Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church has stood on Rex Road in Morrow, Georgia for more than a century, growing from a brush arbor gathering in rural Clayton County into a congregation of more than 1,500 members. The church is known for its spirited gospel worship, its deep roots in the National Baptist Convention tradition, and a 25,000-square-foot Family Life Center that serves both members and the wider community. Under the leadership of Pastor Arthur L. Powell since 1986, Travelers Rest now operates more than forty ministries, including a children's choir, a couples ministry, a fitness program, and a long-running community food bank.
From Brush Arbor to Rex Road
The church's story began long before it carried the name Travelers Rest. It was first organized as Shake Rag Baptist Church under a brush arbor in Clayton County, led by the Reverend L.O. Kelly. For nearly nine years, the faithful met in a Justice of the Peace building. Among the charter members were Deacons Lee Butler, Demp Kemp, and Lee Chancey, along with Mothers Odie Douglas and Ollie Clark.
In 1925, Reverend Kelly stepped aside and recommended a young, energetic minister, the Reverend E.T. Smith, as the next pastor. Under Reverend Smith's leadership, the membership grew, and he shared a vision of a permanent home for the congregation. After much prayer, two acres were purchased on Joy Lake Road, where a wooden-frame church was built. The members chose the name Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church, and morning and evening services were added as attendance continued to climb. More deacons joined the board over the decades, including Paul Mathis, James Collier, Phil Sharpe Sr., Edward Middlebrooks, Frank Hunter, Vernon Taylor, Askew Heard, Dave Carter, Walter Yancey, Samuel Murphy Sr., Arnold Jarrell, Charlie Carter, J.T. Harper, Fred Carter, and Douglas Sharpe.
Reverend Smith pastored the church for sixty years and was named Pastor Emeritus in May 1985. He kept the faith until his passing on March 30, 1988.
Building a Home on Rex Road
In 1986, the Reverend Arthur L. Powell was called as Travelers Rest's next pastor. The church soon outgrew its earlier home, and in 1992 seven acres were purchased on Rex Road. On July 4, 1999, the congregation marched into the present edifice at 2112 Rex Road, and dedication services were held July 6 through 9, 1999.
The growth continued. In October 2007, the church broke ground for a Family Life Center, and the 25,000-square-foot facility opened on April 19, 2009. The center expanded the church's ability to host ministries, community gatherings, and outreach programs. Under Pastor Powell, the church has also grown to include twenty-eight ministers (twenty of whom he has licensed or ordained) and twenty-five ordained deacons (seventeen ordained by Pastor Powell himself).
Meet the Pastor
Pastor Powell was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and later became a native of Decatur, Georgia. He was saved in 1972, called to the Gospel Ministry in 1974, and ordained by Thankful Baptist Church in 1979. His first sermon came from Psalm 25:2, titled "Lord Let Me Not Be Ashamed." He earned degrees from Morehouse College, DeKalb College, and Carver Bible College, and in 2015 received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from American Bible University.
Pastor Powell is a past president of the Association of Christian Ministers of Clayton County, a lifetime member of the Clayton County NAACP, a past Moderator of the Hopewell Baptist Association, and a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. In 2012 he received the Heritage Legacy Award for his service to the Association of Christian Ministers of Clayton County, and in 2003 he received the Pastors Gospel Choice Award. He and his wife, Dianne, have one daughter, Adrian, and the family resides in Henry County.
Worship and Bible Study
Travelers Rest describes its worship services as "Powerful & Anointed" gatherings for spiritual growth and fellowship. Sunday School begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by Morning Worship and Children's Church at 10:00 a.m. On Wednesdays, the church offers three opportunities for spiritual formation: a Midday Bible Study at 12:00 p.m., Intercessory Prayer at 1:15 p.m., and a Night Bible Study at 7:00 p.m.
Throughout the year, the church observes several meaningful traditions. Baby Dedications are held on the fourth Sunday of March, June, September, and December. Baptisms take place on the fourth Sunday morning of every month. The Right Hand of Fellowship is given on the first Sunday of each month. Services are also livestreamed through the church's Facebook page and YouTube channel for those who cannot attend in person.
More Than Forty Ministries
The church runs more than thirty active ministries, including a Deacons Ministry, Mothers Ministry, Couples Ministry, New Member Ministry, Missionary Ministry, Nurses Guild, Music Ministry, Sound/Media Ministry, Sunday School Ministry, Transportation Ministry, Ushers Ministry, Women's Fellowship, Youth Ministry, Youth Dance Ministry, Fitness Ministry, Sports Ministry, Jr. Deacons Ministry, Laymen Ministry, Christian Education Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, Pastor's Aide Ministry, and Deacon Wives. A Children's Choir carries the name Samuel Murphy Senior Youth Choir in honor of the late Deacon Samuel Murphy Sr., who had a great love and concern for children.
The Music Ministry is led by Sis. Vanessa Lamar, the Department of Christian Education by Dr. Thomas Glanton, and the Deacons are chaired by Deacon Jimmie Hale. Reverend Lester Bentley serves as Assistant to the Pastor.
The Family Life Center and Genesis Christian Bookstore
The Arthur L. Powell Family Life Center is a hub of activity for both the congregation and the wider Morrow community. In June 2004, the church opened Genesis Christian Bookstore inside the center, offering pastoral resources, choir robes, ministry robes, Christian shirts, towels, ties, study Bibles, concordances, children's books, and hymnals. The bookstore is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Feeding the Community
Outreach has been a hallmark of Travelers Rest for decades. In October 1989, a food bank was organized through the work of Mother Emma Heard, Sister Margie James, and Deacon A.J. Mathis to serve the surrounding area. The Food Bank continues to operate on the fourth Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., open to anyone in need.
Visiting Travelers Rest
Travelers Rest Missionary Baptist Church is located at 2112 Rex Road in Morrow, Georgia. The church office can be reached at (404) 366-4165, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visitors are warmly welcomed at any of the regular services, and a livestream is available for those joining from home. Online giving is available through PayPal, Cash App, and Square.