Church History
And the Lord said, "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!" declares the Lord Almighty. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones, in the whole land, "declared the Lord, "two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, They are my people," and they will say, "The Lord is our God" (Zechariah 13:7-9).
This is how the pilgrimage of the First Evangelistical Baptist Church began. A handful of God-fearing people and their faithful pastor, Rev. Ronnie B. Gibbs of Walnut, MS, met for the first time as a church family on Wednesday night, September 30, 1992 in the home of Sis. Alberta Rutherford (our Lydia) for prayer service. The road ahead seemed dim, for we had no place to worship. It was at Shoney's restaurant in New Albany the following Monday, that we decided, with the Lord's guidance, to establish a new Baptist church under the name of First Evangelistical.
Little did we know that we would have to live up to our name. EVANGELIST means anyone who announces the Good News. However, in Ephesians 4:11 it was a particular class of ministry that was not confined to one spot for service, but moved about in different localities.
Our journey began on October 25, 1992 at Mt. Peilier Baptist Church in Starkville, MS where the late Dr. O.C. Brand was the pastor. Many times we tell the Lord "send me, I'll go", but we really mean if it's not out of our way. During the whole month of November, we were able to rent the Ladies Building located at the Fairgrounds in New Albany, MS for worship service. There were many cold days in the building, but hot spirits in our souls.
On November 8, we were on the move to Falkner, MS to spread the Good News to the Bethlehem Baptist Church where Rev. James Howell is the pastor. The following Sunday, November 15, we were off to East St. Peter in Oxford, MS. The Lord had a way of keeping our minds and bodies busy. We did not have time to worry or feel sorry for ourselves. On November 22, the Lord led us to minister in Woodland, MS at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church where Rev. Kevin Crum was the pastor.
The end of the month was approaching fast. We could no longer rent the Ladies Building at the Fairground. Where could we go? We prayed and fasted. The Lord provided another building for us in New Albany, in which the address just happened to be 9-1-1 West Bankhead. We were very thankful for this place of worship. One reason we were so thankful was that we had central heat and air, but the greatest reason was that souls were saved and the membership increased. The month of December started off like November. We were on the road again to Woodland. This time, the Lord led us to New Hope Baptist Church where the late Rev. Melvin Gillard was the pastor. We continued traveling to various locations until the Lord put us in the path of Elder Samuel Powell. It was then that our prayers were answered. We moved to our present location on May 23, 1993.
In May 2009, we decided to change the name of the church from First Evangelistical Baptist Church to First Evangelistical Bible Church. We changed the name because we want to reach a mass of people, and we did not want to limit ourselves by being a denominational church.
Through the years God has allowed many things to take place under the leadership of Pastor Gibbs. Things that have taken place that has allowed us to beautify our sanctuary include: donation of pulpit furniture, construction of the Pastor’s pulpit by Pastor Gibbs, donation of the Pastor’s furniture in his office, installing central heat and air, laying carpet in the sanctuary, painting and padding the pews, laying the flooring in the fellowship hall, and also laying new floor covering and carpet in the Pastor’s lounge. The sound and musical equipment that has been added to our church includes: organ and leslie, a new set of drums, new sound system, keyboard and amplifier.
The ministries that have been added to FEBC are: Creative Worship Department (2002), Meals on Wheels (2003) along with our Partnership with Feed The Children, Faith Bible Institute (2005), Children’s Church School (2005), Youth Bible Study (2005). All other ministries were incorporated in the beginning of the establishment of our church.
With the help of the Lord this ministry will continue to prosper for His glory.
For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
About Our Pastor
F.E.B.C. is under the leadership of Rev. Ronnie Gibbs. Rev. Gibbs is the founder of FEBC in Ripley, MS. He preached his first sermon on the 4th Sunday in September of 1982 at the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He was later called to Pastor Mason St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Corinth, MS the first Sunday in June of 1983. He pastored there four year and was later called to the Watson Grove Baptist Church in New Albany, MS in September 1987. He pastored there for five years and later the First Evangelistical Baptist Church was formed and had their first worship service the first Sunday in November of 1992. He has been with the First Evangelistical Baptist Church up to the pressent time. This ministry has produced a selective group of great preachers and Pastors. We are so honored to say through pain and tears God birthed Pastor Jonathon Tucker, Pastor Alphonso Adkin, Pastor Tito Gibbs, Pastor Sapada Thomas, Rev. Derrick Gibbs, Rev. Xavier Knox, Rev. Uconery Cook, Rev. Walter Brenner, Rev. Hugh Davis, Rev. Eric Clark and others. I am so honored to be a labour in such blessed soil and the favor of God. Thanks to this people and their God I am who I am. May God's blessing and favor continue to protect, prosper and produce until his return.