come together to learn about our history. We must know from whence we have come to be able to embrace our future.”
With numerous events planned throughout the year, New Hope will celebrate this historic milestone with a finale service in November 2017.
On November 5, 1892, New Hope Baptist Church, originated from a prayer band of dedicated Christians. The prayer band rapidly increased in attendance and later became a community Bible class. Since the inception of the church, New Hope has experienced rapid growth, physically and spiritually, and has remained a beacon of light in the community. Under the leadership of nine pastors and the current and 10th pastor of New Hope, Dr. Gregory L. Clarke, the church continues to be a church centered around caring, sharing, and spreading the Good News about Jesus.
