Shiloh Baptist Church has shaped the spiritual life of Cumberland County, New Jersey for more than a century. The congregation's first members met in a barn on the edge of Port Norris in the early twentieth century, and what began as a small gathering under its founding shepherd has grown into a Bible-based church known across South Jersey for its two-campus worship schedule, a robust food pantry, and a wide-reaching community development corporation that addresses poverty, education, and recovery in neighborhoods throughout the region.
A Barn, a Building, and a Line of Pastors
Shiloh Baptist Church was incorporated on September 12, 1916, under its founding pastor, the Reverend Sturevant, who began the work with his first members meeting in a barn in a section of Port Norris. By 1920, with the help and generous contributions of Josiah and Daniel Newcomb, the first purpose-built worship space was erected, giving the small congregation a home of its own in the sparsely settled community.
In 1923, a Deacon Board and a Mother Board were organized, and the late Reverend O. L. Stanley, Mrs. Jamison, and Mr. Noah Collins pressed the church toward further growth. A long line of pastors followed Sturevant: Rev. Williams, Rev. Moore, Rev. Harris, Rev. Holly, Rev. J. Donaldson, Rev. S. Donaldson, and Rev. Johnson. Under Rev. J. Donaldson the original edifice was enlarged to its present size, a dining room was added, and pews and carpeting were installed. Rev. Spurgeon B. Donaldson was installed on September 16, 1955. He was supported by a strong, fully functioning Deacon Board made up of leading citizens of Commercial Township, including Dea. Thomas Smith, Sr. (Chairman), Dea. Pete Evans, Dea. Noah Collins, Dea. Hezekiah Fauntleroy, Dea. John Watson, Dea. Manford Stubbs, Dea. Thomas Jamison, and Dea. Fred Roane, all now deceased.
Rev. T. B. Whitfield of Atlantic City was installed as pastor in 1975. During his leadership a parsonage was purchased, a Deaconess Board was established, and many of the church's administrative and organizational structures were reinforced.
Dr. Dunkins and the 500-Seat Edifice
The church's present Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. James A. Dunkins, was installed in 1985. Under his leadership the congregation has grown spiritually, financially, and numerically and has become a steady presence in the South Jersey area. In 1993, through the hard work of the membership, a 500-seat edifice was erected on property the church already owned. With the new sanctuary, Shiloh expanded to three Morning Worship Services - an 8:30 a.m. Early Worship and an 11:00 a.m. Worship in Port Norris, and a 9:30 a.m. Worship in Vineland - alongside a Christian Education program offering weekly Bible Study classes for adults and age-appropriate youth, a New Members Orientation Program (Pastors New Members Class and Discipleship), a recording Mass Choir, an Usher Ministry of four committees, and a Tape and Video Ministry. From 1993 to 2005, Shiloh's Day of Deliverance television broadcast aired on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings.
One Church in Two Locations
In 1999, Shiloh Baptist Church became "One Church in Two Locations" when the congregation planted a new church at the Ramada Inn in Vineland. The Vineland work moved nine times over fourteen years before settling into a permanent home: in December 2013, the church purchased the building at 1837 NE Boulevard. Both locations remain active today.
The dual-location model doubles the space available for Children's Ministry, classroom use, and between-service fellowship, and creates more opportunities for people to serve in volunteering and leadership roles. The vision that drives the congregation is the campaign to build a Bible-based church of over 1,200 believers serving Cumberland County and beyond, with each believer developing an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ through Biblical preaching, spiritual worship, Bible study, prayer, evangelism, and the use of personal gifts in service.
Sunday Worship
Sunday is the heart of the week at Shiloh. The order at both campuses opens with Sunday School, followed by a worship service described as a sacred time where hearts converge in worship and fellowship, a spiritual refuge for weary souls. Communion is celebrated as part of the service, uniting the congregation with Christ and serving as a reminder of the sacrifice that connects the community of believers.
The Sunday schedule runs as follows:
- SBC Vineland Sunday School at 8:30 a.m.
- SBC Vineland worship service at 9:30 a.m.
