An East Texas Congregation With Roots in the 1860s
New Harmony Baptist Church sits on FM 724 in the rolling country northwest of Tyler, Texas, where it has been a presence in the community for more than a century and a half. The church describes itself as a multi-generational, Christ-centered community of believers that cares for families through ministry and missions. Members come from every stage of life, from infants in the nursery to adults in their nineties, and the congregation is proud to be a place where multiple generations worship, study, and serve side by side.
A History Spanning Five Buildings
The story of New Harmony began on April 16, 1867, when eighteen adults and one child gathered after the Civil War to organize a new church. They had been part of a small congregation in the Dean community near Dixie that had disbanded, and they wanted a place of worship for their families. They first named the church Harmony, only to learn that another church in the Cherokee Baptist Association already held that name. Their second choice - New Harmony - became final when the Association accepted the petition and the church took its place among East Texas Baptists.
The first meeting house was built on what later became the New Harmony Cemetery. A second house followed across the road, and natural springs behind it provided baptismal waters for decades. On December 21, 1907, the church moved into its third building on the current property. A storm damaged that structure in 1915, and a fourth church building was raised at a total cost of just $330.35. The fifth building came in 1949, and since then seven major additions have been completed, including the present sanctuary built in 1993. The old sanctuary is still in use today for Sunday School and the church library. Through every chapter - the world wars, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, and Iraq - the church has kept a praying posture, and its members today still anchor their identity in Scripture.
Worship and the Weekly Rhythm
Sunday Gatherings
Sunday mornings at New Harmony begin with Sunday School at 9:15. Most adult classes meet in the Family Life Center, while some gather in the main building. The morning Worship Service follows at 10:30 in the Sanctuary and features a blended music style that mixes hymns with contemporary praise songs, led by the Sanctuary Choir and the Music Minister. A second gathering at 6:00 in the evening offers more congregational singing and a sermon from God's Word.
Wednesday Family Night
Wednesday evenings at 6:15 are set aside as a Bible study hour with classes for every member of the family. Adult classes meet alongside the youth group and children's programming, and the Sanctuary Choir rehearses at 6:00 the same evening. Families often make Wednesday their second weekly anchor alongside Sunday.
Livestream
Services are broadcast live on Facebook for those unable to attend in person.
First-Time Visitors: What To Know
Parking and Entrance
Two parking lots flank the campus - one on the north side and one on the south. Visitor parking is clearly signed on the right as you enter the north lot. From there, guests can walk to the front door of the Sanctuary, where greeters welcome them and help find a seat. An alternate entrance through the Welcome Center sits just off FM 724, with greeters stationed to assist there as well.
Dress
Members dress casually - blue jeans and t-shirts are common - though suits and dresses are also seen. Visitors are encouraged to wear whatever makes them comfortable.
Children
Children are welcome to remain with parents in the service, and a nursery is available for infants and children up to age four. Children's Sunday School meets at 9:15 for kindergarten through sixth grade, and a graded children's ministry runs throughout the year, including Vacation Bible School.
Children's Ministry
The Children's Ministry exists to support parents in the spiritual training of their children and to strengthen families in Christ. Children are taught solidly biblical lessons that are both engaging and age-appropriate, from nursery through sixth grade. Children's Sunday School runs in graded classes by age and grade, beginning in the Two's class and continuing through Sixth Grade, with nursery care available for all regular Sunday and Wednesday activities.
Children's Director J.J. Thomas leads the program, drawing on more than a decade of experience as a public school teacher and years of children's ministry involvement. She and her husband, Bob, have three grown children and are joyfully expecting their first grandchild.
Student Ministry
Students meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:20 and on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:35. Youth Minister Adam Jackson, a lifelong Tyler native and veteran of the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard, leads the ministry alongside his wife Sarah and their four children. Adam's vision is to ground students in the infallible Word of God and to build a Christ-centered family among the youth, parents, and leaders.
The student ministry openly welcomes any teen who has not yet professed faith in Christ, with a goal of sharing the Gospel plainly - that God loves humanity, that Jesus lived, died, and rose again, and that believing in Him brings forgiveness and eternal life.
Adult Sunday School
New Harmony offers one of the broadest adult Sunday School programs in the area, with classes tailored to every life stage:
- Bible Boot Camp (Room 507, Family Life Center) - taught by Bob Thomas, open to anyone wanting a fresh look at Scripture.
- First Steps (Room 115, Main Building) - taught by Gary and Cindy Ferguson, a four-week course for new members exploring the beliefs, ordinances, ministries, staff, and campus of New Harmony.
- Joy Class (Room 300, Old Sanctuary) - taught by Carole Lybrand, a small ladies' class using the BMA Baptist Expositor.
- Adult Men (Room 118, Children's Education Wing) - taught by Robert Kelly, a discussion-based class focused on senior men.
- Lydia Class (Room 113, Children's Education Wing) - taught by Barbara Amy, senior ladies ages 65 and up.
- The Upper Room (Room 500) - open to all adults, a verse-by-verse discussion of Bible books.
- Searching Hearts (Room 504) - taught by Anita Short, ladies of all ages using the Lifeway Explore the Bible series.
- Thru the Bible (Room 505) - taught by Kirk Siber, for young couples and single parents, systematic Bible study.
- Sanctuary Class (Room 502) - taught by Walter Hogue, a lecture-style verse study class.
- College & Career (Room 602) - taught by Lex and Abby Richardson, for singles in college or starting careers.
- Journey Class (Room 120) - taught by Dallas Smith, for singles and couples in their twenties and thirties.
- Young Married (Room 605) - taught by Russ Jackson, for young married couples.
- Adult 3 (Room 600) - taught by Wayne Speir, for couples and singles of all ages using the BMA Baptist Expositor.
- Adult 4 (Room 605) - taught by Bryan Weaver, for adults ages 35 and up.
- Foundation (Room 607) - taught by Gary Bristow, for adults 30 and up using the Gospel Project.
Music and Worship Arts
The Sanctuary Choir leads worship every Sunday morning and presents special seasonal programs throughout the year. New singers are always welcome; the group rehearses at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Senior Adult Choir rehearses every Tuesday at 10:30 and sings in services, presents Christmas programs, and ministers in retirement and nursing home facilities. Music Minister Daren Butler leads the music ministry. He and his wife Thea moved to East Texas in 2025, after Daren served churches in Houston, Bay City, and Kingsville.
Men's, Women's, and Senior Ministries
The Men's Ministry gathers for a prayer meeting every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. in the church conference room, and for a fellowship breakfast on the first Saturday of every other month at 8:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center, complete with a Bible-based devotional.
The Women's Ministry brings together ladies of every age for Bible study, conferences, prayer, and fellowship. Active members include Carrie Arneson, Sarah Jackson, Lindsey Richardson, Kathy Hengen, Teresa Jackson, Denise Yeakley, LeeAnn Ferrell, Kim Lemmert, and Charlotte Turner. The ministry maintains its own Facebook page to keep women connected to upcoming events.
Young At Heart serves adults 55 and older with monthly potluck dinners, a Tuesday game day, destination meals, and an annual three-day Adult Vacation Bible School in the fall. The group meets for its potluck dinner at 6:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.
Missions: A Global Footprint
Missions is woven into the identity of New Harmony. The Missions Program, overseen by Coordinator Andy Slater and a supporting committee, sends monthly support to seventeen BMA missionaries serving overseas, a clinic in Mexico, a church in Iraq, nine BMA church planters (both Hispanic and Anglo), and two evangelistic ministries. The church also supports the ABS student ministry at Tyler Junior College and helps plant and support Hispanic churches in the area, including Iglesia Nueva Vida en Cristo in Tyler. Every year, members join BMMI short-term medical and evangelism teams and serve alongside BMA missionaries on short-term outreach trips. Andy and his wife Rosie, originally from England, came to New Harmony in 1996 and have given decades to missions through Mercy Ships, Hope Now, and local outreach.
Other Ministries and Practical Support
A full slate of smaller ministries serve people in every circumstance. GriefShare provides a confidential weekly seminar and discussion group for those grieving the loss of a loved one. The Prayer Chain mobilizes urgent prayer requests by email and text. Prayer Shawl ministers meet Tuesday mornings in the Parlor from 9:00 to 10:30 to knit and crochet together. Sanctuary Prayer Warriors pray during both morning worship services and revival services. Greeters welcome first-time guests at the Sanctuary and Welcome Center doors. Art With Heart meets every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in Room 116 for a relaxed painting session. Christ Union sends volunteers with construction skills to help with homes, churches, and mission projects. The church library is open Sundays and Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and the church office is happy to point newcomers toward any of these opportunities.
Leadership and Affiliation
The pastoral role is currently held by Interim Pastor Dr. Philip Attebery, who also serves as President of BMA Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. Jannabeth Kelly serves as Financial Secretary, and long-time custodian Cyndi Bazil keeps the campus ready for worship.
New Harmony is affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association of America, working alongside BMA of Texas, BMA Theological Seminary, Lifeword, Texas Baptist Home for Children, and Jacksonville College. The congregation's doctrinal roots draw from the BMA Texas Doctrinal Statement, while the church also points to the Southern Baptist Convention Basic Beliefs as a helpful summary. Members affirm the inerrancy of Scripture and the historic Baptist teachings summarized in those confessions.
Giving and Getting Connected
Giving to New Harmony is possible online through Stripe or the church's online portal, with ACH transfers available by arrangement, and by mail to 10251 FM 724, Tyler, TX 75704. Visitors who want to learn more about becoming part of the church are invited to First Steps, the four-week newcomers' class, or to step forward at the close of any service to speak with the pastor about baptism, transfer of membership from another Baptist church, transfer by statement, or rededication.