Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church: a Synopsis

God consecrated Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church as a congregation on the fourth weekend of April 1982. Charter members included believers who had a genuine thirst for the Word and who desired to live more victorious and rewarding lives through enlightenment and daily practice. The church began with a Bible study in a private home. As others were invited, the Lord showed favor, and the group increased in number and understanding of the principles of God. As the fellowship and love grew among the group, lives changed, and the Lord revealed himself through the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

Through much prayer, fasting, and supplication, the Lord placed it on the hearts of  Charles Thomas and other members of the Bible study to incorporate the body of believers as a church to serve as a beacon to others, to serve the Lord Jesus, and to understand His purpose for their lives through knowledge and understanding of His Word.

Beacon Hill became an extension of Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago. The idea of a church plant was embraced by Pastor Dale of Chicago Heights, Illinois. Since its incorporation, many deacons, elders, and ministers have been ordained. In 2002, Pastor Robert Johnson of McNair Farms Community Fellowship Church and its membership joined with Beacon Hill.  Pastor Vincent Williams and Faith Mission became part of the Beacon Hill family of believers in 2003.

The most important factor in the spiritual growth of the congregation has been those times of fasting and praying. No action was taken until the membership sought the Lord. Throughout Beacon Hill’s history, when wilderness experiences came upon the body, the Lord always removed the veil when the church returned to prayer and fasting. Of vital importance as well, were the teachings on the Holy Spirit, healing, prayer and the ministry of helps.

During the church’s history, Beacon Hill has had four pastors, Charles Thomas, 1982-1993; John Hardy, 1993-94; Anthony Holland, 1996; and Ralph C. Duke, pastor since March 1997. During the years when the congregation was without a pastor, Terrance Smithers served as the lead minister. Minister Otis Gaskins, who came to serve in 1996, continued to be an integral part of the ministry as minister of music until his relocation to New Jersey in 2004.

In 1999, Beacon Hill was blessed with the resources to purchase the current building, located on Centerville Road in Herndon, Virginia. The three- room facility, built in 1916, has 2,200 square feet, including a sanctuary and two multi-purpose rooms. The seating capacity in the sanctuary is 90, with an overflow section for 30. Currently the church is in the process of building a new facility at its current site.

Beacon Hill has truly been blessed in its ministries and in its spiritual growth from healing ministries to its outreach ministries. Under the leadership of Pastor Duke, foreign missions have become a staple. He has assembled or joined other teams to fulfill the command in Acts 1:8.  Beacon Hill also supports home and foreign missions through donations of the church’s tithes and offerings. The congregation provides services to prisons, nursing homes, community food bank, the homeless, and home repair for the needy.  An annual Beacon Awards banquet recognizes community service leaders. Additional outreach ministries have included dramatic arts, Ministry of Movement (MOM), and support for those suffering from addictive behavior.    .

Beacon Hill will continue its vision, to advance the kingdom of God by building people and community, according to the Word of God.