A Family-Friendly Church in Newark's South Ward
On a residential block in Newark's Lower Clinton Hill neighborhood, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church stands at 198 Chadwick Avenue as a place where the South Ward comes to pray, learn, and break bread together. The congregation, affectionately known as "Grove Nation," gathers around a clear vision: to "Build Hearts and Minds to Follow Jesus Christ, Through Learning, Love, and Liberation." That vision shapes everything from Sunday worship to a food pantry that serves hundreds each month, and it has guided the church through nearly seven decades of growth, setback, and renewal.
All Are Welcome at Sunday Worship
Sunday is the heart of the week at Pleasant Grove. Worship is held at 11:00 a.m. on the first, third, and fifth Sundays, and at both 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays. Sunday School meets each week at 9:30 a.m. for those who want to dig into the Word before the service. Children have their own space, too: Children's Church meets in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays.
Those who cannot attend in person are invited to join the service virtually. Worship is livestreamed on the church's Facebook page, and recordings continue on the YouTube channel. A weekly prayer video is also available for the broader church family.
A Church Built Through Faith and Resilience
Pleasant Grove's story began on September 19, 1957, when a small group of Christian believers met at 162 Seymour Avenue in Newark. Those present included Reverend Eljay (Jerry) and First Lady Ethella Valentine, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dickson, Mrs. Carolyn Hillsman, Mr. Louis Blue, and Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Gilliam. After much discussion, they chose the name Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, and the first service was held on the fourth Sunday in October 1957 at 213 Court Street.
When a family crisis sent Reverend Valentine back to Cleveland in November 1957, the mantle of leadership passed to Reverend William J. Harris. Under his guidance, the congregation moved to 16th Avenue and eventually to its present home at 198 Chadwick Avenue. A devastating fire in 1974 destroyed much of the building, but the church rebuilt under Pastor Harris's care. He led Pleasant Grove until November 4, 1998, when he passed away.
Reverend O. Rodney Brooks was elected pastor on August 16, 2000. He launched a new discipleship class and founded the Young Adult Ministry, encouraging young people to claim their place as the church of today. He served until May 2004. Two years later, in August 2006, Reverend Vincent M. Rouse accepted the call to the pastorate and began the era of growth that continues today.
Bishop Rouse and the Vision of Grove Nation
Bishop Vincent M. Rouse Sr. answered the call of Jesus Christ at an early age, with his conversion taking place at the Emmanuel Church of Christ-Disciples of Christ. He was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in October 2001 and ordained in November 2002 at The New Hope Baptist Church. Since taking the helm of Pleasant Grove in August 2006, he has pursued what the church describes as an "uncompromising vision and mandate from God for God's people," building a family-friendly church in the heart of the community and ministering to the whole person through word, witness, worship, and work. He often reminds the congregation that "everybody is somebody and Jesus is everything."
Under his leadership, the church has experienced growth spiritually, numerically, and financially. New programs include the Sanctuary Choir, the reorganized Male Chorus, the Golden Age Ministry, the Helping Hands Ministry, the Food and Clothing Ministry, the revamped Christian Education Department, the Pleasant Grove Community Development Corporation, and the Building Fund Ministry. Property has been acquired to expand the ministry through "The House of Hope" and to add more parking.
In February 2023, Pastor Rouse was appointed Bishop-Designate by Presiding Bishop Michael Baston of the Called to the Nations Covenant Churches International. He also serves as Board Chairman of the Marion P. Thomas Charter School, the largest and oldest African American-founded charter school in New Jersey, and as a founding pastor of the Southward Interfaith Clergy Alliance. In the wider city, he works as the Director of Resident Services and Recreational Affairs at the Newark Housing Authority. He and his wife, Pastor Natasha Johnson-Rouse, are raising three children: Cameron, Vincent Jr., and Victoria.
Reverend Natasha C. Rouse
Standing alongside the pastor is Reverend Natasha C. Rouse, who received her call to preach at the age of 13. She was licensed to preach at 16 and later ordained an Itinerant Deacon in the AME Church at 21 and an Itinerant Elder at 23, the youngest in her class to receive both orders. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med/Biology from Virginia Union University and a Master of Divinity with honors in New Testament Studies and Pastoral Care and Counseling from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, and she is pursuing a Master of Arts in Education at Grand Canyon University.
