(Organized June 21, 1989 by Pastor Arthur L. House Jr.)
Pastor Arthur L. House, Jr. held worship service for the future Open Door Baptist Church on June 11, 1989 at 8:00 am in the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA, Newport News, Virginia. Sixty-Two dedicated Christians attended the worship service; Rev. William Cuestes of New York was the guest minister for the most memorable occasion.
The following Sunday, worship service was held again by future pastor, Pastor Arthur L. House Jr. After the first two services an organizational meeting was held on June 21, 1989. Rev. House stated"We believe we can have a church where we can work together in the spirit of love and truth, we want to lift up the name of Jesus". The persons present agreed unanimously to continue worship service at 8:00 am at the Phyllis Wheatley YMCA and to organize a church.
It was decided that the name of the church would be Open Door Baptist Church and that Revelation 3:8 would be the church theme scripture to be printed on the bulletin each Sunday.
It was further decided that the pastor of Open Door Baptist Church would be Pastor Arthur L. House Jr. and the Assistant Pastor would be Rev. Wesley Kittling.
Deacons Weldon Davis, Jessie Williams and Earnest Mason were called upon to serve and Brother Ross Hailey, Jr. was made a deacon in training. Other officers were nominated and unanimously approved. Appointments were also made.
They were as follows:
SUPT. OF SUNDAY SCHOOL .........................................................
Forty-Two dedicated Christians signed the roll and became charter members of the newly organized
Open Door Baptist Church, June 21, 1989. From that day forward, the pastor and members of Open Door Baptist Church got busy caring out the"Lord's work".Brother Ross Haley organized the Fellowship Choir which moved us spiritually each Sunday as we worshipped the Lord.
God continues to allow us to move forward in His name as we embarked on the restoration of our beautiful edifice He has blessed us with. We praise God daily for the generous spirit of the Phoebus Restoration Baptist Church for the gift of this building on Nov. 25, 1992.
"I know thy works: Behold,
I have set before thee an Open Door
and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept