History of Gilead Baptist ChurchOn September 8, 1960, 108 people representing 29 families met in the educational building of Mikado Baptist Church for the purpose of organizing an independent Baptist church. They voted to name the church Gilead Baptist Church, which means "a hill of witness." The first service was held September 11, 1960, under the leadership of the first pastor, Jim Harwell. Pastor Harwell served until 1969. Macon Christian Academy, now known as Gilead Christian Academy, was founded under the leadership of Pastor Harwell. Pastor James Threfall served from 1970 until 1971; and in September, 1972, Pastor Emory Bowker was called to serve. Pastor Bowker served faithfully until God called him home in 1989. In 1990, Dr. Greg Huffman was called as pastor. Dr. Huffman served until accepting a pastorate in Virginia in 2004. Dr. Huffman also served for many years as the president of the Georgia Association of Christian Schools. In August, 2004, Pastor George Lord, who has served for twenty years as a missionary in Mexico, accepted the call to serve Gilead Baptist Church as their new pastor. Then, in early 2005, Pastor Lord expressed his desire to return to the mission field. In September 2005, Pastor Craig Holmes accepted the call to be our Pastor. Mr. Brian Gottschall serves as the administrator of GCA, and Mr. Nathan Bushy currently serves as youth pastor. Gilead Baptist Church has also been blessed under the ministries of interim pastors Ed Tolson, Milton Arnold, Dr. Don Davis, and Dr. Norman Pyle. Others who have served on the pastoral staff include Mr. Raymond Burrell, Mr. Alan Tanner, Mr. Jim Pitts, Mr. Edlee Mixon, and Mr. Jonathan Huffman. |
