ABOUT HARVEST GROVE MBC

Harvest Grove Missionary Baptist Church Church History (as of May 19, 2024)​

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The Harvest Grove Missionary Baptist Church was organized on May 20, 1972. Approximately 100 members became the Harvest Grove Baptist Church family. Our first worship service was held in the Marable Day Care Center at 4527 Germantown Pike, Dayton, OH. Some weeks before the date of May 20th, eight men consisting of Deacons Abraham Turner (deceased), Curtis Johnson, Zol Lewis (deceased), Otis Minnifield (deceased), Willie Cummings (deceased), Raymond Trammell (deceased), Hezekiah Vann (deceased), along with Brother Brice Sims (deceased) met at the home of Deacon Raymond Trammell.​

Sister Geraldine Young suggested the name Harvest Grove. This name was chosen to remind us that “the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few” (Matt 9:37).” Our charge as Christians is to do all we can to spread God’s word: “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest” (Matt 9:38).”​

On the 4th Sunday in August 1972, Pastor Henry Colvin (deceased) was called to pastor the church. Under his leadership, the church achieved many of its goals. However, in 1974, Pastor Colvin felt that he had taken the church as far as God wanted him, and it was time to move on.​

On July 21, 1974, Pastor Jimmy Terry (deceased) became pastor of Harvest Grove. Under the leadership of Pastor Terry, the church was ready to purchase a place to worship. The deacons and trustees looked everywhere to secure a building. They realized they were looking in the wrong direction, for God had already decided we would move to Highview Hills. With the money to purchase in almost any area, God chose Highview Hills.  Harvest Grove moved from Marable Day Care Center to 3323 Highview Hills Road with God's blessings. There was much to be done, for the building was incomplete. Pastor Terry and the men of the church rolled up their sleeves and started to work remodeling the church.​

The Harvest Grove families donated money for the reconstruction through their tithes and offerings; Not one dinner or ticket was sold. Pastor Terry served Harvest Grove from 1974 to 1978. He was later called to pastor in Clarksville, Tennessee.​

The official board was of utmost concern about keeping the Harvest Grove family together; however, as with any flock, some became weary and left to join other congregations, and some fell by the wayside. We are grateful to God for the members who have remained and helped make Harvest Grove the church it is today.​

On the 2nd Sunday in July 1979, Pastor Charles Strong (deceased) was called to pastor the church. Under Pastor Strong’s leadership, the church continued to grow. Pastor Strong pastored Harvest Grove until January 1982.​

Pastor Billie Boykin served from May 1, 1982 until 1984. Again, the official board of deacons continued to teach God’s word and strived to keep the people together.​

In July 1985, Reverend Ernest Graves (deceased) was called to pastor. Under Pastor Graves’ leadership, Harvest Grove purchased two lots in the back of the church and made other improvements.​

In January 1987, Deacon Hezekiah Vann (deceased) introduced the project to pay off the church mortgage in one year.  He named it “Operation Payoff.” Each member was asked to donate $100, and each official board member was asked to donate $200. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and much prayer, the mortgage was paid off on December 22, 1987.  On May 29, 1988, the Mortgage Burning service was held.​

In January 1990, the Harvest Grove pulpit was once again vacant.  Pastor Graves had led the flock as far as God would allow him.

Pastor Warren Shaw pastored the church from April 14, 1991, until 1993.​

The church again prayed for a shepherd to lead the flock. We asked God for someone who would love the people and teach us God’s word.

In May 1994, Pastor Robert J. Jackson was called to pastor Harvest Grove with 100% of votes for the first time at Harvest Grove.  Under Pastor Jackson’s leadership, we purchased 28 lots, three of which were donated for a minimal amount.  A donor chose Harvest Grove to plant a seed in this community.  Pastor Jackson came with much love for the people. He gave his time and talents, as well as his money.  He never asked the church to do anything without leading the way. He encouraged us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we build God’s church.  He set the example for us here at Harvest Grove by teaching us to love one another as God loves us all.  It had not been easy for Pastor Jackson, but he continued with his beautiful wife (Evelyn Jackson) to teach us how to love one another by teaching God’s word and his example of love toward his congregation.​

Through the donations and pledges of our members, we continued to work toward completing phase I.  Many of our members donated their time to work around the church. The children even contributed to the building project by giving $ 3,000 using their pennies on Sunday mornings.​

Deacon Frederick Coleman (deceased) and Deacon Curtis Johnson, men who love the Lord and their church, built the new addition to the church.  All the men worked very hard to make this church what God would be pleased with.  Deacon Abraham Turner (deceased) painted, and Deacon Ben Jones (deceased) made sure we had the money and didn’t overextend ourselves.​

Sister Celestine Johnson organized the youth choir.  They continued to sing God’s praise under the leadership of Sister Konia Camp.  Sister Wanda Burney introduced the youth to praise dancing in 2005.  Harvest Grove also sponsored their own Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops.  The deacons continued to work with the young men as Junior Deacons.  T-shirts were donated by Brother Jewel Bates (deceased), who was an honorary member.  His support demonstrated his love for young people for the youth.  Later, the church purchased robes for the youth.  Sister Betty Parks (deceased), the musician, continued her dedication to the church and senior choir.  We ask God’s blessing on all those who work so hard in different church organizations.​

