St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church was founded by the Reverend Jesse L. Massey on May 15, 1983. Reverend Jesse L. Massey had a vision and under the divine guidance of God, he was allowed to establish this church in East El Paso, TX. Under God’s continued guidance, Reverend. O. I. Kirk, Pastor of Unity Missionary Baptist Church sanctioned the church with the Holy Bible as our guide, along with the articles of Faith, the Church Covenant and the Baptist Creed. The church met first in the home of Reverend Jesse and Gloria Massey and thereafter met for three years at Tierra Del Sol Elementary School which is located at 1832 Tommy Aaron. The Massey Family, with the help of the Lord, is responsible for making sure that the doors of St. Peter remained open from 1983 through 1999.
Immanuel Baptist Church’s spiritual guidance, support and encouragement will always be a part of this developing church’s history. The El Paso Baptist Association and the General Baptist Convention of Texas were supportive in every aspect by giving much encouragement and spiritual guidance. Participation and the Lovely Sunset, BTU and Sunday School Congress enhanced St Peter’s spiritual growth.
In June 1986, members of St. Peter were allowed by the grace of God to move into a new church building at 3550 George Dieter. At this address, we have celebrated 39 church anniversaries. Combined with the three years at Tierra Del Sol Elementary School, St. Peter has been on the battlefield for the Lord for 39 years. Throughout these 39 years, churches in Texas, Arkansas, Louisianan and California have shared in revivals, anniversaries and services at St. Peter.
In February 1999, our beloved pastor and founder Reverend Jesse L. Massey, went to be with the Lord. In that same year, the St. Peter Church Council/Governing Board chose Elder Eugene Moore to be Interim Pastor. Elder Moore agreed and cared for the body of Christ from June 1999 through December 1999. During his pastoralship at St. Peter, he watched, fought and prayed for us continuously. He worked cooperatively with the Board along with Deacon Simon and Reverend Phil Parker who were all three adopted members of St. Peter.
Reverend Anthony Daniels was elected as Pastor of St. Peter in January 2000 and Elder Moore gave him his blessings and returned to Bethel Church of God in Christ. Reverend Daniels pastored for the next year and the church again returned to the leadership of Elder Eugene Moore. After several months, Elder Moore chose Reverend Lycurgus Johnson to lead the church. Reverend Johnson was installed as pastor on March 24, 2002. He served until his death in July 2004.
Reverend Johnson continued the vision of St. Peter by bringing new members and inspiring new members to join. Starting a praise team ministry, re-organizing the Trustee Board and seeking new means of continuing the work of our Lord. In October 2004 St. Peter elected Reverend Billy R. Williams as pastor of St. Peter. He led St. Peter for three years. Under his leadership, we launched St. Peter’s website-www.spmbc.net. We started a children’s church, and we landscaped the lawn. In 2007, Reverend Billy R. Williams resigned as the pastor of St. Peter. St. Peter was then in search for another pastor.
In 2007 the St. Peter Search Committee nominated Bishop Alexander L. Brown. Bishop Brown was elected on May 24, 2008 and remained the pastor of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church of El Paso, Incorporated. Bishop Brown and his wife Evangelist Vernice S. Brown relocated from Lacey, Washington where he was Bishop and Overseer of Faith, Love & Hope Ministry Church in Olympia, Washington. During his tenure, he has brought spiritual growth to the church and to all who have come to know him. He has continued to influence physical growth and continuously served the community of El Paso. Under Bishop Brown’s leadership, we have remodeled the Rev. J. L. Massey Dinning Hall, purchased and dedicated new robes for the choir, implemented a “get to know your fellowship.” This occurred immediately following the Sunday Worship Service. Bishop Brown also implemented a “Spiritual movie night” which occurred on the fourth Friday night of each month. It was instrumental in the internal and external remodeling of the church. Bishop Brown resigned from St. Peter and moved back to his home state of Washington, where there he was offered a great job opportunity. Bishop Brown will forever be in the hearts of St. Peter members, and they wish him well. Bishop Brown’s last official day was Sunday August 30, 2020.
St. Peter was in need of another spiritual leader. On September 2, 2020, Pastor Anson Jordan answered St. Peters call, in which he was appointed the Interim Pastor. Pastor Anson Jordan was notified that he had been selected by the committee on April 19, 2021, and officially signed the contract on April 25, 2021, and accepting his calling to become the Pastor of St. Peter Missionary Baptist church. On April 10, 2022, Pastor Jordan announced his resignation as the Pastor of St. Peter. Pastor Jordan had accepted his calling to pastor Community Baptist Church.
On April 13, 2022, the St. Peter church body elected to have Pastor Timothy Jones pastor St. Peter as the Interim Pastor. Pastor Jones accepted the offer with such gladness and praise. On July 23, 2022, Pastor Jones accepted his permanent position as the Pastor of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church.
On March 15, 2026 Pastor and first Lady Jones announced their resignation from SPMBC. Their last day serving SPMBC was March 29, 2026. SPMBC wished Pastor and First lady Jones all the best on their next calling on serving the Lord.
On April 1, 2026, Pastor Shelton Kelley accepted his role and started serving full time as the Pastor of St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Shelton Kelley is a servant of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father of two, and an Army Veteran. He gave his life to Christ in 2010, and by God’s grace has sought to walk in repentance, faith, and obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. In 2012, he was trained under the deacons at Mount Zion in Hinesville, Georgia, where he completed evangelist training and served in youth ministry, later continuing in service at Real Touch Ministries in El Paso, Texas from 2015 to 2017 as a deacon and youth minister. He was ordained as a minister at St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church in April 2025, affirming the Lord’s calling on his life to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
His desire is not to be seen, but for Christ to be exalted in all things, proclaiming that salvation is found in Him alone, as he presses forward according to Philippians 3:13, seeking to be found faithful.
Finally, we thank God for the love, vision and leadership of the late Reverend J. L. Massey, the guidance and leadership of Elder Eugene Moore, the leadership of the late Reverend, Lycurgus Johnson, the pastoralship of Reverend Billy R. Williams, the leadership of Bishop Alexander L. Brown and the Leadership of Pastor Anson Jordan and the Leadership of Pastor L. Jones and now the Leadership of Pastor Shelton Kelley.