Wilson Grove Baptist Church sits along Wilgrove-Mint Hill Road on the east side of Mecklenburg County, and for well over a century it has been one of the steady fixtures of life in Mint Hill, North Carolina. The congregation dates back to 1881 and celebrates its 145th Homecoming in 2026, a milestone that ties generations of local families to a single sanctuary and a single mission: to serve as a lighthouse for all people by loving, praying, caring, and spreading the truth of God's Word.
Sunday Mornings: Connect Groups and Worship
Sunday is the heartbeat of the week at WGBC. The morning opens at 9:45 AM with Sunday Morning Connect, a church-wide Bible study hour that offers a class for every age, from infants through senior adults. After Connect Groups, the focus shifts to the sanctuary for the Worship Service at 11:00 AM.
Music is a centerpiece. The service is anchored by the church's Praise Band and Choir, and the song selection draws from both contemporary and traditional repertoire. The musical blend is intentional: the church wants worship to feel familiar to longtime believers while remaining accessible to first-time guests. After the music, Pastor Tony brings a message straight from Scripture, working through books of the Bible in series form. Recent and ongoing series have included summaries from Genesis through Hebrews, with sermon titles such as The Faith of Enoch, The Test of Faith, Looking Ahead, and Our Christian Identity.
Greeters are stationed at the doors and at a Welcome Tent just inside the entrance. They help newcomers find the nursery, the restrooms, the Children's Church rooms, and a seat in the sanctuary. Visitors are encouraged to stick around after the service to meet Pastor Tony and other members of the congregation.
Wednesday Nights: The Whole Family Grows Together
WGBC has structured its Wednesday evenings so that the entire family can be in the building at the same time, with age-appropriate ministries running side by side.
At 6:15 PM, Kids' Connect opens in the Fellowship Hall for children from Pre-K through 5th grade, led by Kids' Connect Director Ms. Diane and her team. At 6:30 PM, Teen Connect begins in the Youth Room for students in 6th through 12th grade. At the same 6:30 PM hour, Adult Connect gathers in Room 5 in the basement of the sanctuary for a Bible study and prayer time led by Pastor Tony.
The shared window means families with kids, teens, and adults can all be on campus together before rejoining one another at the end of the night. Teen Connect runs until 8:00 PM, and Adult Connect concludes at 7:30 PM.
Children's Ministry: From Nursery Through Fifth Grade
The children's ministry at WGBC serves families with children from babies through fifth grade and is built around Mark 10:14: Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
On Sunday mornings, infants through fifth graders attend Sunday School at 9:45 AM. During the 11:00 worship service, children in Kindergarten through fifth grade can attend Children's Church. The nursery is fully staffed and safely run so that parents can focus on the service. On Wednesday evenings at 6:15 PM, Kids' Connect provides fellowship and teaching for Pre-K through fifth grade in the Fellowship Hall. Summer brings Vacation Bible School, and the church also hosts seasonal events throughout the year that involve children and their families.
Youth Ministry: Sixth Through Twelfth Grade
The youth ministry at WGBC exists to equip, encourage, and challenge sixth through twelfth graders to strengthen their relationship with Jesus, build friendships, and live out their faith in their schools and communities. The ministry is rooted in 1 Timothy 4:12: Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers.
Students meet for Youth Sunday School at 9:45 AM in the Youth Room and for Teen Connect on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the same room. Pastor for Youth Chris Cochrane helps new students find their place, and Youth Director Nicolas leads the Wednesday gatherings. Beyond the weekly rhythm, the youth ministry organizes outings, retreats, and trips that build friendships and give teens a chance to put their faith into practice.
Adults: Connect Groups, Bible Study, and Fellowship
WGBC encourages every adult to get plugged in quickly. The Sunday Morning Connect Groups at 9:45 AM are the front door, with classes designed for people in similar stages of life. Wednesday evening Adult Connect provides Bible study and prayer from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in Room 5 under the sanctuary.
