Mission Baptist Church
Mission Baptist Church was founded by Lowell Ball on July 9, 1995. Brother Ball pastored Mission Baptist Church until September 3, 2000. Ricky Gibson served as interim pastor until he was voted in as pastor on July 5, 2001.
Mission Baptist met in an old church of God building in the Sutton Town area of Haywood County until April 26, 2002 when Pastor Ricky Gibson orchestrated the purchase of the present building located on 69 Brook Street. Pastor Ricky and Rick Ingle remodeled the building and the church met in the present building for the first time on June 1, 2003. God blessed and the church paid off the building on August 2, 2007 in the amount of $30,579.
When Ricky Gibson became pastor, Mission Baptist was supporting two missionaries. At present the church supports 46 missionaries as well as giving to the Western Carolina Campmeeting and supporting two Christian radio stations yearly.
God has indeed blessed financially as well as spiritually over the 29 years the church has served in the community. Praise God for his goodness!
Pastor Ricky & Marlene Gibson
"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15"
Pastor Ricky Gibson was born on March 8, 1947. His parents took him to church from the age of 1 week old at Maple Grove Baptist Church. He grew up in the Bethel community until June of 1960 when his family moved to Stamey Cove near Canton. Ricky was saved at Maple Grove Baptist Church on November 23, 1963 under the preaching of Maze Jackson.
He attended Bethel Grammar School and graduated from Bethel High School in 1965. He then attended Asheville-Buncombe Community College and graduated with an Associated Degree in Mechanical Technology in 1967. After graduation, Champion Papers Inc. hired him in August of 1967. In February of 1968, he was drafted into the US Army. He served 3 years in the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group (Green Berets).
While at Asheville-Buncombe Community College, he met Marlene Webb and was married on June 7, 1969 while still serving in the military. In 1970 he joined Calvary Baptist Church in Ayer, Massachusetts. While there he was Youth Director, taught the young men’s class, and sang in the choir. After the military, Ricky and Marlene moved back to Waynesville, North Carolina and joined Maple Grove Baptist Church in 1971. He attended Maple Grove for 13 years serving as Youth Director, teaching the young married couples class, serving as Assistant Choir Director, presiding over the grounds and building committee, and preaching on their radio program on occasion.
In February of 1984, New Hope Baptist Church in Candler sked him to be their interim pastor after hearing his preaching on the radio. Ricky had not announced his call to preach but surrendered to the calling in July of 1984. He was ordained to preach at Maple Grove Baptist Church on July 14, 1984 and was voted in as pastor of New Hope Baptist Church on July 15, 1984. He served as pastor until August of 1996. After leaving New Hope Baptist Church, he again joined Maple Grove Baptist Church where he taught the adult men’s class and served as interim pastor for about 1 and a half years.
In January of 2001, he again left Maple Grove Baptist Church to become interim pastor of Mission Baptist Church. He served as interim pastor until he was voted in as pastor on July 5, 2001 where he continues to serve at present.
Mission Baptist Church 