History
History of the BibleWay Baptist Church
Rev. McKinley Gaither, D.D., Founder
Damone B. Jones, Sr., M.S., Senior Pastor
After three years of much prayer and deliberation, on February 12, 1952, Dr. McKinley Gaither organized a Missionary Baptist Church in his home at 625 North 48th Street in Philadelphia. This newborn church was named the “BibleWay Baptist Church” and Dr. McKinley Gaither was named the Pastor. The original members of the BibleWay Baptist Church were Pastor & Sis.McKinley Gaither, Bro. & Sis. Walter Davis, Bro. & Sis Thomas Lewis, Bro. John Browner & Sis. Linnie Gaither.
The church later moved to 4034 Westminister Avenue, where Dr. Gaither paid the first month’s rent. Worship services continued at this location until 1956, when BibleWay moved to 3931 Lancaster Avenue. In 1959, the mortgage loan papers were burned, however, BibleWay was growing so rapidly, that it became necessary to seek larger quarters.
In 1961, by the power of God, Dr. Gaither and congregation were able to purchase the property at 52nd & Kershaw Street. This property was valued in excess of $100,000.00. During these joyous years, over 200 souls were added to the church and the Sunday School enrollment began approaching 200 persons as well. The mortgage on this property was liquidated in 1968 as planned.
On the night of February 14, 1971 (Pastor Gaither’s Birthday), the BibleWay Baptist Church was destroyed by fire. Dr. Gaither and a handful of members stood by helplessly as the church burned. Dr. Gaither stood like a soldier in an army and continued to trust God and think positive. He was far from being defeated and was quoted as having said, “We must have hit the devil too hard!”
While utilizing the Thomas Street edifice (now Little Rock Tabernacle), Dr. Gaither and the church offices worked diligently towards rebuilding the church. With much prayer and faith, there was a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new edifice on Sunday, November 7, 1971.
The sun was shining brightly on Sunday, June 24, 1973 as if God Himself was smiling upon Bible Way. On that long awaited morning, the congregation led by Pastor Gaither marched to the new edifice erected on the old Kershaw Street site singing “We’ve Come This Far By Faith.”
God continued to bless the ministry of the Bible Way Baptist Church and on Tuesday, June 25, 1985, the final payment was made to First Pennsylvania Bank, liquidating our mortgage three years ahead of schedule.
The 1990’s brought transition to Bible Way. It was during these years that Pastor Gaither decided to retire from the Pastorate. After having founded this wonderful local church and serving as her first pastor for forty-two years, a “Victory Celebration” was held on December 4, 1993. We were not only honoring Dr. Gaither’s lifetime of faithful, committed service but we were also celebrating a man who’s life modeled his obedience to serving God and the church. Dr. Gaither made the decision to pass the baton to someone who could lead Bible Way into the next century. The Lord called Dr. Gaither from labor to reward on January 6, 1996.
Prior to Dr. Gaither’s passing, Pastor Damone B. Jones, Sr., was called to be the second Pastor of the Bible Way Baptist Church in September of 1993. Installation Services were held for Pastor & Mrs. Jones on Sunday, January 31, 1994. Pastor Jones’ theme was: “The Runners Change But The Race Remains the Same!”
We praise God for sending Pastor Jones to lead us. Pastor Jones is a man of God who has proven faithful and is a great organizer. In a short amount of time, Pastor Jones has mastered the art of pastoring. This coming May 2009, Pastor & Sis. Jones will celebrate fifteen years of service to the Bible Way Baptist Church. In his first year, 235 souls were added and virtually every year thereafter, no less than 200 souls were added. Over forty-one ministries operate from the Bible Way Baptist Church, Outreach Kitchen, Bible Institute, Computer Ministry, Prison Ministry, Community Service Program, Health Council, Praise & Worship, Praise Dance, and Pantomime Ministries, just to name a few, all designed to meet the diverse needs of the church and community. Under Pastor Jones’ leadership, several of these ministries were birthed and a 7:30am Worship Service has been added. Pastor Jones is also very proud of his seven spiritual sons in the ministry who began pastoring their own churches during his tenure.
Sis Melissa Jones has been a major contributor to the ministry of the BibleWay Baptist Church as was her predecessor, Sis Scotia Gaither. Sis. Jones, also known as “Lady Melissa”, designed and implemented a Women’s Discipleship Ministry, organized our first Women’s Retreat, women’s Revival, and Children’s Church, and established Christian Couseling, to name a few of her Bible Way accomplishments.
Certainly, We’ve Come This Far By Faith and we march forward in faith, believing that God will continue to smile on us as he has so done in the past!