The decorating committee raised money for a cornerstone to be placed in honor of those responsible for the new addition to the church.  The cornerstone was placed in 2006.  Deacon Curtis Johnson began working on the back entrance to the church and upkeep of the grounds.  Brother John Cobbins continued to work on the parking lot as the funds became available.  In 2014, Sister Celestine Johnson retired as church secretary after over 40 years of service.​

In the summer of 2014, Pastor Robert Jackson announced that he had led Harvest Grove as far as God saw fit, and his season had come to an end.  He encouraged the church to stay in prayer.  Pastor Jackson retired on December 31, 2014, after 20-plus years of service. Although retired, Pastor Jackson continued showing his love and dedication to the Harvest Grove family by remaining interim pastor during our pastoral search.​

On June 13, 2015, Carl A. Pace Jr was elected Pastor.  Pastor Pace assumed his position in the Harvest Grove pulpit on the first Sunday of July 2015.  Pastor Pace named the fellowship hall the “Robert J. Jackson Fellowship Hall” in honor of Pastor Jackson’s work and dedication.  After four short months, Pastor Pace felt that his leadership was ineffective and that it was time to move on.  Harvest Grove was once again without a shepherd, and with just one phone call, Pastor Jackson resumed as Interim Pastor, showing his love for God and his people. Under the continued leadership of Pastor Jackson, the church was blessed to purchase a new roof and a sign displaying worship times. The deacons were excited about adding Deacon Deonne Camp in 2015 and wasted no time putting the “young one” to work.​

On Sunday, May 14, 2017, God called Reverend Ronald Ford, a former deacon of Harvest Grove, back home, and he assumed his position as the new pastor of Harvest Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Pastor Ford, Harvest Grove has seen both spiritual and numerical growth in our Sunday school and Bible Study classes.  Our membership growth has sent more men to assist in maintaining our church grounds and property.  The fellowship hall was renovated, and many needed repairs are being done around the church. The church held an outdoor bazaar and its first Valentine's Gala, now an annual event.  Harvest Grove had its first edition of the church’s newsletter and reintroduced itself to the community with our health fair and back-to-school events, community food drive, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for those in need, Christmas party, and Easter egg hunt.  Our Praise and worship team, a men’s chorus, children’s church, and the 99+1 Men’s Worship Services were all started.  Harvest Grove continued to reach out to the community through meetings with the City Commission and the introduction of the summer lunch program for youth in the community.  We’ve held a movie night and community fitness classes.  

We continue to work towards retiring our mortgage on the new sanctuary.  Pastor Ford reminds us that there is still much work to be done, and we should let nothing separate us from the love of God.  With that scripture on our minds and hearts, we did that. May of 2019 brought tornados to the Miami Valley region.  Harvest Grove became a blessing by providing those in need with food, water, toiletries, household items, clothes, and even school uniforms.  2019 was brought to a close with our First Pastoral Christmas Dinner.  

In 2020, we started our prayer line suggested by Sister Angelia Parks and began meeting through the airways for prayer on Thursday nights.  Again, Pastor Ford continued to remind us to let nothing separate us from the love of God. In March 2020, COVID-19 struck and rapidly spread throughout the country.  On March 15, 2020, the sanctuary was closed, the doors were locked, and services were held using the prayer line.  Pastor Ford and the Deacons knew that God’s work must continue, and on Sunday, March 29, they began to livestream the message on Facebook and the prayer line with just 2 or 3 of them present in the sanctuary.  Determined that we would not let COVID-19 interfere with our worship, Harvest Grove held its first drive-up parking lot worship service on April 12, 2020, and continued as long as weather permitted.  On April 11, 2021, one year later, Pastor Ford decided that we were going back into the sanctuary. On April 16, 2020, we met and prayed over and anointed our sanctuary in preparation for returning inside.  Harvest Grove resumed inside worship services on the following Sunday, April 17, 2021.  

We give all glory to God for keeping us during a time when many church doors were closed.  Harvest Grove continues to grow under the leadership of Pastor Ford with the addition of a new media room, sound system, drums, and two new deacons, George Cole and Wendell Ford, who work diligently to keep the church and its grounds presentable.  We’ve also reupholstered the chairs in the vestibule and purchased a garage.  

On May 10, 2022, Harvest Grove made its final mortgage payment, and a mortgage-burning ceremony was held on Sunday, May 15, 2022.  At the end of 2022, Minister Valerie Betts introduced Harvest Grove to the Child Evangelism Fellowship Good News Club program in partnership with Dayton Public Schools.  In January of 2023, under the guidance of Pastor Ford, Harvest Grove entered Valerie Elementary.  Since the beginning, over 20 students have accepted Christ, and one was baptized.  From the Harvest Grove Good News Club team at Valerie Elementary, three other schools have started the Good News Club, spreading the love of Jesus to our young people.

The choir continues to grow under the direction of Sister Nicole Clemmons. The deacons continue to work diligently around the church, making repairs, running wires for cameras, and cleaning out the attic.  They also have a new deacon in training, Brother Robert Collins.  Harvest Grove encourages our youth, and Sister Nicole Clemmons continues to empower them in Children's Church. 

We have started having Tuesday night 365 Bible Study via Zoom and our Prayer Line, where we study the Bible chronologically. As we move forward, we look forward to continued love and growth under Pastor Ford's leadership, and with God first, we look to do even greater things in the Lord.​

Deacon Curtis Johnson is the only deacon remaining of the original deacons, having served this congregation for 52 years. As we press forward, we give God the praise, honor, and glory for the Holy Spirit's keeping us. To God be the glory!