Beyond the weekly schedule, the church runs a Men's Ministry with a regular Men's Breakfast and Devotion and an annual Men's Retreat, a Women's Ministry with a Ladies' Luncheon, a Craft Ladies gathering, and an annual Women's Retreat, and a Senior Adult Ministry with planned outings for older members. The church also operates a Clothes Closet Ministry that provides clothing to people in need in the surrounding community.
Beliefs and Baptist Identity
Wilson Grove Baptist Church affirms the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, the confession of faith of the Southern Baptist Convention. That confession summarizes Southern Baptist convictions about the Bible and its authority, the nature of God as Trinity, the spiritual condition of humanity, God's plan of grace and salvation, the purpose of the local church, the ordinances, evangelism, Christian education, interaction with society, religious liberty, and the family.
WGBC is an autonomous congregation but cooperatively affiliates with three larger Baptist bodies: the Metrolina Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention. The church's mission statement calls members to bring glory to God by following the example of Jesus Christ and meeting the spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational needs of people.
Worship Music and the Sanctuary
Music ministry at WGBC is led by a Worship Leader and Accompanist, and the chancel features a Praise Band and a Choir that work together each Sunday morning. The repertoire blends contemporary praise songs with traditional hymns, and the goal is for every part of the service - music, prayer, and preaching - to be grounded in Scripture. The music, the message, and the fellowship all share the same purpose: to present God's Word in a way that is understandable and applicable to daily life.
Community Life and Outreach
WGBC treats community connection as a year-round ministry. The church hosts a Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat, a Walk Thru Bethlehem Live Nativity Tour at Christmas, a Christmas Eve Service, an Easter Walk with the Cross that goes to Mint Hill Square, an Easter Sunrise Service, a Spring Fling, Vacation Bible School, and Praise and Worship Nights. The Clothes Closet Ministry extends care to neighbors in practical ways throughout the year.
The Annual Homecoming Celebration is one of the highlights of the church calendar. The service begins at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary, followed by a covered-dish meal in the fellowship hall - an event that draws generations of alumni back to the church and is often shared by both regular attenders and those returning for a visit.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
WGBC works hard to make a first visit feel easy. Parking is located behind the church, with the closest spots reserved for those with mobility restrictions or young children to carry. An elevator serves both the sanctuary level and the Sunday Morning Connect level.
The dress code is come as you are - the church teaches that no one needs to dress up to earn God's approval. The congregation runs the full range of styles, and newcomers are encouraged to dress in whatever makes them comfortable. Greeters at the doors and the Welcome Tent help with directions, children, and any questions about the service.
The 11:00 AM Sunday service includes blended music led by the Praise Band and Choir, prayer, and a sermon from Pastor Tony. Children's Church is available for K through fifth grade during the service, and the nursery is fully staffed for younger children. Visitors are invited to stay after the service to meet the pastor and other members.
Online: Live Services, Sermons, and Giving
WGBC livestreams its services so that members who are traveling, homebound, or otherwise away can still worship with the church. A live stream page and an archive of recent sermons are available, and selected messages are also posted on the church's YouTube channel. Sermons are accessible both as video and, for many weeks, as audio.
Online giving is handled through a service called Realm. The church has set up giving categories that include General Tithes and Budget, support for a CRU missionary named Jarred Jung, Women's Ministry, a BBQ Shelter Fund, a Children's Department Remodel fund, and Supplies and T-Shirts. Gifts can be made online through the church's giving page or by text to 73256 with the keyword WGBC.
The Pastoral Team
Pastor Tony Carter leads the congregation. His welcome message reflects the church's tone: warm, honest, and focused on pointing people to Jesus. Chris Cochrane serves as Pastor for Youth, working alongside Youth Director Nicolas to lead the middle and high school ministry. Ms. Diane leads the Kids' Connect team, and the music ministry is led by a Worship Leader supported by an Accompanist. A Church Administrator handles the day-to-day operations of the office.
A Church That Points to the Light
For more than 140 years, Wilson Grove Baptist Church has served Mint Hill and the surrounding communities with a steady rhythm of worship, Bible study, and ministry to neighbors. Its calling remains the same as it was in 1881: to stand as a lighthouse for all people, helping them face the storms of life by pointing them toward the light of Jesus Christ.