About

Pastor Gaddy accepted the assignment, and was called to ministry in South Carolina. During their time in South Carolina, Pastor Gaddy and his wife, Daphne, cultivated a strong network. He served as a Strategist with the Santee Baptist Association in Sumter SC, before assuming leadership of the Church Planting Assessment Team in the SCBC Convention, playing a pivotal role in preparing, assessing, and launching church planters across the state. His arrival at Pilgrim Rest brings a wealth of knowledge and practical tools, aimed at implementing strategies to maximize the local church’s impact on its community and the world at large. Rev. Gaddy’s expertise extends to empowering church leaders in developing their 501(c)3 CDCs and crafting impactful curriculum to impact the kingdom and the community.

Pastor Aaron Harris

On April 21, 1961, Reverend Aaron Harris was elected as the fourth Pastor. Installation service was held on July 13 through July 16, 1961. Rev. W.L. Patterson, Pastor of the True Light Missionary Baptist Church delivered the sermon and gave the charge to Reverend Harris and to the church.

Reverend Harris, a great teacher, and visionary saw that the accommodations were inadequate, so with God’s guidance, he put his mind to work. He established the Junior Church in the lower level and appointed Rev. Tommy Davis as their instructor. He organized the Young Adult Choir, Angel Choir, and the Progressive Club.

Reverend Harris was instrumental in ratifying the Trustee Board and was the first Pastor to present “Tithing” to the congregation. Rev. Harris became ill and on May 20, 1963, he went home to be with the Lord.

Pastor Emmett H. Hill

Pastor Emmett H Hill was elected third Pastor of Pilgrim Rest on November 19, 1937. Pastor Hill was charged with getting the church financially stable. No bank would give the church a loan; Pastor Hill continued to pray and on November 6, 1940 the mortgage was redeemed with a loan received from the Blodgett Memorial Emergency Fund. The Mortgage was paid off May 20 1944; Pastor Hill remained a faithful leader until illness in October 1959. He retired after twenty three years. He remained Pastor Emeritus until he went home to the Lord on November 5, 1962.

The Reverend Doctor Maurice Jones

God’s Man: God’s Plan

A Living Testimony

Reverend Jones was born January 7, 1930 in Redland, Texas to Nelson & Willie Jones and was the eldest of (9) Children. He married Catherine Gibson September 18, 1949. From his Union there are (3) Daughters: Carolyn, Mattie and Dorcas, (4) Grandchildren: Sharnessa, Marquay, Eric & Alexis, (7) Great-Grandchildren: Marquay, Sierra, Qori, Taylor, Nyles, Anayah, & Jaydah.

The Reverend Dr. Maurice Jones “Committed his works unto the Lord; and God Established his Thoughts”. As Pastor of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church for 44.5 Years, Pastor Jones consistently preached the “Gospel ” about the Virgin Birth, Baptism, Love, Teachings, Healing Power, Salvation, Grace, Mercy, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Resurrection, Ascension and Return of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Over the years, he had Administered Communion, Instructed, Blessed, Baptized, Eulogized, Counseled; Sung Praises of Zion; Licensed and Ordained Ministers, Ordained Deacons, Appointed Officers; Ministered to the Needy, Youth, Children At Risk, Seniors and Overall “Kingdom Building. ” Pastor Jones has obtained extensive knowledge in Christian Education, Leadership, Church Management, Administration, Financial Management, and Development. He was a proven Spirit Led Leader, who had Successfully Created, Managed, and Supported Innovative Programs and Organizations to Promote Christian Love and Unity. Pastor Jones was a receptive “Man of God” with a Testimony, Demonstrated Vision, and Organizational Skills. With his experience and commitment to church outreach, he led the Development and Implementation of Various Humanitarian Programs Which Included A Food Pantry, Assisted in Establishing Churches in Africa, Haiti, and India. He had Developed Activities to Meet the Cultural, Civic, and Spiritual Needs of the Church and the Community.

Pastor Jones was a Local, National, and Internationally Recognized Evangelist and Singer who had Traveled all over the world. He was attributed with recording eight albums entitled: “Pure Religion”, “Master, Make Them Hush”, “Death in the Pot”, “Power of Touch”, “Father into Thy Hands”, “As An Eagle Stirreth Her Nest”, “Washed in the Blood of the Gospel of Reconciliation”, and “If Loving You is Wrong I Don’t Want To Be Right.” Singing has been a part of his life from a youth when he sang with the popular Moonlight Spirituals of Texas, The Soul Travelers of Kansas City, MO, toured with Bro. Joe May and sang with the Three Keys of Kansas City, MO.

As a Spiritual Leader, he had served as a Shepherd over a Corporate Body of approximately 750 Members including a Formal Board of Deacons and Trustees. Over the years, he had provided tutelage to approximately 40 of the Gospel and Fostered Christian Fellowships by establishing over 40 areas of Ministries, Boards, Committees, and Choirs.

As an Educational Leader, he directed the weekly Sunday School and Wednesday Bible Classes/Prayer Meetings; Instructed Sunday School Teachers; Supported and Instructed Vacation Bible School Programs; Established and Maintained a Scholarship Fund, which continues to Provide Financial Assistance to The Under-Graduate Youth of Pilgrim Rest; Established the Junior Church, New Members Class, Evangelistic Outreach Ministry, Brotherhood Fellowship, Sisterhood Fellowship, Married Couples Ministry, Singles Ministry, Children and Youth Ministry; Sponsored and Hosted tours to the Holy Land for more than Three Decades beginning in 1970.

As a Visionary with Management and Development Plans for Growth, Pastor Jones realized in 1964, the church seating capacity was inadequate for the increased membership. As a result, he established an 8 A.M. Worship Service; In 1965, he Orchestrated the Purchase of 5 lots on Franklin and College Streets on a Cash Basis. On April 4, 1966, Groundbreaking Services led to the construction of a new Church Edifice which was completed in 8 months under his leadership. Pastor Jones led the March from the Former Sanctuary at 820 Ionia Street SW, to the New Sanctuary at 510 Franklin SE; Administered a 15-year mortgage that was Paid off in 8 years and 9 months. In 1988, Blessed with continued Growth and Vision, the East Wing of the Church was added which included Executives offices and Additional Classrooms were added. The church was then made Handicap Accessible and an Elevator was added. Another 15-year mortgage was obtained and paid off ahead of schedule, in 7 years.

Purchases of a Station Wagon, Church Vans, and Several Charter Buses were executed under his direction over the years, and they too were paid off in Record Time. Since 1985, the church has been financed entirely through Tithes and Offerings of God’s people.

Pastor William Moss

In 1927, William Moss was elected the First Pastor of Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Pilgrims Rest first establish place of Worship was 422 Ionia. As the Church continued to grow the members purchased Calvert Baptist church located at 820 Ionia Ave SE. Pastor Moss established some of the first committees and auxiliaries that still exist today. He resigned as pastor in 1930 and continue to be a member until he went home to be with the lord August 19, 1951.

Pastor Will H. Thompson

Will H. Thompson was elected and served as the church’s second Pastor. He moved to Grand Rapids and assumed his Pastoral Duties as the Church continued to grow and move forward. Pilgrim and Pastor Thompsons continue to be Active in the Chain Lake Baptist District Association. In 1934, Pastor Thompson was elected Moderator of the Chain Lake District Association. He continued as Pastor of Pilgrim Rest until 1937. He went home to be with the Lord, May 2, 1950.