THE HISTORY OF NEW SAINTS C.M.E. CHURCH

On February 23, 2003, at New Hope's CME Church Conference, a motion was made that the congregation of New Hope merge with the congregation of St. James CME to become one church. The decision was made to move from New Hope to the St. James CME Church site to perform all activities, he motion was passed without opposition. As a result of the vote, Rev. Charles E. Henderson became the first pastor of the new church.   Mrs. Marion Sheppard suggested that the new church should be ailed New Saints CME Church because that name is made up of a part of each church. The idea was accepted and voted upon with everyone fully supporting the name.   The first officers were: Steward board Chairpersons; Bro. Roger Harper & Sis. Marion Sheppard; Stewardess Board Chairpersons: Sis.Tishia Evans & Sis. Annie Graves; Trustee Board Chairpersons: Bro. Jeff Banks & Sis. Carrie Barnett; Treasurer: Sis. Vivian Evans; Secretaries/Recording Stewards: Sis. Dollie Gaye & Sis. Annie Graves; Sunday School Superintendents: Bro. Carey Davis, Bro. Terry Harris & Bro. Tristen Perry; Women's Missionary Society Chairpersons: Sis. Elmira Rucker & Sis. Carrie Barnett; Minister of Music: Sis Dollie Gaye; Usher Board Chairperson: Sis. Pearl L. Jackson; Lay Leader: Bro. Roger Harper; CYF & Young Adults: Sis. Dollie Gaye & Sis, Frances Cofer.

New Hope's final services were held on April 27, 2003, as Presiding Elder Albert Lee III performed the Closing Ceremony, which ended the operation of New Hope CME Church. Our first combined services, s New Saints CME, were held on May 4, 2003. The first new member of the New Saints CME Church was Bro. Monteck Thomas. He was Baptized on May 17, 2003 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, and was given the right hand of fellowship on May 25, 2003.

Our first Pastor's Appreciation as New Saints CME was held on May 18, 2003. The speaker was  Willie Wiley, pastor of St. Lewis CME/Sparta, Ga. The first Men & Women's Day and first rally was held on May 25, 2003 as we dedicated all funds to be used to replace the church's entire roof.

The first Recognition Sunday was held along with our first Father's Day on June 15, 2003, which was followed by our first Vacation Bible School. New Saints' first Annual Conference was held on July 21

- 25, 2003, at Trinity CME Church in Augusta, Georgia. The Annual Conference made New Saints CME Church official on July 25, 2003 and Rev. Charles E. Henderson was ordained as an "Elder" on he same day.

On July 6, 2003, Bro. Jarrett Gaye joined New Saints and was followed by his father, Bro. Frank Gaye who reconfirmation his faith on July 20, 2003. Bro. Desmond Barnett joined on July 27, 2003. Sis. Thelma Davis reconfirmed her faith with the church on August 10, 2003, and Sis. Sarah Davis

reconfirmed her faith with the church on August 17, 2003. On September 14, 2003 both Jarrett Gaye and Desmond Barnett were Baptized at New Saints CME. Church. We replaced our roof and purchased i keyboard system for the church. Our first Missionary Program was held on October 5, 2003, and our speaker was Sis. Rudine Phelphs. October 5^th was also the date that Sis. Bernice Henderson officially became part of the New Saints CME Church. In September of 2003, the New Saints Male Choir was formed and made its first appearance for the Missionary Society Anniversary Program. The members were Bro. Jeff Banks, Bro. Roger Harper, Bro. Tristen Perry, Bro. Terry Harris, Bro. Frank Gaye, Rev. Charles E. Henderson, and musician Sis. Dollie Gaye.   Bro. Jason Cobb and Bro. Carey Davis joined.

New Saints CME hosted the District Missionary Society meeting, for the first time, on October 11, 2003. Sis. Annie H. Gresham, our oldest member (93), was given funeral services on November 1, 2003 at our church. Our first Usher Board Anniversary was held on November 16, 2003 and our first annual Christmas Services with dinner was held on December 21, 2003. We held our first Watch Night Services on December 31, 2003.

We started the New Year off with our  Martin L. King Jr. Recognition Day on January 18, 2003. On February 15, 2004 we held our first C.Y.F. & Black History Program and Mayor Willie Burns was a guest speaker. The first Fourth Quarterly Conference of New Saints CME was held on March 7, 2004 and our Elder, Rev. Albert Lee in, preached on "The Lord's Supper". Our church hosted the first "Saving Our Sons" Program meeting, which was founded by our pastor Rev. Charles E. Henderson, to help the adult males to plan together methods to help increase the number of boys who stay in school and graduate from WWHS in our community.

New Saints' first Annual Men & Women's Day celebration was held on March 21, 2004. Our Speaker was Rev. Eddie Thornton, pastor of Flat Rock CME Church located in Hartwell, Georgia.

May 2, 2004, marked our first Church Anniversary as New Saints C.M.E. Church. Our speaker was Rev. Dwayne Crew, son of Rev. and  Willie Crew who are members of our church. Our first Spring Revival was held May 3-5, 2004, Monday thru Wednesday nights at 7:30 P.M.. The preachers who delivered God's messages were as follows: Monday - Rev. Crawford, Tuesday - Rev. Downer, and Wednesday - Rev. Goss. We are working together to help bring others to the throne of grace.

We celebrated many occasions between June 2004 and May 2005 including but not limited to our second; Mother's Day, Pastor's Appreciation, Usher Board, Christmas Program, Black History, Men & Women's Day, Missionary Day and Gospel Music Programs. One of our air conditioning units was replaced and various other repairs made.

Before the 2004 Annual Conference, the Lord led our pastor to develop and establish the Safety Net Advisory Program (SNAP) that works to help Middle and High School students understand how African-American males have been successful in the past and are successful now. On July 11, 2004, the SNAP held the first sign-up event. One of the major goals is for each student to graduate from High School on time, and ^prepared to enter into a College or Technical School. Presently, we are working with sixteen (16) students. At the Georgia North Region Annual Conference held July 19-23, 2004, our pastor, Charles E. Henderson, was admitted into Full Connection. Our first SNAP meeting was held at our church on August 21, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.; and our SOSP adults were fully prepared for using their Saturdays to meet the challenges ahead.

On October 31, 2004, our Male Choir celebrated their First Anniversary and the SOSP/SNAP Programs were spotlighted as the Clark Family provided the praise at our first Gospel Music Program. On November 21, 2004, Sis. Mary Williams joined our church and she received the right hand of fellowship on December 5, 2004. On February 13, 2005, Shania E. Jones, eight (8) months old, was Baptized. Also, Bro. George Milton joined our church on April 17, 2005, and he was Baptized on Sunday, April 24, 2005. We give all the glory to Christ, our Lord and Savior.

May 1, 2005, marked our Second Church Anniversary as New Saints CME Church. Our speaker was Rev. W.J. Whelcher, III, pastor of Norman Grove CME. Church of Elberton, Ga.

Our Spring Revival was held May 2-4, 2005: Monday, May 2^nd , Willie Wiley of St. Lewis C.M.E.; Tuesday, May 3^rd Rev. Florence Gaines of St. Paul C.M.E.; Wednesday, May 4^th, Rev. Charles Belton of Mt. Carmel Baptist were our preachers. Devotional service began at 7:00 p.m. each night and we praised the Lord.

New Saints celebrated many wonderful events between May 2005 and May 2006. On May 15, 2005 Chiquita Turner joined our church and was baptized on May 22^nd, and on July 24^th, Donnell Campbell joined our church. Our Ground Breaking Service was held on Sept. 11^th and our first Healing Service was held on October 30^th.   All of our annual programs were very successful this past year, and we give God the Praise!

During the past year, we had two of our members; Sis. Psychic Durham and Bro Bill Samuels, depart this earth for their heavenly home and we celebrate their lives with us. Our SNAP has increased to twenty-three (23) young men and we are striving to make a difference in the lives of our teenagers. Sis. Gaye took D. J. Barnett, M. Thomas and J. Gaye to the Georgia North Regional Youth Retreat and we are excited for M. Thomas who won the Essay Contest. Pastor Henderson started a Bible Study Class at the County's Detention Center and he serves as spiritual counselor for the local Senior Citizen's Center. Our members fully supported all District and Annual functions.

We needed to increase our parking area and our fellowship hall. Through our prayers and commitment to service, we were able to acquire the lot in the back of the church, and we completed our new fellowship hall on May 5, 2006. Also, we were able to change all of the properties of Zion, New Hope, and St. James CME Churches; into the Trade Name of New Saints CME Church. Our blessings continue to flow and we give to God all of the Glory!

May 7, 2006, marked our Third Church Anniversary as New Saints C.M.E. Church. Our speaker was Rev. Dr. Thomas Bowie Slater who is Associate Professor of New Testament Studies, at Mercer University's James and Carolyn McAfee School of Theology.  Slater is the pastor of St. Mary's CME Church, located in Elberton Ga. We were excited to have Dr. and  Slater, along with St. Mary's congregation to share such a great day. To God we give the Glory!

Our Spring Revival was held on May 8-10, 2006: Monday, May 8^th, Rev. D. Hart of Friendship,

Tuesday, May 9^th, Rev. V. White of New Hope CME, Sharon; Wednesday, May 10^th, Rev. R. Crawford of Mulberry Baptist. Devotional service began at 7:30 p.m. each night and we had a wonderful opportunity to serve our Lord and Savior.

New Saints was blessed to have many exciting events that occurred between May 2006 and May 2007. A few of our events were: June 11^th Recognition Day, June 12-16th Vacation Bible School, June 18^th District Wide Annual Stewardesses Day. Also in June, Jason Cobb received his Medical Doctor Degree from Emory University's School of Medicine. At the Georgia North Region Annual Conference, August 1-4 , pastor Charles E. Henderson was elected to serve on the Annual Conference Board of Trustees.

On August 11, 2006 Rev. Willie Crew departed from this earth and Bishop Othal H. Lakey conducted the Eulogy on August 16^th. On September 24^th Shanalie Chambers and Shaneroy Chambers joined our church, and on October 15^th they were Baptized and given the right hand of Fellowship. November our pastor and wife, started involvement in the Adults-In-the-Making (AIM) a University of Georgia Family Intervention training Program at our church. This program helps High School students, and their parents to make the best choices in their struggles to move from dependent into independent lives as adults.

On January 14, 2007, we held our first Laymen's Program at 3 p.m. and our speaker was Rev. Gale Seibert, pastor of Washington First United Methodist Church. Also on this date, Sis. Lillie Sturgis changed membership from New Saints to Flat Rock CME Church. January 26-28, 2007 was the weekend that our church hosted the First Bishop and Presiding Elders' Retreat. The attendees: Bishop Othal H Lakey, Elder Albert Lee IE (Elberton Gainesville), Elder Jerry D. Woodfork (Atlanta-Rome), Elder J. Ronzell Maness (Augusta-Sparta), Elder Raymond Ford (Fort Valley-Savannah), Elder Jane E. Thomas (Macon-Barnesville), Elder Jesse Averett (N. Columbus-LaGrange), Elder Thurmond D. Brown (S. Columbus-Cordele), Elder Robert W. Yarbrough (Moultrie-McRae), Elder Carlton Mahone (Albany-Thomasville). On January 26^th, training sessions and Candle Light Service was held. January 27^th proceeded with training sessions during the day, but Saturday night, Mayor Willie Burns sponsored a banquet at the Fitzpatrick Hotel in honor of the Bishop and Presiding Elders. On Sunday morning, the Bishop conducted the Dedication of our building, while Elder Jane E. Thomas was the preacher of the hour. The Presiding Elders attended our service and participated fully in the order of worship.

On January 28, Bro. James Thomas joined New Saints, and on February 11^th he was given the right hand of fellowship. Also on this same day, we held the first SNAP Recognition Event and our speaker was Jason Cobb, M.D. On February 26^th, Pastor Charles Henderson joined the Wilkes Ministers Alliance. The District CYF met at New Saints in February and two of our members were elected to office. Bro. Jarrett Gaye, elected President; and Bro. Monteck Thomas, elected Vice President of the CYF. During March 30 -April 1, 2007 our youth attended the Young Adult Retreat at the Georgia Baptist Center in Toccoa, Ga. At the Retreat, Bro. Jarrett Gaye won

Our SNAP has increased to thirty-four (34) young men and we are striving to make a difference in the lives of our teenagers who attend our local Middle and High Schools. To God we give the Glory!

New Saints participated in the Interdenominational Holy Week Noon Services as follows: April 2ⁿ at First United Methodist, April 3^rd at Washington Presbyterian, April 4^th at New Saints CME, April 5* at Baptist Mission Center, and April 6^th First Baptist. Then on April 15^th, we held our first Stewards, Stewardesses and Trustees'