A Church on Chelsea Avenue Since 1978
Messiah Missionary Baptist Church stands at 2390 Chelsea Avenue in Memphis, where it has welcomed worshippers from the surrounding neighborhoods for nearly five decades. The congregation opened its doors for the first time on Sunday, December 3, 1978, under the banner of a single, confident declaration: THE GOD WE SERVE IS ENOUGH. That motto has carried the church through three pastorates and continues to shape a ministry described today by its guiding vision of LIVING THE LIFE FOR CHRIST.
Three Pastors, One Continuing Mission
The church traces its beginning to Sunday, November 26, 1978, when Rev. Lee A. Mullen gathered a determined group of worshippers inside the old brick building on Chelsea Avenue. With mops, brooms and other cleaning supplies in hand, the founding members prepared the sanctuary for their very first Sunday morning worship service a week later. The early years focused on equipping the building. A piano, organ, PA system and church van were added, and real estate was purchased at 2389 Chelsea Avenue, a duplex at 1425 and 1427 Harrison Street, and a parsonage at 1430 Harrison Street. The indoctrination of the congregation into a Baptist church was carried out by Reverends Moody, Raney, Young and Donson, with Reverend Lee A. Mullen as pastor.
Pastor Mullen led Messiah until 1997, when declining health led him to ask the members to accept Rev. Jerry J. Randolph as his successor. Randolph had already been brought in by Pastor Mullen in 1991 to assist with the ministry and, in 1995, became assistant pastor and took over the leadership of the Youth Ministry. On Sunday, April 20, 1997, Rev. Jerry Jerome Randolph was formally installed, taking up the theme Totally Committed. Under his leadership, the church installed an alarm system, fenced the property, and added an elevator to accommodate the sick, elderly and disabled. Wooden entrance doors were replaced with glass, chandeliers were installed in the sanctuary, two new air-conditioning units were purchased, and new Bibles were placed in every pew. Outreach programs such as Angel Food, Alpha 100, Mid-week Prayer Service, Summer Day Camp and Media Ministries launched during this season, and four additional parcels of property on Chelsea Avenue and Harrison Street were acquired to complete the shared vision of Pastors Mullen and Randolph. In 2009, Messiah was chosen as a filming location for scenes from the Christian motion picture The Grace Card, and Pastor Randolph, along with several members, appeared in the production.
On Sunday, January 7, 2018, the Messiah church family welcomed Rev. Jeffrey L. Harden as the third pastor. His installation ushered in what the congregation calls the next phase of ministry. During his first five years, the church ordained a new deacon, added three trustees to the church board, and welcomed several new Sunday School teachers. Additional land on Chelsea Avenue was acquired, a comprehensive security system with cameras and wireless communication devices was installed, a new sign was placed in front of the church, and the music ministry was upgraded with a new keyboard, mixer board and PA system. Online giving through Givelify, CashApp and PayPal was introduced, and worship services began streaming on Zoom, YouTube and Facebook. Leadership training sessions helped members learn the difference between mere church membership and Kingdom citizenship.
Pastor Jeffrey L. Harden and First Lady Teresa Harden
Pastor Harden describes his ministry as one shaped by the unity of a church family that displays its love for God, for one another, for the community and for the first family. He and his wife, First Lady Teresa Harden, serve alongside their children, Jared and Maia. The Hardens lead a congregation whose work is anchored in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Pastor Harden often reminds the church that "the night cometh, when no man can work" (John 9:4), and encourages members to remain equipped for ministry as described in Ephesians 4:11-12. The congregation is also reminded of the unity described in Psalm 133:1: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
What Messiah Believes
The church's statement of faith rests on a small set of historic Baptist convictions. Members affirm believers' baptism as the doorway into a truly regenerated, born-again membership, with baptism following the personal profession of faith. The Holy Bible is held to be the only rule of faith and practice for both the church and the lives of believers. Messiah practices congregational self-governance, holding that every Baptist church has the right to govern its own affairs, free from outside influence.
