Tabitha Baptist Church stands on Northeast Grand Boulevard in Oklahoma City, a fixture of the northeast side since 1948, when a Sunday School mission that had been meeting in neighborhood homes since 1943 became an independent church. The church's motto, "Connecting Generations to God One Life at a Time!", captures the spirit that has carried the congregation through more than seven decades.
From Tabernacle Mission to Tabitha Baptist Church
In January 1943, twenty-seven children and twelve adults gathered for the first Sunday School of the Tabernacle Mission, held in homes around the neighborhood. Five years later, on September 19, 1948, ministers from New Hope Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Green Pastures, Calvary Baptist Church, and Bethlehem Star Baptist Church met with Rev. E. W. Perry and Rev. J. C. West to organize the mission into a church. After the Baptist covenant was presented and the 18 Articles of Faith were adopted, Tabitha Baptist Church opened its doors, and three members were added to the congregation that day.
A long line of pastors has served the church: Rev. Harvey Kemp (1948-1949), Rev. Paul Harris (1949-1952), Rev. W. T. Gilmore (1952-1955), Rev. J. M. Albritton (1955-1971), Rev. Eddie Baker (1971-1988), Rev. L. C. Williams (1988-1990), and Rev. L. Billingsley as Interim (1990-1991). Rev. J. L. Mitchell became pastor in 1991 and continues to lead the church today.
Pastor Jeff L. Mitchell and First Lady Rhonda Mitchell
Senior Pastor Jeff L. Mitchell is described as soft-spoken, unassuming, caring, and a servant-leader. Born December 7, 1961, he is a 1984 graduate of Langston University and has studied at Southwestern Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Before coming to Tabitha, he served three years as Assistant to the Pastor at Fairview Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor J. A. Reed, Jr. In March of 1992, he assumed the helm of Tabitha Baptist Church. His family works alongside him in ministry: his wife Rhonda, their children Kelvin, ShaRhonda, and Jerrod, and grandchildren Kori, Kameron, Kingston, Colby, and Kaliesha. Pastor Mitchell is a devoted Oklahoma Sooner Football Fan and a Dallas Cowboys fan who enjoys reading, going to the movies, and watching sports in his spare time.
Rhonda Mitchell, the First Lady, is a native of Muskogee, Oklahoma. At Tabitha she serves as counselor to the Young Adult Woman's Ministry, Co-Chairman of the Compassionate Care Ministry, and Junior Class Sunday School Teacher. She is also active in the East Zion Consolidated District Association, where she currently serves as President of the Woman's Ministry, and in the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., where she is the Western Region Youth Director of the Woman's Department.
Sunday Worship and Wednesday Bible Study
Worship at Tabitha follows a steady weekly rhythm. Sunday School begins at 8:50 a.m., and the Sunday Morning Worship Experience follows at 10:00 a.m. On Wednesday nights, Bible Study gathers at 6:30 p.m. The church is part of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc., and is connected to the East Zion Consolidated District Association.
A Statement of Faith
Tabitha Baptist Church teaches belief in one God, known as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. The church confesses the deity of Christ, his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, vicarious and atoning death, resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father, and personal return in power and glory. The church holds to the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation, justification on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ, and salvation by God's grace through faith alone. The Bible is the inspired record of God's love and the guide for salvation and life. The church believes in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the spiritual unity of believers in Jesus Christ, and the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
A Vision and a Mission
The church's vision is to build a community of called and committed believers who celebrate the presence of God through Worship, Discipleship, Stewardship, and Fellowship. Its mission, summed up in five C-words, is to Call people to faith in Jesus Christ, to Celebrate the presence of God through worship, to Connect people to caring relationships, to Commit to growth in the knowledge and love of God, and to Commission every member to serve like Christ.
Ministries Across Generations
A wide range of ministries serves the congregation and the surrounding community. Rev. Antonio Curry leads the Youth Ministry, with Donna Kelley and Brenda Curry directing the Children and Youth Ministry. Sunday School is led by Superintendent Rev. Eddie Allen, with the Christian Education Ministry under Leslie Kendrick and Rhonda Mitchell. Rev. Marcus Snell leads the Evangelism Ministry, Rev. Robert Miller leads the Senior Citizens Ministry, and Deacon Leslie Kendrick leads the Men's Ministry. Sherri Lewis oversees the Women Missionary Union Ministry, and Ann Lee leads the Deaconess Ministry.
The Deacon Ministry is chaired by Deacon Emmit Grayson, with the Trustees chaired by Deacon James Adair. Deacon Larry Nicholson and Rhonda Mitchell co-lead the Compassionate Care Ministry, and Deacon Nicholson and Beverly Glover share the Welcome and Recognition Ministry. Helen Belonga leads both the Pastor's Care Ministry and the Usher Ministry. Beverly Glover also oversees the New Members Ministry. Melvin Perry serves as Minister of Music. The Drama Ministry post is currently vacant.
Other named ministries include the Bus Ministry, Benevolent Committee, Community Liaison, Nurses Ministry, Prison Ministry, and Scholarship Committee. Kim Holman serves as Media Director.
Caring for the House of the Lord
A current initiative called the R³ Building Fund has helped the church stay ahead of facility needs. The fund focuses on Replacing, Restoring, and Repairing areas of the church. Recent improvements have included a new roof, ceiling repair and painting in the sanctuary, three new air conditioning units, siding replacement, and exterior painting of the fellowship hall. Continued needs include two more air conditioning units, a new ice machine, bathroom renovation, replacing outdated computers, and painting the remaining ceiling areas. Members are invited to participate in the fund on a quarterly basis.
Giving Options
Members and supporters can give in several ways. Online giving is available through EasyTithe, and one-time donations can be made via PayPal. Text-to-Give is also available by texting the word GIVE to (405) 444-7881. Contributions can be mailed to the church at 1219 Northeast Grand Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73117. In-person giving is welcome at the church office on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Offerings may also be left in the church mailbox on the northeast side of the building.
Online giving options are listed on the giving page.
A Place for First-Time Visitors
First-time guests can complete a First Time Guest Connection Form online, and the Welcome and Recognition Ministry will follow up. A separate membership form is available for those ready to join. For prayer requests, an online form accepts submissions, and the church points visitors to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
With a pastor who has served for more than three decades, a family ministry rooted in Scripture, and ministries reaching across generations, Tabitha Baptist Church continues to follow its calling on Northeast Grand Boulevard: connecting generations to God, one life at a time.