How It All Began...

1947 - 1977

            
                                     Original Church Building, 1947

In 1947, the first United States plane flew at supersonic speeds.  Tubeless tires were invented and President Trumen announced a $4.7 billion budget surplus.  the average income was $2,845, a loaf of bread was $.13., and a new car could be purchased for $1,290.  A gallon of gas was $.15 and the price of a new home averaged $6,650.  In sports, the New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series.

It was a hot August night, outside under an old tent, sitting in a folding chair, dressed in the finest clothes one had.  It was the night that gave birth to Good News Baptist Church.  The Church officially organized on Friday night, August 15th after the tent service, two miles outside of Madison.  The first pastor, Rev. Odell Hall was voted in during the meeting.  There were ninetten charter members.  The charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Ramsey, Mrs. Mozelle Joyce, Edward Joyce, Mrs. Irma Morton, Gracie Brown, Mr. & Mrs. Dave Gatewood, Mrs. Lewis Gibson, Majorie Briggs, Mrs. Robert Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Will Clark, Mrs. Howard Joyce, J.T. Duggins, Mrs. Alice Cardwell, Mrs. Paul Carter, Katie Carter, and Mrs. Ben Carter.

Within two months the church had collected enough money to buy some land.  In less than a year, church services were held in a newly constructed sanctuary.

The first bus was purchased in 1949.  The church services were broadcast live over local radio station, WMYN.  In 1950, sunday School and Worship services were moved from Sunday afternoons to mornings.  the church also voted to borrow $750 to build a parsonage.

During the 50's and 60's several pastors served in different capacities:  Rev. Billy Knoy, Rev. Cecil Wright, Rev. Lincoln Donovant, Rev. Roy Wilson, and Rev. Ed Miller.  Rev. Cecil Wright had the longest service record of about twenty-one years.

During the 70's, the first church member was licensed and ordained into the ministry, Rev. Curtis Scotton.  He serves as a minister today in Eden, NC.


1978 - 2006

         
                            To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Hath Done!

 In the late seventies, the church borrowed $80,000 to add to the building fund in order to begin construction on a new church building.   In July 1978, an additional $30,000 was borrowed to complete the bulding.   A dedication service was held in the new church sanctuary in November 1978.  The old building began a new life as what we now call the Fellowship Hall.

In the 80's, the church purchased a piano.  Some of the men in the church remodeled the Fellowship Hall, portioning off a kitchen and two bathrooms.

In 1984, the church voted to send Rev. and Mrs. Wright to the Holy Land.  Later that same year, we took on missionary support of the Dalton Heath Family in Micronesia.

In June 1986, Rev. Wright resigned in order to go to work for Messianic Good News, Inc.  Rev. Troy Little was voted in as the new Pastor and the church voted to pay off the second mortgage on the church.

During the 90's, Good News was very quiet.  The final church loan was paid off.  A new roof and gutters were installed on the church.  Rev. Frank Patterson served a interim Pastor and became full-time Pastor in April, serving until May 1997.  Rev. Richard Whiteheart served a interim Pastor and asked the congregation to pray for 50 people in the morning service.

At the beginning of 1998, Rev. David Fulp and his family joined our congregation.  The Lord has blessed Good News with a growing congregation, paved parking, two church vans, a variety of worship services for all ages, and there are plans for a new multipurpose building in the future.

In 2006, Good News ordained Darrell Fulp as Youth Pastor.  Church members, Bro Ben Atkins and Bro Gabriel Josey accepted the call to preach.  Rev. David Fulp's daughter, Stephanie, accepted the call to serve in the mission field.  In the Fall of 2006, the Good New Bible Institute was borne and classes began in September of that year.  Rev. David Fulp and Rev. Darrell Fulp, John Morgan and Richard Stevens serve as professors.   In 2007, Darrell Fulp accepted a call to Pastor Northside Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC.

In July of 2008, Richard Stevens accepted the call to preach the Gospel and was Licensed by Good News Baptist Church in September 2008.  In August 2009 Richard was ordained as the Assistant Pastor of the Good News Baptist Church to assist Pastor David Fulp and to head-up the Good News Bible Institute.