EBC CHURCH HISTORY
In the year of 1954, the late Rev. Lewis H. Simmons had a vision to build a Church. It had already been pre-destined, ordained, confirmed, and arranged by God that Rev. Simmons would travel to the country of Hamilton, Bermuda to run a soul-saving revival. While there, REV. Simmons would be commissioned by God to go back home to Summerville, SC, and build a Church, and name it “Emanuel” because “I Will Be With You”.
So with only a few followers of God, not man, the Church was established as a chartered and incorporated organization on October 7, 1954. This very same spot of land was purchased and the ground-breaking ceremony was held on Thanksgiving Day of that same year. The Pastor of our Founder, the late Rev. Dr. Paul G. Daniels, delivered the sermon, and his subject title for his message was most befitting, “Upon This Rock, I Will Build My Church.”
The Vision Was To Be More Than Just A Worshipping Edifice, It Was To Be:
❖ A Safe Haven For Those In Need;
❖ An Institution Of Learning;
❖ A Home For The Lost;
❖ A Healing Station For The Sick;
❖ A Saving Post For The Sinner;
❖ A Revival Depot For The Weak, And;
❖ A U-turn Point For The Backslider.
Early in his ministry, Rev. Simmons was granted an Honorable Doctor of Divinity, from the Grambling Theological Seminary in Grambling, Louisiana. This helped him to accomplish much during his pastorate here. REV. Simmons was Also a Gospel Music singer and composer. Much of his compositions are copyrighted and archived in the files at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Rev. Simmons loved to sing and did many renditions throughout the United States, but his most favorite solo was “My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me.” His most popular compositions were “I’m Living the Right Life Now” and “Praise His Name.”
Through His Ministry, when church services were not being rendered, the Church would be converted into a classroom setting, known then as “The Institute.” The Institute was ran and taught by Mother Sarah Simmons and Rev. Simmons, as they taught the community various types of trades which greatly benefited the community. Dr. Simmons also spear-headed the Voter Registration initiative, which prepared blacks to vote. This coordinated efforts was through the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), under the directorship of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.
Now here we are, “Built on the rock of our salvation,” which is still standing on Christ, The Solid Rock!
Since Emanuel Baptist Church has been in existence, we have been blessed with the leadership of only five Pastors and our current Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry, Deacon David Moultrie, along with the body of Deacons were very instrument in keeping the doors to God’s house open at Emanuel Baptist Church:
Our Founder, Rev. Lewis H. Simmons, Served From 1954 Until His Death In March Of 1971.
Our Current Pastor, John T. Miller came to us, ready to work and carry out God’s plan in November 2008. Between the time frame of August 2007 and November 2008, Emanuel Baptist Church was without a Pastor, so Deacon David Moultrie along with the Deacon Ministry, were tasked with finding various Ministers to preach God’s word and administer Communion to the members. As a God sent, then Elder John T. Miller, came in and began preaching and conducting Communion Service for our Church several Sundays out the month. This shows that God had already had plans for Pastor Miller to be a part of Emanuel Baptist Church. During his current administration the following acts have taken place:
o Established Blessed Generations Daycare Ministry;
o Established EBC Travels Bus Ministry;
o Established Former Things Made New Thrift Ministry;
o Established EBC Learning Enrichment Summer Camp Program Ministry;
o Purchasing of the land across the street, with the vision of erecting Educational Center;
o Established a Deacons/Deaconess Anniversary;
o Established a Mother of the Church and Mother’s Board Ministry;
o Started a Summertime Free Lunch Program Ministry;
o Started a Food Bank Ministry;
o Ordained two (4) Deacons;
o Licensed three (6) Preachers/Ministers;
o Ordained one (1) to an Elder.
Now, Pastor John T. Miller is a visionary and has been given a vision from God to build a new statuary and connect it to the existing statuary as well as the David D. Moultrie Fellowship Hall. Pastor Miller is on a mission for the Lord, to save souls, which will be added to the Kingdom of God, which is in Heaven.