Anderson Gift Baptist Church History (Update-Jan/2023)
Anderson Gift Baptist Church was organized in 1920 by a group of baptized believers led by Deacon Dave and Deacon Joe Griffin. A meeting was held in a farmhouse, owned by a white man named Robert Anderson. After the church was organized, he gave the house to them. In appreciation, they named the Church, Anderson Gift Baptist Church. Meetings w
ere held there for many years. The house was also used for a schoolhouse. It was known as “across the branch”. The church was built at this location in 1949 on land donated by Rev. He and the deacons built the church. Richardson preached the first sermon. Some of the deacons that served were: Deacon Jim Lee, Deacon Marshall, Horace Collier, Charlie Anderson, Elisha Riley, and Joe Griffin who was the chairman of the Deacon Board. Survilla Griffin, Ella Collier, and Augusta Anderson served as clerk. Sister Mattie Jordan was the Sunday School Teacher and Mission President. In 1950 the church called Rev. R. B. Brooks of Warner Robins. Under his leadership, three deacons were ordained. They were Joe Fred Hunlen, James Griffin, and Jesse Williams. In 1956 Rev. Lucas of Macon was elected. Elisha Riley was elected as chairman of the deacon board. The choir stand was built. The choir was organized with Mrs. Gertrude Williams as musician and Jesse Williams, president. In 1961 Rev. Nehemiah Collins of Warner Robins served. Under his leadership Andrew (Sonny) McGriff was ordained as a deacon. A gas heater replaced the coal-burning heater. Eleven members were baptized. In 1968 Rev. Kenneth Collier of Hawkinsville was elected. He ordained three deacons. They were: Moses Hunlen, Charles Jackson, and Lee Solomon. He served until his death in 1975. In 1975 Rev. James Lewis of Vienna, Georgia was elected Pastor. Under his leadership, the choir was reorganized with Hazel “Shirley” Morris as musician. The church took on a new spirit. Many joined by baptism or Christian experience. The church progressed with his guidance. He started the building fund drive. He served five years. In 1980 Rev. J. T. Hill of Vienna, Georgia was elected as pastor. The church continued to grow. Under his leadership, there were fifteen candidates baptized and three came by Christian experience. On May 1, 1987, Rev. Hill broke the ground for the construction of the new church and he was the contractor. He ordained two deacons: Willie Edward Hunlen and Milton Moses. In 1989 Rev. Doyle Lane Jr. of Perry, Georgia was elected as the pastor. Dedication services for the new church were held on May 6, 1990. Approximately 116 attended the service. Under his leadership, he ordained deacons and baptized several members. He served 14 years. Joshua Hunlen was ordained deacon in 2004 by Rev. James Hunlen. D. C. Bell of Fort Valley, Georgia was elected in July 2004 and preached his first sermon as pastor on the first Sunday in August 2004. Under his leadership, he began a bible study every Tuesday night, organized a Youth In Action, reorganized the Mission, and began 8:00 services on Second and Fourth Sunday. He served for two and a half years. Willie Arthur Johnson from Macon Georgia was elected in March 2007. His first sermon as pastor elect was on April 1, 2007. His installation service was on May 20, 2007. Under his leadership, we continued worship service every Sunday at 11:00 A.M excluding fifth Sunday. In 2012, Rev. Johnson licensed First Lady Priscilla Johnson and Fae Hunlen as evangelists. He also licensed Lueverda Hunlen Brown as an evangelist. Under his leadership, he baptized a few members, and others joined by Christian experience. Johnson served for 8 years. In the fall of 2012, Anderson Gift Baptist Church joined the Georgia Union Baptist Association (GUMBA). In April 2015, the church returned to church services on two Sundays, 1st and 3rd Sunday for various reasons. In September 2016, Rev. Bobby J. Player of Fitzgerald Georgia was installed as the pastor. His wife Sister Caroyn Player became 1st Lady of Anderson Gift. Under his leadership, many were baptized, and several were joined by Christian experience. He organized a youth empowerment ministry, reorganize the Church's Facebook Web Page, established a media production ministry, and in collaboration with the University of Georgia, the IMA & GUMBA grant program established a community healthcare education & outreach. In December 2022, a multi-screen, high-tech, video monitor system was installed in the Church. Anderson Gift Baptist Church believes in the explicit commandment of Jesus Christ. He commands, all believers, to go forth into the world to spread the Gospel. The message is a message of Discipleship. Thus, Anderson Gift Baptist Church adopts, “A Vision of Discipleship: Preaching, Teaching & Reaching ~ Souls for Christ! The Ministerial Staff: Rev. James Hunlen – Assistant Pastor. Elder Larry Rhodes – Associate Pastor, Evangelist Faye Hunlen – Superintendent S.S., Evangelist Lueverda Brown – Youth Director, Other Associate Ministers are Evangelist Susie Rhodes – Associate Minister, Evangelist Felicia Fulton. The Deacons are: Willie E. Hunlen, Chairman, Joe F. Hunlen Jr., Zeddie Collins, and Joshua Hunlen, Assistant Chairman. The Trustees are: Joshua Hunlen Chairmen, Doris Harden-Barron, Financial Secretary, Nathaniel Hunlen, Trustee, Rhonda Hunlen, Trustee. Deaconesses are: Glenda Collins, Jessie M. Hunlen Flora Griffin, Mildred Hunlen, Bernice Harden, Pearlie Hunlen, Fae Hunlen, & Doris Barton
Other Officers are: Sis. Bernice Harden, Mother of the Church, Rhonda Barnett, Mission Board; Mary Hunlen, Announcement Clerk, Sis. Vernice Curry Church Custodian. Secretary/Church (To Be Announced), Evangelist Fae Hunlen Superintendent of Sunday School, Ruthie King, President of the Usher Board; Evangelist Lueverda Brown, President of the Choir,
Musicians are: Michael Henry, piano, keyboards, Marcus Hunlen, Drummer, Willie E. Hunlen, Bass Guitar