The two ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and both are observed on the first Sunday of each month during the morning worship service. Messiah Missionary Baptist Church of Memphis, Tennessee is a member of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Education Convention, and the Memphis District Sunday School and Baptist Training Union Congress. The congregation also supports a range of civic, social, educational and religious causes aimed at enhancing and liberating the lives of oppressed people.
Worship, Sunday School, and Wednesday Bible Study
Messiah Missionary Baptist Church offers three weekly gatherings centered on the Word. Sunday School begins at 9:10 a.m. with classes for all ages, designed to give moral and spiritual insight to practical living. The morning worship service begins at 10:20 a.m., opening with a time of praise and worship before Pastor Harden brings a message from Scripture. Services are streamed on Facebook, YouTube and Zoom, allowing members and friends near and far to take part.
Wednesday night Bible study begins at 6:30 p.m. and provides an opportunity for in-depth study of God's word. Bible study is streamed on Facebook and Zoom and is counted among the church's community outreach programs. A weekly Study Guide Ministry supports the mid-week gathering by distributing study guides that correlate with Pastor Harden's Sunday sermons, offering an engaging way for individuals and small groups to read and reflect on Scripture between services. QR codes and a shared link make the guides easy to access and share.
Music, Youth, and the Work of the Church
Music at Messiah holds a special and edifying place in the life of the congregation. The music ministry serves three purposes: worship, training and evangelism. Anointed choirs for all ages and skilled musicians lead the congregation in song, allowing the Holy Spirit to move through instruments and voices alike. Sister Barbara Taylor oversees the music ministry.
The Youth & Young Adult Ministry, led by Sister Belinda Merriweather under the guidance of the Youth Council, offers Christian experiences, religious instruction and fellowship activities that build character and Christian leadership. Components include a youth choir and ushers, fellowship activities such as bowling, skating, movies, cooking classes, trips, sleepovers and October Fest, a drama ministry, and praise and liturgical dance.
Ushers and Greeters, under Debra Johnson, are often the first people a worshipper meets when entering the sanctuary. They extend a hearty, enthusiastic greeting and assist with seating, while also attending to the needs of the congregation throughout the service. Pastor's Aid, under Brother Ricky Horton, supports the pastor and his family, assists with hospital visitation and comforting bereaved families, supports youth in school functions, and ensures funds are raised for the personal needs of the pastor's family.
New Member Orientation, led by Deacon Michael Flippin, helps newcomers take their first steps toward meaningful involvement in the life and ministry of the church, establishing who they are as Christians, what Messiah is and does, how it is organized, and how each member can serve. The Deacons and Trustees serve as the spiritual servant-leaders of the church, overseeing its ministries so that the pastor can focus on prayer, study, preaching, teaching, counseling, visitation and casting vision.
Sunday School, overseen by Deacon Carl Echols, functions as the teaching arm of the fellowship. The annual Vacation Bible School is held under its umbrella each summer, with a special emphasis on fellowship and evangelism for the youth, adults and wider community. Children are nurtured and discipled for Jesus Christ as part of this ongoing work.
Serving God and the Community
Outreach sits at the heart of Messiah's identity. The church's original mission, to serve all of the people, all of the time, is carried forward today through programs that began under Pastor Randolph and continue under Pastor Harden. Outreach Ministry events are held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of every other month, opening the building to neighbors for fellowship and service. The church also runs Angel Food and Alpha 100 ministries, sponsors an annual health fair, and operates a Summer Day Camp. The church's online presence is viewed daily by people from 28 different countries, reflecting a far-reaching ministry that begins at the corner of Chelsea Avenue.
Giving and Staying Connected
Giving to Messiah can be done in several ways. Members and friends may give online through PayPal or credit card, Tithe.ly, or Givelify. Checks and money orders may be mailed to Messiah M. B. Church, 2390 Chelsea Ave., Memphis, TN 38108. Those wishing to set up automatic bank payments or discuss other forms of giving can contact the church at messiahmbc@gmail.com. The church can be reached by phone at (901) 452-3855 and maintains an active presence on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. New Christians seeking next steps can fill out a New Christian Contact Form during office hours on Mondays from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., and anyone with questions or prayer requests can contact the church.