The History of New Hope Baptist Church

In 1927, Mother Willie Johnson founded New Hope Baptist Church after leaving St. Joe Baptist Church in Galloway and recognizing the need for a place of worship in her new community. She began holding Sunday school, a choir, and Wednesday night prayer meetings in her home, eventually obtaining a dilapidated building to use as a church. With the help of children from the community, she cleaned and repaired the space, establishing the church’s first official location. Rev. J. Barnes organized the church, and it was named New Hope Baptist Church by Miss Sallie B. Johnson, with Rev. W.M. Green elected as the first pastor.

Over the years, New Hope grew under various leaders. Rev. L.B. Kelly became pastor in 1960 and oversaw a major remodel in 1967. In 1970, Rev. Don A. Kelly, Sr. led the church through a period of expansion, relocating and rebuilding it by 1973, adding hundreds of members, ordaining deacons and ministers, and purchasing additional land.

In 1993, Rev. Edward D. Lairry was elected pastor, and under his leadership, New Hope experienced further growth, adding outreach ministries and preparing to build a new facility. After his resignation in 1999, Pastor C.L. Kelly led the church through continued expansion, building a new edifice and founding the Conway campus in 2007, helping the membership grow to over 1,500.

In 2015, Rev. George Lewis Parks, Jr. became Senior Pastor, ushering in a new season of growth and innovation. Under his leadership, New Hope completed the House of Hope Ministry Center, expanded its North Little Rock sanctuary, and paid off the Conway campus facility. The church also developed partnerships with local organizations, established a food bank, and launched the Kelly/Parks Scholarship.

Now, with Rev. Dr. George Shears III as the new Senior Pastor, New Hope Baptist Church is poised for its next chapter of growth. Dr. Shears brings a fresh enthusiasm for Christ, and his leadership will continue to build on the strong foundation laid over nearly a century. The church stands firm in its mission to build faith and share love, confident that the best is yet to come.