History of Metropolitan Church
In 1938, just before World War II there was a separation of membership of Canaan Baptist Church. Dr. Ballou along with a group of members left Canaan and later met for organizing another church. This Church was organized on April 12,1938 and was named Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle by Mr. Herman Strong. Rev.T.L. Ballou was called as the first pastor of Metropolitan and served from 1938 until 1945 when his health failed and retired. He passed away on June 17,1946. In 1939 Metropolitan purchased its first building, formerly an old pressing shop operated at 3939 Industrial Ave. The mortgage was burned in 1943. Rev. E.J. Timmons, who served as the Associate Minister during 1945, was elected as Pastor, January 6,1946. His church motto was, “Enter to Worship, Depart to Serve”.
September 18, 1949 ground was broken for a new church and the mortgage was burned February 19, 1956. The church was incorporated in 1950. In September of 1955, Rev. Timmons became ill and retired from the church in 1956. He passed away in 1957. In the lower level the E.J. Timmons Fellowship Hall was named in his memory.
Rev. Sidney D. Edwards became Pastor in May, 1957. The church purchased two houses across the street and one became the Parsonage. In 1964, Rev. A.J. Pointer was invited to serve as Administrative Assistant. Rev. Edwards offered his resignation February 12, 1967. It was accepted by the church on February 22, 1967.
Rev. Sidney D. Edwards became Pastor in May, 1957. The church purchased two houses across the street and one became the Parsonage. In 1964, Rev. A.J. Pointer was invited to serve as Administrative Assistant. Rev. Edwards offered his resignation February 12, 1967. It was accepted by the church on February 22, 1967.
Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle called Reverend Pointer as Pastor on April 19, 1967 and he accepted the call May 1, 1967. He came with the desire to make Metropolitan and Flint a better religious community. Pastor Pointer held positions in the State and National conventions, Moderator of the Great Lakes Baptist District Association, served on the OIC Board, and as President of the Wolverine State Baptist Convention of Michigan to name a few. His church motto,”The Church for Everybody Serving the God for Everybody.” Pastor Pointer served until he went to be the Lord on April 23, 2008. The Family Life Center has been named the Rev. Dr. A.J. Pointer Family Life Center.
After two years of praying for a Pastor who was a man of God, Carlos D. Williams accepted the call as the fifth Pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Tabernacle on the first Sunday in August, 2010. At that time, he came with fire in his heart and soul to do God’s work. His vision updated to the 21st Century Church. His motto was, “Moving, Marking and Maturing.” Pastor Williams submitted his resignation in August of 2013 and it was accepted by the church.
Metropolitan was without a shepherd. The leadership and members took on the role of seeking the Lord’s guidance in acquiring a Shepherd. After much prayer, dedication and hard work, our sixth Pastor was called in the form of Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller II from North Carolina. Dr. Miller II accepted the call on the last Sunday in August 2015. He came with a passion for the Lord and His people. And his mission for the church was to nourish the whole person, in body, mind, and
spirit. Under his leadership, Metropolitan has taken on the role of helping and serving the community in the present day Flint water crisis. In March 2020 a global pandemic occurred, and by the grace of God, our church stood strong for 2+ years. During that time, the church followed the vision of Dr. Miller and renovated our sanctuary. These renovations included newer ventilation systems, and handicap accessible rows in our sanctuary. Pew upholstery, new carpet, new stage lighting, and our pulpit area was widened and re-designed for more space. Also, an A/V booth was built. On Sunday, January 30, 2022, Dr. Miller preached his final sermon as Pastor of Metropolitan. The church accepted his resignation,and he relocated back to his home state of North Carolina.
Metropolitan, once again, went into diligent and immediate prayer, as our Pastoral search began. The Lord moved on our behalf, and on June 21, 2022, the Reverend Stephen Louis Murphy Sr. of Southfield Michigan, was called to become Metropolitan ‘s seventh and youngest Pastor. Pastor Murphy began his assignment on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Experiencing and envisioning the culture of family within our church, Pastor Murphy immediately began to organize and restructure ministries to serve families and cater to the multiple generations within our church. His motto is, “Metropolitan, we’re more than a church, we are family.” In a post pandemic society, Pastor Murphy’s preaching/teaching reaches all generations to the glory of God, and we are blessed by his spiritual leadership, attentiveness and obedience to the Holy Ghost.
Pastoral History
Rev. Thomas L. Ballou
Rev. E.J. Timmons
Rev. Sidney D. Edwards
Rev. Dr. A.J. Pointer
Rev. Dr. Carlos D. Williams
Rev. Dr. Herbert Miller II
Rev. Stephen L. Murphy Sr.
Celebrating 85 Years!
As we celebrate, 85 years of ministry, we cannot wait to see what God has in store for our
future! To God be the glory!
Morning Worship on Sundays at 10:45 a.m.
Sunday School 9:30 AM
Wednesday Service:
Bible Study 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Our Weekly Schedule
Sunday Service
Sunday School 9:30 AM | Morning Worship 10:45 AM
Wednesday Service
Bible Study 11:00 AM & 7:00 PM
Food & Clothing Bank
Tuesday 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM (Closed until January)
Listen on WFLT 1420 AM
Sundays 2:00 PM – 3:00PM
Watch Us on Comcast (Flint) Channel 17
Tuesday at 5:00 PM