A History of North Main Baptist Church, Liberty, Texas – January 1987- April 2013

 

North Main began when approximately 200 people met on January 11, 1987, to decide what to do about the former Dogwood Baptist Church buildings.  The very next Sunday January 18, 1987, under the direction of Pastor Jimmie Clemmons, the church was formed with 35 charter members making a commitment to pay off  $429,000.00 of debt which came with the former church’s facilities.  Through the goodness of the Lord Jesus Christ the note was paid off and celebrated with a note burning in January of 1995. 

 

North Main has been known through the years as having a committed group of workers.  Monday nights in the first days of the church would find many in the congregation gather to build the present sanctuary.  There was a two story metal shell on location which the men renovated to become a sanctuary.  They removed the steel which was to be the second floor and sold it to pay for the materials to build the platform and walls of the sanctuary.  The men would work and ladies would fix meals for all to enjoy fellowship after work was complete.  This was a special time of being unified as a church and is still spoken of by these charter members.  There were several incidents where scaffolds fell and people who were on them were not harmed.  They knew God was watching over them.

 

North Main is also known for the ministry it has to Children and Youth.  The church has always presented one of the best Vacation Bible Schools in the area.  Many children have come to know the Lord through this ministry, Sunday School and Sunday and Wednesday night plans just for children.  Each year the children present a musical around Christmas which is well planned and done.  The youth also have camps, Sunday School and Sunday and Wednesday night activities which are planned just for them.  The youth are involved in missions as well.  In fact, the Vacation Bible School would not be possible without the hard work of our youth each summer.  Because of these ministries and outstanding nursery care North Main has many young families who call the church home.

 

North Main is also known in Liberty County as the church which will extend a hand to help.  During the Liberty flood of 1994 Red Cross officials called “the church on the hill”  to open its’ doors as a relief effort for the community.  Hospital patients were transported to North Main, members of the church cooked many meals as they extended care to the community and Red Cross set up it’s headquarters in the church.  The church was also helpful after Hurricanes Rita and Ike (even though Ike caused some damage to the church).  North Main is known as a church which has a readiness to help the community.

 

North Main is also known for comforting members of the church and community through a funeral ministry.  Families take great encouragement from the church as workers gather together and host visitation nights and funeral services with genuine love.  The community recognized this ministry most clearly when people from all over the county came to mourn the death of Bro. Jimmie.  Bro. Jimmie died August 21, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. 

 

Before Bro. Jimmie died his request to the church was that another pastor would be called before he went to heaven.  Under his leadership Bro. Dick Lintelman was called to be only the second pastor the church has known.  Bro. Dick came in April, but on May 6. 2007, a transition service was held in the morning worship time in which Bro. Jimmie passed the mantle of leadership to Bro. Dick. 

 

In December of 2007 North Main began Christmas Under The Stars which was planned by Bro. Jimmie and Bro. Dick during the summer of 2007.  Lots of lights, a hayride depicting the life of Christ, children’s musical presentation, live music, Christmas trees, bonfires, fireworks, family photos and refreshments all have the intent of presenting Jesus being born the Savior to the world.

 

North Main celebrated the 25th anniversary on January 8, 2012 with a celebration meal and testimony time.  God has richly blessed this church with people being saved and others being called to the Lord’s service.  The church has contributed over 1 million dollars to missions during these 26 years.  The prayer of North Main is that the work will continue until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ!