1924-1935 Under Reverend L.A. Maynor as Pastor

Rev. Maynor was a relatively short and thin man in physical stature and was described by many as a warm and spiritual preacher who taught sound doctrine.  His ministry to the original nineteen members soon reached others who came to know the Lord.  The one-room Jacobs Point School had little heat, but when the power of God was present, it seemed that fire from heaven came down to warm every trembling soul.  The congregation continued to meet at Jacobs Point until 1936 when a new school was built about 2 miles north on the site where Mt. Elim Church currently stands.  Services were held in the new school until 1941 when the church built its first facility.

1935-1965 Under Reverend Chesley Maynor as Pastor

In 1935 Mt. Elim called Rev. Chesley Maynor as pastor, the blood-brother of Rev. L.A. Maynor.  Spiritual fire that had been ignited during the early years seemed to burn with greater intensity as the new pastor stepped into leadership.  It is reported that many new converts were added to the church. It was during his leadership that the church moved out of the Jacobs Point school.  Several options were discussed with the final decision being to build the church on the same hill beside the school.  Funds were collected, material and labor donated, and construction began in 1940 on land just a few feet away from the present church sanctuary.  It was a marvelous day a few months later in 1941 when the first service was held in the new building.  Joy must have shined on the faces of those in attendance and love must have filled the hearts of those church forefathers who knelt that first day at their first altar in the new church. A few years later, Mt. Elim needed additional space for Sunday School activities (known in earlier times as a Sabbath School).  During 1961 and 1962, four new classrooms were added along with the installation of indoor restroom facilities. The church property had expanded to include approximately four acres of land.  The old bell in the church tower would sound the theme each Sunday morning to those who passed by with a message from the Lord to “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.   Let not your hearts be troubled...”

1965-1975 Under Reverend King Maynor as Pastor

One of the children who would come to church on Sundays from Robeson County with his pastor father was young King Maynor.  Only the Heavenly Father knew that this boy who listened earnestly to his father’s bold preaching would himself be called into the gospel ministry and would follow his father into Mt. Elim’s pulpit.  In 1965 Mt. Elim called  and ordained Reverend King Maynor to pastor the flock.  Well disciplined by his father to read the Word and preach it with power, Reverend Maynor led the church with courage.  One of his deep convictions was in the area of giving.  Through his leadership the church emphasized the tithing program and began to participate actively in association activities.  His own involvement encouraged church members to participate in new programs.  As a result of growth, the church again saw the need to improve its facilities. Therefore, a remodeling program initiated in 1969 was completed in 1972 and totally renovated the church facilities adding a new Fellowship Hall.  Additional land was purchased to bring the total church property to 21 acres.  The sanctuary was considered one of the most beautiful in the area.  During those years great foresight was exhibited by church leaders for future growth.  It was a vision from which the church now prospers.

1975-91 Under Reverend John David Hunt as Pastor

God’s plan was to bring an end to the Maynor leadership with the call of the Reverend David Hunt to Mt. Elim in 1975.  Reverend Hunt was the youngest pastor to take the helm. He brought with him a powerful message and a popular personality.  For sixteen years he moved the church forward and established himself deeply into the hearts of the people.  Many souls were added to the flock and more expansions to the growing church. Among the improvements and expansions were the addition of four classrooms and a restroom onto the Fellowship Hall.  Also, the recreation field across the road from the church facilities was developed along with a new cemetery named Mt. Elim Memorial Gardens.  The original one-room fellowship hall was remodeled and an outdoor cooking area (also known as the Boy Scout Hut) was added.  Walls in the wings of the sanctuary were removed for better viewing, and a beautifully designed baptistry with a skylight was completed.  Additional land purchases increased church property to 25 acres. Reverend Hunt’s ministry at Mt. Elim brought many exciting times with the Lord through His gifted preaching, praying, and singing abilities.  His was the second full time ministry of the church following that of Reverend King Maynor. 

1991 – 2011 Pastor Tony E. Brewington

Following sixteen years as Director of Missions in the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association, in November of 1991 Reverend Tony Brewington was called as the fifth Pastor of Mt. Elim. His ministry was bi-vocational with daytime responsibilities at Robeson Community College. Pastor Brewington introduced to the church a new era and fresh approach to church leadership. Gifted in organizational planning and program implementation, he has led the church to explore new and exciting areas of ministries. One of the most fruitful approaches has been emphasis upon family ministry. The church built a new educational building, amphitheater, and spacious 9,800 square feet Family Life Center; expanded seating in the sanctuary; purchased an MCI bus and mobile home for the church custodian, and extended its property to 35 acres of land. A full-time custodian carefully cares for the expanding church property. The church became incorporated in 1999 and provided day care services to the community through a lease agreement with Mt. Elim Enterprises Inc. The daycare services discontinued after a profitable ministry for 3 years. In 2005, the church voted to begin planning for construction of a new sanctuary and to divide the congregation into 12 tribes for effective ministry to the church family. Future visions include a home for senior citizens and Christian school. Above and beyond the buildings, programs, and land expansions, Mt. Elim members have experienced the joy of reaching the lost for Christ. Emphasis is upon conservative Bible interpretation and teaching. Rescuing the perishing from an approaching hell is the task of every born-again believer. Spending eternity with a Heavenly Father and a Precious Savior is our goal.

2011-2016 Pastor Christopher Webb 

Reverend Christopher Webb became the fifth and third full time Pastor for Mt. Elim Baptist Church in 2011. Prior to his assignment at Mt. Elim, Reverend Webb was the Pastor of Friendship Baptist. During Pastor Webb’s years of service, Mt. Elim Baptist Church celebrated many milestones from baptisms, to weddings, and other ministries that touched countless lives. The times of worship, prayers, and fellowship were moments of deep spiritual connection and growth, where the church experienced the transformative power of God’s love. Each sermon preached was an opportunity to witness and nurture the faith of a dedicated and compassionate congregation. Pastor Webb views his assignment at Mt. Elim Baptist Church with overwhelming gratitude that God would allow him and his family to serve such beautiful people; the lessons learned and the relationships forged remain indelible.

2016-2019 Interim Pastor Larry Locklear 

Reverend Larry Locklear spent his childhood at Mt. Elim and upon his conversion, he became a faithful member of the church. It was during his time as a member of Mt. Elim that the Lord began to call him into the ministry and he heeded to the call. He preached his first sermon at the church under Pastor David Hunt between 1976. In 1982, on the same glorious Sunday that Turnpike Baptist Church became a member of the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association, Reverend Larry Locklear was ordained as the Pastor of Turnpike Baptist Church and spent three years as their Pastor. He also served as Pastor of New Beginning Baptist Church but most of his pastoral career was spent at Island Grove Baptist where he was the Pastor for 30 years. During his retirement and transition period for Mt. Elim, Reverend Larry Locklear served as the Interim Pastor for Mt. Elim Baptist Church. 

2019-Present Pastor Chris Locklear 

Reverend Chris Locklear served under Reverend David Hunt at Mt. Hebron Holiness Church for eleven years before transitioning as Pastor of Gospel Tabernacle Baptist Church where he served for almost 10 years. In 2019, Reverend Chris Locklear became the sixth Pastor at Mt. Elim Baptist Church and soon after the church doors were closed due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. It was during this difficult time that churches had to alter the way they provided services. Pastor Chris began providing online services through Facebook Live then after a few months, the church transitioned to the parking lot. On Sunday mornings, members would park in their vehicles while the Pastor preached on the porch. During this time, many souls were saved and revived. Upon returning to the sanctuary, many have been saved, baptized and have joined the church and the children’s ministry has flourished. In 2022, Mt. Elim began a remodeling and updating process which began with the church fellowship hall, then a new roof, new doors, and new carpet. As a bi-vocational Pastor, he works during the day but ensures that he spends time studying God’s Word and providing for his flock. Pastor Chris is known for visiting his members in their time of need and his expository style of preaching focuses on changing lives through the Word of God. The church membership has increased due to the flock sharing the Word of God with the community and reaching the lost. He often states, “If we get the vertical alignment right with God, then the horizontal alignment with our brothers and sisters will take care of itself.” Pastor Chris’ greatest desire is to please God and that the church membership will adhere to John 13:34 (KJV), “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”