Church History

Community Baptist Church in the beginning! We started building 1981 and moved into the building 1985
We will celebrate 55 years as a Church Family Sunday, August 8, 2021, 10:00 am. We are located at 245 East Foster Avenue, Henderson, NV.
Many have come and many have gone. But God has sustained us! “We will Celebrate the past and plan for the future”
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
245 East Foster Avenue   Henderson, NV  89011

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world.”  Matthew 28:19-20

After many months of prayer and seeking to know the will of God, Pastor Sylvester Parks was inspired to lead in organizing a new congregation.  Many had been to Henderson before, but they had left.

On April 15, 1966, a new Christian congregation was organized in the Administration Building of Carver Park in Henderson, Nevada.  Pastor I.W. Wilson presided at the opening ceremony.  The Founder and Minister, Pastor Sylvester P. Parks had responded to a call to provide spiritual leadership in a new growing community.  Although the congregation began with four families as charter members, the Lord continued to add to the church such as should be saved.

In 1969, the Church was forced to move to Apartment C on West Lincoln Street.  The Lord continued to add to the Church.  After worshipping there for a few years, Carver Park was sold and the buildings were town down and the Church once again was forced to move.  This time the St. Peters Catholic Church opened up the door to us, providing the use of one of their classrooms.  The Lord continued to add to the Church.

In 1975, the Church was forced to move again, this time to 1548 Price Street in the Pittman’s Women Club building.  The Lord still added to the church such as should be saved.  The membership at this time was about 35 and at that present time, had approximately two thousand dollars in the treasure.

On December 31, 1976, Reverend S.P. Parks resigned as Pastor.  The Church leadership was left in the hands of Reverend George Smith (deceased 1991) who was the Assistant Pastor.  The Church was under his leadership for two months.

On March 1, 1977, the Church elected Reverend Sam Roberson as Pastor.  The Lord continued to add to the church such as should be saved and the membership grew.  In light of the growth of the Church and the community response, the Church began to seek permanent quarters.  God granted the Pastor and the members strength to face the awesome challenge ahead.

As the Church moved by faith, the Lord worked many miracles.  On May 24, 1978, the Church purchased property at 245 East Foster Avenue.  Our first loan came as a result of Pastor Sam Roberson and Mr. Boyd Bullock working with Mrs. Selma Bartlett at the Bank of Nevada.

With aid from Mayor James Seastrand of North Las Vegas and Robert McNutt we were able to get our plans stamped and approved by the City of Henderson and started building on December 26, 1981.  During this time the Church was forced to leave the Pittman Women Club building.  Reverend Marion D. Bennett and the Zion United Methodist Church of North Las Vegas, Nevada opened their arms and doors so we could have a place to worship.  The Lord continued to add to the church such as should be saved.

In 1985, Pastor Roberson, through the help of Mr. Charles Stevenson and the Valley Bank, was able to secure a loan of $50, 000 to complete the building.  We were able to move from Zion Methodist in July 1985 and the Lord continued to add to our numbers.

In 1989, with the assistance of Pastor Rocellia Johnson and the Bethany Baptist Church of West Los Angeles, California, we started our School of Evangelism.  We had nine persons to graduate and the Lord has continued to add to our church.  We also opened our Evangelism Office so we could do greater work.

In 1990, Dr. and Mrs. Groter met with Pastor Roberson to seek a place to have a child care school.  After many meetings with the City of Henderson and the State of Nevada, we received permission to open the COMBACH Montessori Children House.  The doors were opened in 1991.  Thanks Be to God!

In 1993, Pastor James Rogers, of the Greater New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Las Vegas, Nevada and in cooperation with Pastor R. Johnson of the Bethany Christian Bible College, we started the Gamaliel Christian Bible Training Institute.  We started with 51 students on Tuesday nights studying the Book of Acts.  Brother Edward Berry of Bethany Christian Bible College was our first instructor.  

We installed our church furnishing including pews and pulpit to beautify the sanctuary in 1995.  By holding on to the firm faith that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.  That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.’’  The ministry and membership give all praise to God for His blessings and love and kindness.  Praise to our Pastor, Reverend Sam Roberson, Sr. for our growth under his leadership and guidance.  To God Be the Glory!

A major concern of Pastor Roberson for our future is to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all areas of the community.  Pastor Roberson plans for our Church to have an outreach ministry and have access to penal institutions, educational facilities, sanitariums, hospitals, rescue missions, and various facilities to introduce God to the lost and announce that Jesus Saves.  Pastor Roberson also teaches that Christians have a spiritual obligation to act as responsible stewards of His money, time, and talent entrusted to them by God.  

Other plans of our Church are to encourage competence, self help, and economic independence to maximize our economic power in our community; to encourage a radical change in our thinking regarding self determination; and to construct a Senior Citizen’s housing complex.
On Tuesday, April 29, 2008 we had a Ground Breaking Ceremony to build Smith Williams Senior Apartments.  
 
Smith Williams Senior Apartments is a vision of Pastor Sam Roberson from the Community Baptist Church in the City of Henderson. Pastor Roberson decided several years ago that Community Baptist Church needed to be involved with the development of Affordable Senior Housing. Pastor Roberson and Tommy Miles went to the Mayor of the City of Henderson and asked if there was a need for affordable senior housing. The Mayor responded affirmatively and told Pastor Roberson they had land that the church could purchase to build senior affordable housing and a new church. Market Profiles was hired to perform the market study which identified and confirmed the need for senior housing.
Pastor Roberson decided that he needed an experienced Affordable Housing Developer and contacted CDPCN. The initial meeting resulted in a fruitful relationship and an enduring friendship. CDPCN and church representatives have been meeting with an average of 20 church members for over 16 months every Saturday morning planning this project and making sure that Pastor Roberson's vision comes to fruition. The Smith Williams Development will consist of 80 rental units configured in (2) three story buildings providing 16 1-bedroom/1-bath 943 square foot units and 64 2-bedroom/2-bath 1157 square foot units with washer and dryer hookups and either a patio or balcony. The project will contain the following amenities: a clubhouse with a weight room, library, and computer lab with high-speed Internet connection, gathering room, and laundry room and management offices. The project will have a fully landscaped exterior; have exterior lighting, barbeque areas, a swimming pool and spa.
 We can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens US!!!

To God Be the Glory!

And THE HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH goes on and on …


Sam Roberson
Pastor/Teacher