An Overview of Macedonia Baptist Church and our Pastor

Macedonia Baptist Church of Lakewood, New Jersey has enjoyed a progress that has grown through faith, prayer, dedication and determination since 1905. The Church has owned several properties at 138 John Street, 139 John Street, and 142 John Street.

In 1905 a group of Christian believers set out to establish a church home in this community, which was the Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend M. F. Matthews, who was the first pastor. This group of courageous and dedicated people, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, organized the church for the purpose of worshiping God and uniting the Body of Christ. Macedonia still stands, in spite of storms external and internal, proving the word of Jesus, in Matthew 16:18 “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” Rev. Matthews served for ten years and his successor was Rev. J. W. Griffin, who served until 1921. His successor was Rev. Luck, who was then followed by the late Rev. Albert Turner, who served until 1923. In the spring of 1923, the Rev. Calvin S. Marshall was called to pastor Macedonia and he was a dedicated leader for 15 years.  He resigned December of 1937. n 1938, a former pastor, the Rev. J W Griffin, was recalled.  Under his leadership, the membership increased greatly.  Rev. Griffin remained a patient and gentle leader until his death in 1958. After his demise, several ministers served. Such as Reverend Troy Mills, Reverend John Goodrum, Jr. and in May 1966, the late Rev. Dr. Albert C. Clayton was called to Macedonia Baptist Church.

Under Rev. Clayton’s leadership Macedonia prospered greatly. Another great undertaking, under the leadership of Pastor Clayton, was the Macedonia Housing and Development Corporation. This corporation was formed to develop the area around Macedonia Baptist Church. The first project was the 50-unit senior citizen building across the street, called the Rev. D. Albert C. Clayton Senior Residence.

After Rev. Clayton’s untimely death, Macedonia Baptist Church of Lakewood NJ called Rev. Dr. Edward D. Harper, who was installed as our pastor and leader on March 1st, 2000. Under Dr. Harper’s leadership Macedonia is growing in leaps and bounds. The Bible Study program has tripled and membership is increasing. A Liturgical Dance group and a Rites of Passage group for young men has been formed. The Yoke ministry, wherein new members are teamed up with current members and an Evangelism ministry are some of the newer outreach ministries that Dr. Harper has introduced into Macedonia.

Macedonia Baptist Church of Lakewood still has the Voices of Macedonia to render songs of praise, under the musical direction of Brother Isaac Mayes and Sister Karen Moreland.  Macedonia is eternally grateful to these talented and dedicated servants of the Lord.

For more information about the church’s history visit: http://macedoniabaptist-lakewood.org/history/

About our Pastor

Dr. Harper has been with our church since 2000. He is also the founder of the Macedonia Family Life Community Complex, Inc. This is a 501 C-3 non-profit corporation that has been organized in the Fall of the year 2001 and designed to provide life enrichment skills for individuals and families.

• youth programs designed to promote the holistic development of youth;
• technical training for the development of individuals and families;
• means, opportunities and training for individuals that will enable them to develop marketable skills; and
• the development of good family life skills that will enable families to remain together and grow holistically.

Dr.  Harper instituted the Mission Statement which states Macedonia Baptist Church is a caring and compassionate body committed to the greatest Commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ to the church.  Dr. Harper instituted a biblical motto that has been inspired by I Corinthians 2:9 which states, “Eyes have not seen, ears, have not heard, nor minds have conceived what God has prepared for those who love the Lord.”  This biblical motto has inspired Dr. Harper to lead the Church to higher grounds both spiritually and physically!  The Bible Study Ministry has tripled and the membership is increasing.  Dr. Harper has implemented many new ministries at Macedonia,

In 2004 Dr. Harper was awarded “Pastor of the Year,” and awarded the “Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award and listed on “Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who in the World.” Dr. Harper & our First Lady continue to serve the membership and the community with their heart and their endeavors.

Our pastor has served from 2006-2010 as Seacoast Missionary Baptist Association Moderator. He also serves as Chaplain for the Lakewood Police Department, Lakewood, NJ and Assistant General Secretary of the General Baptist State Convention in New Jersey.  He is the former Director of Christian Education of the General Baptist Convention of New Jersey.

Dr. Harper strongly believes in education which prepares you for life. Dr. Harper earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in marketing at the University of Detroit; also he earned his Master of Arts degree in Guidance and Counseling. His Master of Divinity was earned at Princeton Theological Seminary. He further earned both Masters of Arts and his Doctorate with a concentration in Adult and High Education at Columbia University, New York City.

Dr. Harper has traveled to many countries in his missionary capacity to areas such as Senegal; Havana Cuba; Jerusalem; Guyana, South America; Jamaica, West Indies; and South Africa. Our pastor traveled to Haiti to give aid and support to those who are suffering.  We as members also continue to donate financially to Haiti and Katina Victims in New Orleans.  Dr. Harper believes that were the need is the deepest, the situation the most immediate, and the pain the sharpest is precisely an opportunity for him to reach out and touch!

Lastly, Dr. Harper believes in, “The Multi-Cultural Church Where Everybody is Somebody” Galatians 3:28-29

Evangelize: Praise & Pray to God

Evangelize: Praise & Give Back 10% to God

Evangelize: Praise & Respond with Amen to the World

Evangelize: Praise & Witness for the Lord

For more information about Pastor Harper visit: http://macedoniabaptist-lakewood.org/our-pastor/

 _____________________________________________

We, the membership, are so grateful, proud and pleased to have Dr. Harper as our pastor over these twenty-five years as teacher and spiritual leader, as well as our dedicated and beautiful First Lady. We have spiritually grown and are motivated to learn more about the Lord; to love our neighbors, to educate our children, to praise God, to strive to be faithful to God and to move Macedonia forward. 

In the words of our pastor, “It is through faith that we move forward with the vision of a bright and evangelistic future.” We will continue to move spiritually with faith because we are doing so with the same authority of Jesus that was communicated to the disciples over two thousand years ago.

Thank you, Dr. Harper, and May God Bless you and Sister Harper, we look forward to you being our pastor for many years to come. 

-Macedonia Baptist Church of Lakewood