- SBC Port Norris Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
- SBC Port Norris worship service at 11:30 a.m.
- SBC Online at 11:30 a.m.
The 9:30 a.m. Vineland service is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube for those who cannot attend in person. The church has also developed a Multicultural Worship Service as part of its expanding worship life, and active Mass and Men's Choirs lead the congregation in song.
Wednesday Family Bible Study Night
Wednesdays are Family Bible Study Night at Shiloh. The evening opens with a one-hour prayer time at 6 p.m. at both locations, then Bible Study begins at 7 p.m. Youth classes are offered alongside the adult classes so families can study the Word together, and parents are invited to bring their children to their own age-appropriate lessons.
Tuesday and Friday Bible Studies
On Tuesday nights at 7 p.m., a Virtual Bible Study is held on the church's Facebook page for those who are working, sick, or shut in. Senior Saints have two additional Tuesday studies. Bread From Heaven meets at 10 a.m. via conference call (dial 805-706-4767) for seniors and others who are unable to leave home. Journey through the Bible meets at 12 p.m. via Zoom (ID 2453924998, password 654769), with prayer, connection, and weekly study.
On Friday nights, Celebrate Recovery gathers at 7 p.m. via Zoom and in person in Vineland. The program walks participants through the Twelve Steps with the support of sponsors and accountability partners, helping them acknowledge powerlessness over certain struggles and trust in God's power to bring change. The Pastoral Counseling ministry of Pastor Ronald McBride supports the work of recovery and spiritual guidance.
Building New Lives, Inc.
In 2014 Shiloh launched the Beyond the Walls Community Development Corporation, now known as Building New Lives, Inc., a 501(c)(3) faith-based organization that reaches beyond the walls of the church to serve the community. Building New Lives operates under the leadership of Shiloh Baptist Church, with more than a century of community involvement behind it. Dr. James A. Dunkins serves as CEO and Mondell Matthews serves as Director.
The corporation exists to develop and implement programs that foster economic growth, affordable housing, job training, childcare, educational support, recreational services, and overall community stability in Cumberland County, where many neighborhoods are economically and socially underdeveloped and residents face the challenges of multi-generational poverty.
Food Pantry, Recovery, and Reading Programs
The Food Pantry operates at no cost at both Shiloh locations twice each month. On the third Saturday of the month, food is distributed from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 1837 NE Boulevard in Vineland. On the fourth Saturday, the pantry runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 2411 Memorial Avenue in Port Norris.
The SBC Strengthening Network works to strengthen the family unit as a whole. Trained SBC Advocates are available at both locations to help individuals and families identify their needs and develop personalized plans around financial stability, employment, health and wellness, academic excellence, service-learning, and healthy relationships.
The Rutgers Reading Program serves children ages 7 to 17 in an eight-week curriculum that integrates reading, conflict resolution, mentoring, and social action, with a goal of promoting social, cultural, and historical awareness alongside positive personal growth.
S.E.E.S. (Staffing, Employment, and Education Services) is a faith-based staffing service that connects employers in South Jersey with qualified candidates.
Code Blue Warming Centers operate throughout Cumberland County during freezing or dangerously cold weather to shelter those without housing. Building New Lives Inc. is a partner organization, helping prepare and distribute hygiene bags to vulnerable residents during Code Blue activations.
Together, the SBC Family Strengthening Network, Celebrate Recovery, Code Blue, the Food Pantry, and the Summer Youth Enrichment Program run under the Building New Lives umbrella. Strategic partnerships include Century Bank, Cornerstone Women Resource Center, Family Success Center, Rutgers Reading Program, USDA Summer Food Program, AmeriCorps, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Easterseals, and the Angel Tree Prison Fellowship Ministry.
Pastors and Leadership
Rev. Dr. James A. Dunkins, Senior Pastor and Teacher, has led Shiloh since 1985. A Bridgeton native and graduate of Bridgeton High School's Class of 1973, he holds an Associate's Degree in Social Work from Cumberland County College, a BA in Social Work from Stockton State College, a Bible certificate from Philadelphia College of Bible, a Master of Education from Philadelphia College of Bible, a Master of Educational Leadership from Philadelphia Biblical University, and a Doctor of Ministry in Missions and Contextual Leadership from Palmer Theological Seminary at Eastern University. Before retiring from the Bridgeton Board of Education in 2011, he served as Human Resource Administrator and earlier as a teacher, supervisor, and Child Study Team social worker. He also served one term as a Cumberland County Freeholder. He presently serves as President of the Bethany Baptist School of Ordination and as General Secretary of the General Baptist State Convention of New Jersey, is a Trustee on the Board of Rowan College of South Jersey, and is an Adjunct Professor at Mission Seminary in Philadelphia. He is the author of five books and a noted conference speaker on men, relationships, and missional outreach.
First Lady Marsha Dunkins is President of the Women's Ministry. A graduate of Morgan State University with a BA in Social Work and a certified school counselor from Rowan University, she has served at Shiloh in Kitchen Ministry, Sunday School, Women's Ministry, Teen Bible Study, Intercessory Prayer, and the Pastor's Cabinet. She and Pastor Dunkins have been married since September 22, 1979, and have four children and seven grandchildren.
Reverend Kato Brown, Assistant Pastor and Pastor of Education, was ordained on February 29, 2000. A Bridgeton Senior High graduate of 1980, he served in the Marine Corps, earned an Associate's in Education from Rowan University, and studied at Philadelphia College of Bible and Emmanuel Bible Institute. He is currently pursuing a degree at Regent University. He helped develop Shiloh's discipleship curriculum and established the church's Freedoms Ministry, now known as Celebrate Recovery.
Pastor Gary Mack Sr. is the Associate Pastor, overseeing the Ministers and Ministers in Training Ministry, the Ushers and Greeters Ministry, and assisting at the Vineland campus. Ordained in 2009, he previously served as Youth Pastor and Chairman of the Deacon Board.
Youth Pastor Timeka Lively leads the Youth and Young Adults ministry as part of Shiloh's Youth Zone. Pastor Donald Corbin serves as Pastor of Outreach. Pastor Ronald McBride serves as Pastor of Counseling and oversees the Celebrate Recovery ministry. Pastor Anthony Morrow serves as Pastor of the Sheepfold Ministry. Pastor Ronald Pender serves as Pastor of Senior Saints. Pastor James Hull, Pastor Jacqueline Mays, and Pastor Alexander Ntiamoah round out the pastoral team. Pastor Cynthia Brown serves in Congregational Care, Missionary, and Outreach Ministry.
Deacon Kenneth Smith chairs the Deacon Ministry and Deaconess Carol Davis leads the Deaconess Ministry. Deacon John Cross leads the Sound Ministry at Port Norris and Deacon Mike Allen serves as Vice President of the Sound Ministry at Vineland.
Beliefs, Affiliations, and the Bible
Shiloh Baptist Church exists for the advancement of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, advancing that kingdom through public worship, preaching the gospel, consistent Christian living, personal evangelism, missionary and benevolent endeavors, and Christian Education. The church accepts the King James Version of the Bible as an all-sufficient basis for faith and practice, uses the Hiscox Directory for the Baptist Church as a summary of principles for conduct, and adopts the Church Covenant. Government is vested in the body of its members.
Shiloh belongs to the Bethany Baptist Association, the General State Convention, and the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. The work of Building New Lives, Inc. is anchored in verses such as Proverbs 22:6 ("Train up a child in the way he should go...") and I John 3:17, calling members to put love into action for brothers and sisters in material need.
Giving and Getting Connected
Tithes and offerings may be given online through the church's giving portal, by CashApp to $Cashtag $1in2locations, through the Givelify app, or by Venmo. Pick-up can be arranged by calling the church, and a kiosk is available at either location any day of the week.
The 9:30 a.m. Vineland service is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Prayer requests may be submitted to the church's prayer team, who stand with members and newcomers in faith, healing, strength, and peace. With two campuses, a century of ministry, a community development corporation, and a wide circle of partnerships across Cumberland County, Shiloh Baptist Church continues to expand its kingdom work in the South Jersey area.