Messiah Temple Missionary Baptist Church sits on Halsted Street in Chicago's 60628 ZIP code, a stretch of the Far South Side that has been home to the congregation since Easter Sunday 1981. The church grew out of a small Bible study started in the dining room of its organizing pastor in 1965 and has, by its own description, come "this far by Faith." Members and visitors who walk through the doors today enter a building that seats more than a thousand, surrounded by twenty-one city lots, stained glass windows in the sanctuary, classrooms, a dining hall, and a nurse's station - a far cry from the apartment dining room where the first worshipers gathered.
From a Dining Room to a Sanctuary on Halsted
Messiah Temple traces its roots to May 20, 1965, when a small group began meeting in the home of its founding pastor, Dr. B. S. Saulsby. The body later moved to a storefront-style location at 10243 S. Wallace and then to 7219 S. Racine before processing on Easter Sunday, April 19, 1981, into the current home at 10400 S. Halsted. From the beginning the vision was holistic: a building "dedicated to serving the needs of the total man: mind, body, and soul." Members expanded the facility over the years, adding a side door in 1998 and stained glass windows throughout the sanctuary in 1999, and later installing air conditioning for comfort. Pastor Saulsby served for thirty-eight years and retired in 2003.
On Easter Sunday, April 15, 2001, the congregation added an 8 a.m. worship service to its schedule under the theme "RISE, SHINE, GIVE GOD THE GLORY!" Two years later, on July 6, 2003, the baton of pastoral leadership passed from Dr. Saulsby to Dr. Keith B. McGee I, a son of Messiah Temple who had grown up in the church. Under Dr. McGee's leadership, the church has continued a stewardship program that has funded new lighting, new roofs, a freshly paved parking lot, new windows and doors, brand-new flooring in the main lobby and other entry areas, state-of-the-art multimedia equipment, and security surveillance systems, with further improvements planned.
The Pastor and the Ministerial Staff
Dr. Keith B. McGee I is the second historic pastor of Messiah Temple Missionary Baptist Church. He holds the Doctor of Pastoral Theology (DPTh) and has been described by the church as a "progressive minister who believes in holistically serving the people of God and the community by developing them spiritually, academically, socially and economically." For nearly three decades he has been recognized as a sought-after gospel preacher, a dedicated kingdom-focused leader, and an advocate for the wider community. He and his wife, Nikki L. McGee, have three children - Elizabeth, Essence, and Keith II.
The ministerial team that supports Dr. McGee includes Rev. Bill Brown, Assistant Pastor; Rev. Robert L. McEwen Jr., Youth Pastor; Dr. Jeffery L. Treadwell, Director of Christian Education; Rev. Joseph W. Nash Sr., Assistant Director of Christian Education; and Rev. Angela Grimes, Associate Minister. Together they teach, preach, and shepherd a congregation that gathers throughout the week for worship, study, and service.
A Week Centered on the Bible
Messiah Temple describes itself as a "Bible-loving, Bible learning, and Bible living church," and the weekly schedule is built around that identity.
Sundays begin with Sunday Church School and the New Members Class at 9:30 a.m. The main Sunday Morning Service follows at 11 a.m. On the first Sunday of every month, after the morning service, the congregation observes the Lord's Supper, consecrates newborn infants, and conducts baptisms. On the second and fourth Sundays of each month, a separate Youth Worship gathering takes place at 11 a.m. in the lower level.
Tuesdays are set aside for the Voices of Messiah choir at 7 p.m.
Wednesdays carry two parallel Bible study tracks. At noon, Dr. McGee teaches the "Thru It All" Bible Study Lesson Series, working through the Bible book by book, chapter by chapter, and verse by verse. That same series continues at 7 p.m., offered in a hybrid format with both in-person and online participation. A second class, Prayer, Praise and Proclamation, also meets at 7 p.m. and is taught by Dr. Jeffery L. Treadwell and Deacon Tarrell Treadwell; it walks through whole books of the Bible in similar depth, in person and online.
The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Monday morning Bible study is mentioned in the church's welcome to visitors as another option for those wanting to study the Word during the week. Services are livestreamed online for those who cannot attend in person.
What Messiah Temple Believes
Messiah Temple's doctrinal statement lays out a thoroughly evangelical and Baptist foundation. The Bible, taught as the sixty-six books given by the Holy Spirit, is described as "the only infallible rule of faith and practice," verbally inspired in every word, inerrant in the original documents, and interpreted using the literal grammatical-historical method under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.
The church affirms one living and true God, infinite and all-knowing, existing eternally in three Persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each equally deserving worship. Jesus Christ is confessed as the virgin-born Son of God, God incarnate, who died and rose again bodily, who will return for His church at the rapture, and who will establish His millennial kingdom on earth. The Holy Spirit is described as a divine Person who regenerates, indwells, sanctifies, instructs, empowers, and seals believers.
Humanity is understood as directly created by God in His image and likeness, marred by the fall, and in need of salvation that is wholly of grace through faith in Christ. Regeneration, divine election, justification by faith, sanctification (both positional and progressive), and the eternal security of the redeemed are all taught clearly. The church is described as the one united spiritual Body of Christ, with Christ as its Head and elders (also called bishops, pastors, and pastor-teachers) and deacons as the biblically designated officers. Local church autonomy is affirmed, along with the right and duty of like-minded churches to cooperate in the spread of the gospel.
