About Us:
Cherry Grove Baptist Church is organized for the purpose of advancing and promoting the worship of God through the reading and study of the Holy Bible as the revealed word of God. We teach and preach the Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, conducting regular services of worship for the spiritual training, development and benefit of each member, and for the winning of souls to Jesus Christ.
We provide regular opportunities for public worship, sustain the ordinances, doctrines and ethics set forth in the New Testament for the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, and channel our offerings to the support of the objects of the Kingdom of God.
History:
Cherry Grove Baptist Church has a long and cherished history that needs to be reviewed from time to time. Such reflection will bring a greater appreciation for the many blessings that God has showered upon His people.
The first Baptist church was established in the Cherry Grove community south of Fair Bluff, North Carolina, in 1810, by Bethel Buffkin. There was very little, if any, organized method of worship. Rev. Tarte was the first pastor. The first building was constructed in a grove of cherry trees and was named accordingly “Cherry Grove Baptist Church”. It was a long straight building of logs, with four doors, one each for the pastor, men, women, and slaves. Bethel Buffkin also served as first superintendent. Other officers are not known. Since there were no pencils, goose quills were used for writing and ink was made of poke berries. A few years later more space was needed and a shed was built on the back of the church by Jack Strickland.
Rev. Josh Phillips the present pastor was called as interim pastor and then to the pastorate of Cherry Grove in 2003. A couple years later the pastor’s wife, Tracy Phillips, was called as the church’s first Director of Student Ministries. Many new programs have been implemented during Rev. Phillips and Tracy’s tenure such as: TeamKids, Wednesday Night at the Grove, C.A.F.E. for Women, World Changers Missions Trip, P2 Missions, Summer Youth and Children Camps, and many other support programs for adults, youth and children ministries and outreach. The former church parsonage was redesigned into an Administrative Complex with offices, conference room, kitchen, library, and guests living quarters. Also, a new building program was initiated and a Christian Family Life Center has been constructed. In September of 2012 the church completed the construction of a 325 seat new sanctuary.