Jesus said, “Upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18). The Mount Cilla Baptist Church (MCBC) was built on a rock in 1871. We give thanks to the almighty God, who has brought us, the church, through the past years. Our temple has been dedicated to God and it grows sweeter as the years go by.

Now let’s take time out to give the past the recognition it so fully deserves. Recognition is bestowed to Brother Bristor Lampkin and others with a vision from God to begin meeting and discussing a place to build a church. The divine power of God directed them to the late Brother James Louis Lampkin, who granted the land where MCBC still stands today in Hawkinsville, GA.

After the church was organized in 1871, the membership decided to appoint Alfred Duram as the first pastor. The first deacons were Simon Harrell and Selfran Harrell. Later the congregation called the second pastor, H.W. Way, who needed additional time in school to better prepare himself for his duties. During this time, the church chose a third pastor, H.L. Dipes, to carry on the message of God while Pastor Way attended school. Upon completion of school, Pastor H.W. Way returned to the church as the fourth pastor and carried on the works of God successfully until his sudden departure. The fifth pastor was Sam Breuntley, who served one year as pastor. The sixth pastor was A. Butler, who served successfully for nine years. The seventh pastor was E.F. Gordon and under his leadership, the church membership progressed tremendously. The eighth pastor was A.R. Telfert, who served three years. The ninth pastor was San Butler, who served one year. The tenth pastor was J.J. Chizel, who served two years. The eleventh pastor was H.C. Clay, who served seven years.

A host of believers came into the house of worship under his leadership and built the church as it is now. The twelfth pastor was Pastor While, who served three years. The thirteenth pastor was Pastor H.A. Hunter, who served three years and the church progressed steadily. The fourteenth pastor was R.H. Williams, who served five years. The fifteenth pastor was R.W. Wiggins; he served one year. The sixteenth pastor was R.W. Reynolds; during his first stay, he served thirteen years. The seventeenth pastor was T.W. Wisdon; he served two years. The eighteenth was Pastor Glover. The nineteenth pastor, J.W. Stevenson, served six years; during his tenure, a piano was donated to the church music ministry. The twentieth pastor, R.W. Reynolds, served once again for ten more years. The twenty-first pastor was J.B. Canady of Macon GA; the church purchased a second piano. In 1991, Rufus Kendrick of Grovania, GA was called as the twenty-second pastor. He served our congregation faithfully for three years until his sudden death.

In 1993, the twenty-third pastor installed was Carlton Clarington of Perry GA. He was a dynamic speaker and had degrees in “The School of Jesus Christ,” a B.A. degree (that’s Born Again), and his H.G.F. degree, which means Holy Ghost Filled. During his tenure, we put a new roof on the church, remodeled the sanctuary by replacing two screened entry points in the front into one entry point coming into the sanctuary. In addition to the facility enhancements, Wednesday Bible Study and third Sunday worship services were added for our learning and worship enhancement. We purchased an organ and drums to expand our music ministry. Later, we added an electric keyboard. We also dedicated the Pastor’s Study in honor of Pastor Clarington because of his commitment to our church and his ability to minister the Word of God in a way to transform the lives of many people throughout the community. In August 2006, Pastor Clarington became ill and Dr. Aaron Keith Green was asked to minister while he recuperated. However, Pastor Clarington decided to retire from pastoring the church, but not from sharing the Word of God. He served us faithfully for 15 years.

After Pastor Clarington’s retirement in 2008, Dr. Green of Hawkinsville, GA was installed as the twenty-fourth pastor. Under Dr. Green’s leadership, we have flourished as a church and community. We formed a junior choir, praise dance team, and added junior Bible Study classes. We purchased two passenger vans for transportation, which resulted in growing our youth department. We have seen an increase in membership, Sunday School attendance, and Bible Study attendance. In 2015, we began our radio ministry and uploaded sermons to YouTube. We have remodeled the Pastor Study with hardwood flooring, replaced the carpet and hardwood flooring in the sanctuary, updated lighting, and remodeled the bathrooms. Additionally, under Dr. Green’s leadership, we embraced and welcomed Minister Michael Walton, our very first associate pastor in January 2019. As part of our outreach ministry, we have a spot on The Light.live Sundays at 2:30 pm to share the Word. We also have created a Facebook page and website to share podcasts of prior messages.

Dr. Green has been “Teaching a Practical Word for Practical Living” and is very passionate about influencing our communities in a positive manner toward worshipping and praising our God and Savior!

Mount Cilla Baptist Church – established in Hawkinsville, GA just six years after the Civil War – bears witness to the old Negro spiritual, “Lord, You brought us from a long, long way” into this present time. And it is certain, the Lord will continue to lead us through the present and in the future as we continue to lean and depend on the Rock that is Your darling son Jesus!