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About MBC

WHO WE ARE

Our Mission

We are a gospel-centered, faith-driven, community-focused body of believers where the Word of God is not only preached, but lived out in daily life. An imperfect people with a Perfect God, we desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our church, our city, and around the world.
Gospel-Centered. Faith Driven. Community Focused.

Donnie Barnes

Senior Pastor

Our Pastor

Pastor Donnie graduated from college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies, majoring in Pastoral Ministry. He also has specialty training in both Addictions Recovery and Biblical Counseling. Having struggled personally with drug addiction in his early 20’s, Pastor has a unique outlook when it comes to ministry.

Donnie & Hannah have been married since 2008, and have served for the past 16 years in various leadership positions within the ministries of RU Recovery Schools of Discipleship & North Love Baptist Church, in Rockford, IL. They have one daughter, Lily, who God miraculously blessed them with after 10 years of infertility.

In the spring of 2022, at nearly the same time that Pastor & Hannah were praying for specific direction regarding their transition into God’s will for a Senior Pastor position, MBC began a search for their next Pastor. Through an amazing story that only God could write, He made a clear path for Pastor Donnie to become the Senior Pastor at Memorial Baptist Church.
HISTORY

OUR STORY

MBC started in 1949 as a small chapel on the corner of Memorial and Claremont Street, and quickly grew into a fully-chartered congregation. As a result of its rapid growth, the church outgrew its small chapel. Built by its members, the church was able to add on a sanctuary, kitchens, Sunday school classrooms, and office space in effort to better serve their 350+ member congregation. The new church was dedicated in 1954, under the direction of Pastor Clinton Branine. Just a few years later, a fire broke out and destroyed the entire property. After fighting the fire for hours, the only thing left standing was the front wall containing the cross.


With the same tenacity and love for God that founded MBC, its members began to rebuild. The land at 7007 Flora Rd was purchased, and the existing church was built. While many things may have transpired in the last 75 years in both our community and our church, one thing remains the same. MBC is a church that continues to love God, and love people.

Gospel-Centered. Faith Driven. Community Focused.