The Founding of Emmanuel Baptist Church

  Having been a pastor in Macon County for approximately eight years (the last four years being at Central Baptist Church), in the late summer of 1975, I felt led of the Holy Spirit to resign as their pastor.  In just a short time, I was contacted by some members of that assembly to discuss the possibility of starting a new church in Macon County.

   For a few weeks we met on Sunday’s in the basement of my home for Bible study, fellowship and much prayer.  One of the men discovered a vacant building on Lake Emory Road that was used for Saturday night auctions.  The owner consented to rent the building to us for Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night services.  God tremendously blessed the services with souls saved and growing attendance for which we give Him Praise!  Feeling confident that we were in God’s will, we organized and officially constituted Emmanuel Baptist Church on January 14, 1976, using Matthew 1:23 as our name verse.  We had 39 Charter Members.  

  The rented building was very cold physically, but very warm spiritually!  One Wednesday night I felt led to call the congregation to the altar to pray for some land on which we could build our own building.  On the following Friday night Bro. Gene Frizzell called me and told me God had awakened him three times and told him to give the land where the present building now stands.  With God’s blessings, we immediately started construction.  Bro. Ralph Morgan called and wanted to give a bus to be used as a church bus.  We are still giving God praise for answering prayer and giving us this great church.  

  I was blessed to be their pastor for approximately 12 years.  Only eternity will reveal the number of lives that have been touched and changed by the ministry of Emmanuel Baptist Church!  To God Be All Glory and Praise!!  AMEN!!

    In His Name For Souls,

    Dr. Howard Southard