Reverend Rouse teaches every fourth Monday of the month at "Mentoring Monday," an arm of At the Well Ministries, which she founded under the direction of the Holy Spirit. She also serves on the staff of Miller Street School in Newark. Known affectionately as "God's Prophetess," her favorite saying is "Only what you do for Christ will last!"
Feeding the Community on Wednesdays
Pleasant Grove partners with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to stock and run a food pantry that is open on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A community feeding follows, with hot meals served from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The food and clothing ministries are designed to help neighbors in need, and the feeding program serves hundreds of people each month. Donations to the Food or Clothing Ministry are welcomed by email.
Pleasant House of Hope Community Development Corporation
Founded in 2009, the Pleasant House of Hope Community Development Corporation (PHOHCDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that addresses the social ills of the day - homelessness, poverty, and substance abuse. The CDC works to bring business, educational, and housing opportunities to the Lower Clinton Hill community in the South Ward, with programs in neighborhood planning, affordable housing, real estate development, employment and training, education, leadership development, and community building.
The CDC's events include an Annual Back to School event, the Pleasantville Summer Camp, and an Annual Holiday Toy Distribution. In partnership with Hello Fresh, Pleasant House of Hope delivers nutritious meal staples weekly to Newark families through 17 Newark public schools. The CDC is headquartered at 208 Chadwick Avenue, the property purchased under Bishop Rouse's leadership to expand the ministry. Additional parcels of land serve as parking lots and a recreation area for the Pleasant House of Hope Summer Camp.
Children, Youth, and Christian Education
Sunday School meets at 9:30 a.m. each week, and Children's Church gathers in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Sundays. The Christian Education Department oversees designated curriculums grounded in Scripture and offers Bible Study Classes, traditional Sunday School, Youth Enrichment Classes, and courses that help members apply the Word of God to daily life.
For young people, the Dare to be Different Youth Ministry meets on the second and fourth Sundays for youth church and throughout the year for activities, trips, and discipleship. On the third Saturday of each month, youth ages 3 to 17 gather for "Powerhouse" from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The day includes workshops, arts and crafts, games, and fellowship, with transportation available for those who need it.
Midweek Bible Study and Other Weekly Rhythms
Midweek worship happens on "Super Tuesday." Bible study meets each Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and the evening study is also offered virtually on Zoom. The pattern gives working members, students, and homebound friends multiple ways to stay rooted in Scripture throughout the week. Monthly gatherings of the Golden Age Ministry, the Men's Ministry, and the Women's Ministry round out the rhythm of fellowship beyond Sunday morning.
Ministries for Every Season of Life
Pastoral care at Pleasant Grove is carried by a deep bench of lay ministries. The Deacon and Deaconess ministries prepare the elements of the Lord's Supper, visit the sick and shut-in, and keep watch over members who have been absent. The Missionary Ministry reaches bereaved, sick, and homebound members in hospitals and nursing homes with visitation, prayer, and encouragement. The Hospitality Ministry - ushers, nurses, and greeters - works to make every visitor feel welcomed and supported.
Members in their golden years (65 and up) find fellowship, light activity, and occasional trips through the Golden Age Ministry. Men come together through workshops, discussions, and fellowship that strengthen manhood from a biblical standpoint. Women gather for growth, development, and empowerment through the Women's Ministry. The Pastor's Aide cares for the pastor and his family, marking birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. The Executive Board reviews major financial, physical, and fiscal matters, while the Trustee Board oversees all financial affairs and stewardship of the church's resources. At the heart of it all, the Ministerial Staff works in harmony with the Senior Pastor on preaching, teaching, counseling, baptisms, marriages, funerals, and visits to the sick and bereaved.
Worship is led by the Sanctuary Choir, the Male Chorus, and the Praise and Worship team, which ministers in song and dance to bring the congregation into the presence of the Lord.
Giving and Getting Connected
Tithes and offerings fund the vision and activities of the church. Members and friends can give online, by Zelle to pgbctrustees1@verizon.net, by Cash App to $PGStrong, or through Givelify, credit card, check, money order, or cash. Checks and money orders should be mailed to P.O. Box 8102, Newark, NJ 07108-0102.
The church office is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and can be reached at 862-231-2306 or info@pgbcnewark.org. Pleasant Grove is active on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter as @PGBCNEWARK. Newcomers who would like to learn more about becoming part of the family are invited to fill out a Become a Member form. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church continues to grow as a family-friendly church in the heart of the community, ministering to the total person through word, witness, worship, and work.