Our Mission & Vision
Our mission is to engage, instruct, and prepare our youth for victorious living in the midst of a dark world. We desire to facilitate the cultivation of hearts that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for God, and His ways.
Our vision is to make disciples for Christ who are living testimonies unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and who are set for its defense, and committed to its promulgation.
Our Values
What drives everything we do and how we serve others every day
The Bible
God has spoken, is speaking and will speak in and through His word. To know God, we have to read His Word. (John 1:1-5)
Reaching the Lost
Lost people matter to God and, therefore, they matter to us. (Luke 5:30-32, Luke 15, Matthew 18:14, Romans 10:14-15)
Discipleship
Teaching and sharing our faith is the cornerstone of building our faith and transforming our lives. (Romans 12:7, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:23-25).
Service
Believers should serve as the hands and feet of Christ, using their spiritual gifts and ministry callings to build God’s Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 12 and 14, Romans 12:1-8, Ephesians 4:11-13, Psalm 133:1)
Prayer
Prayer is foundational for your relationship with Christ. (Acts 2:42; Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Relationships
Discipleship works best when it’s built around authentic relationships that help people come to know Jesus and grow stronger in their faith. (Matthew 22:36-40)
Community
Life-change happens best in community. (Luke 6:12-13, Acts 2:44-47)
Compassion
Forgiveness and building each other up are central to the teachings of Christ. (Matthew 6:14, Matthew 18:21-22, Ephesians 4:32, Psalm 116:5, James 5:11, John 13:34-35)
Our History
“The God who was with the church yesterday and in yesteryear is the Lord of today and tomorrow!
The Beginning
- April 1947, five people: William Dewberry, Booker Hannah, Jack Small, Albert D. and Eva B. Umstead, came together to organize a membership to serve the Lord. At the suggestion of Mrs. Mary Pretty, the church would be named Pilgrim Baptist Church, with Reverend William Tolbert serving as the first pastor.
- May 1947, a building formerly known as “The Third Fork Inn” was purchased through united efforts for $5000.00 and weekly services began. Reverend Tolbert served from May 1947 through September 1949.
- October 1949, Reverend Willie T. Thornton became second Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church, and would serve until his death on September 23, 1992.
- September 1992, Reverend Davis was installed as the 3rd Pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church. May 1996 Reverend Davis expanded the church‛s ministry to reach others via way of radio and television broadcast called “Power of the Word” Ministry
- July 1, 1997– Property purchased for the building of the new church.
The 2000’s
- July 2003– Ground breaking ceremony held.
- July 24, 2005– First Service in the new facility.
- December 2015-The final mortgage payment was made on the new facility.
- March 2016-Mortgage burning ceremony held.
- September 30, 2019– Pastor Dennis G. Davis transitioned to be with the Lord.
- January 3, 2021– Reverend Gary D. Jones preached first service as interim pastor.
- In May 2021, Pastor Jones spoke to Evangelist Vanessa Jackson about creating an After School Program that would provide students across the community with homework help, tutoring, and a safe place for working families to send their children. Kingdom Kidz After School Program affectionately known as K-KAP, began on August 23, 2021, with just a few staff and 8 students. K-KAP is in its 2nd year and is partnered with the North Carolina Central Community Engagement Office, a Nutrition Program, and KIPP of Durham Elementary School. K-KAP anticipates a maximum of 30 students before the end of October 2022.
- June 2021-Pilgrim Baptist Church began a partnership with Durham Public Schools to provide nutritional meals to children in the surrounding neighborhood during the summer months. The program which not only feeds the body but seeks to nourish the soul as well. Our goal is to reach children in the neighborhood with the Word of God through all means available while providing food, fun, and fundamentals for living life abundantly.
- June 27, 2021– Reverend Gary D. Jones installed as the fourth pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church of Durham.
- February 2022– Pilgrim Baptist Church began a partnership with Parkwood Elementary PTA and the Network of Families on the fourth Thursday of each month to distribute food and supplies to needy families and to stock the food pantries at schools throughout Durham.