Ministries that Shape the Body
Messiah Temple runs one of the more structured ministry networks on the South Side, with more than a dozen working groups that support every facet of church life.
The Armor Bearers make sure the pastor has what he needs, especially when he is a guest at another church. The Beautifying ministry decorates the sanctuary for holidays and special events. The Benevolent ministry walks with families through the bereavement process, including homegoing services. The Brotherhood oversees the Men's Day program and helps with the annual Outdoor Fest held each August. Christian Education provides curriculum for Sunday School, Bible Study, Discipleship School, and Vacation Bible School, and also sponsors the Outdoor Fest and Walk-a-thon held every August in conjunction with Pastor McGee's birthday and anniversary. The Courtesy ministry welcomes members and visitors and provides visitor packets for follow-up.
The Deacons begin the worship service, help with the Lord's Supper, deliver communion to those unable to attend, and respond to any special needs. D.O.O.R. oversees all new members and those renewing their membership. The youth department, L.I.T. (Living In Truth), aims to build Christian character, morals, values, and behaviors in young people through creative and innovative methods. Media handles streaming for Sunday services and other events. The Mothers ministry provides guidance to women and young people. The Nurses ministry responds to medical needs and emergencies. RMM (Resource and Money Management) oversees all church finances. Security patrols the church and parking lots. The Shepherd's ministry cares for the personal needs of the pastor. SWB celebrates member and visitor birthdays on the first Sunday of each month. The Voices of Messiah choir provides music for worship and special services, and travels with the pastor when he preaches elsewhere. Ushers greet, seat, and assist members and guests throughout services and events.
Project Love: Taking the Church into the Community
Messiah Temple's outreach is organized under a vision statement called Project Love. Its goal is to "Connect with our community with care and compassion" through altruistic and holistic activities, including clothing, feeding, educating, and guiding community members to resources whenever possible. The vision is rooted in Philippians 2:4 - "Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others." The church has historically supported a radio broadcast and outreach ministries dedicated to bringing souls to Christ and encouraging the saved.
The Church Covenant and the Mission Statement
The congregation confesses a written covenant that traces back to Baptist tradition. Members commit to walk together in Christian love, advance the church in knowledge and holiness, sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrine, contribute cheerfully and regularly, maintain family and secret devotion, study the Word diligently, religiously educate their children, and watch over one another in Christian courtesy, seeking reconciliation without delay. Those who move away are encouraged to unite as soon as possible with another church where they can carry out the spirit of the covenant.
The mission is summed up in four lines: "We are Messiah Temple and we are Worshipping The Lord, Working as Laborers, Witnessing to The Lost, With The Word of Life." The purpose is captured in four "E's": Effectually solicit the support of the Savior, eagerly strive for the solidarity of the saints, earnestly seek the salvation of souls, and expectedly sow the seeds of substance.
Preaching, Teaching, and the Pastor's Pen
Sermons at Messiah Temple are typically line-by-line expositions of Scripture, walking passage by passage through books of the Bible. Recent series and individual sermons include "In His Steps" through 1 Peter 2, "Intimate Exhortations" from John 13, "Unblock My Blessings" from Deuteronomy 28, "Firm Foundations" from Luke 6, "Jesus Makes Everything Better" from Colossians 1, "You're Making Me Weak" from 2 Corinthians 12, "Are You Waiting on God" from Isaiah 40, "Get Acquainted With God" from Romans 10, and "Happily Ever After" from 1 John 2. Guest preachers such as Dr. Roosevelt C. Walker Jr., Dr. William H. Foster Jr., Dr. Benjamin E. Davis, Rev. Donnell Harrison Sr., and Rev. Kenneth T. Marshall appear regularly, including for Pastor McGee's pastoral anniversary.
Written reflections from Pastor McGee appear in the Pastor's Pen, a regular blog that deepens themes from the pulpit. Recent essays have explored being "God's workmanship" from Ephesians 2:10, living as a living sacrifice from Romans 12:1-2, making faith count from Abraham's story in Romans 4, and understanding God's unmerited favor from 1 Corinthians 15:10. Devotional content is also available through a separate devotional feed.
Becoming Part of the Church
Visitors who want to learn more about becoming part of Messiah Temple can join a New Members Class on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Those exploring faith for the first time are invited to "Connect with Christ" through a guided process of confession and commitment rooted in Romans 10:9. Online connection cards and member sign-ups are available for those wishing to engage from a distance. Giving is supported through Vanco, Givelify, Zelle, and a text-to-give number, with a teaching from Acts 20:35 - "It is more blessed to give than to receive" - anchoring the church's culture of generosity.
Visiting Messiah Temple
Worshippers are invited to "come worship with us one Sunday" or to join one of the weekly Bible studies. The 11 a.m. Sunday service is the main gathering, with Sunday Church School and the New Members Class beforehand. The Voices of Messiah choir leads music, the Deacons help open the service, and the Nursing Unit is available for medical needs. The facility offers a comfortable, air-conditioned sanctuary with stained glass, ample classroom space, a dining hall, and a large parking lot. The church is also active on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @mtmbc104, and services are streamed for those watching from home.