Our History

 

Baptist work began in Nigeria in 1850 with the arrival of Rev. Thomas Jefferson Bowen in Badagry.  This work grew rapidly in the west and later reached Buguma, present day Rivers State in 1893.  In 1914 Baptist work started in Port Harcourt city through Rev. & Mrs. M. Brantly.  The first six churches were First Baptist Church 93 Aggrey, Central Baptist Church Diobu, Faith Baptist Church Diobu, Emmanuel Baptist Church Diobu, Victory Baptist Church Rumumasi and Calvary Baptist Church Borokri.

 

The Youths of these churches came together as Port Harcourt Baptist Youth council in partnership with 1st Baptist Church (now Faith Baptist Church) under the visionary leadership of Rev. G.O. Isaiah to hold a crusade which culminated in planting a church in Mgbosimini.  This church started in an open hall in late Chief Josiah Echem’s compound.  It later moved to a leased portion on this present site in a make shift structure with iron sheet nicknamed “fowl house” by neighbours.   Four persons started worshipping in this structure: Bro (Now Rev) Suku Ngiangia (the church leader) Sis. Eshiet Ester and two other children.

 

The church from inception experienced a chequered history of pastoral leadership.  The following were it leaders: Bro. T.S. Briggs (now Dn.),  Bro. (Now Rev.) S.B. Ngiangia, Pastor (Now Rev.) Moses Alozie, Bro. (Now Rev.) Jim Odoi Ogadimma, Pastor (Now Rev.) Wisdom Asita,

Bro. (Now Rev.) S.B. Ngiangia when the church foundation was laid, Pastor (now Rev.) Anokwuru in whose time the church was organized.  Other leaders were  Dn. H.U.A. Ozuru, Dn. G.A. Apapa, Rev. Emuka, Bro. (now Bishop) Anga Nyanabo.  

 

The present Pastor, Rev. T.O.A. Adeleke first came in as a vacation Pastor in 1997, while Dn. G.A. Apapa was the church leader.  He resumed fully as the church pastor after his graduation in June 1998.  Under Revd. T.O.A. Adeleke’s  leadership, this mustard seed church is gradually being built by God to become a mighty tree to God’s glory.

The humility, focus and creative leadership of Revd. T.O.A. Adeleke has made room for other pastors to join him, exemplifying multi-staff ministry.  These pastors are Rev. David Oluwajuyigbe, Rev. Joel Dare, Rev. M. Auda, Rev. Tammy Siloko, Rev. Peter Adeola, Pastor Fred Jamabo, Pastor Blessed Akpojisheri, Pastor Ibiosiya D. Amachree, Rev. O.T. Onifade and Pastor Peter Wilcox.  Rev. Dare and Rev. Auda have since left for other kingdom assignments.

 

The church so far has planted forty churches and adopted two.  Out of which, six churches have been organized with three more churches planned for organization before the end of the year.   Of these, forty two churches, 27 are in Rivers State, 3 in Bayelsa, 1 in Delta, 1 in Abuja, 1 in Bauchi State, 5 in Nassarawa State, 3 in Imo State and 1 in Akwa Ibom State.  It is worth mentioning that Bethel B.C. Elihohani & First Baptist Church Ihiagwa partnered with us in the planting of New Height Baptist Church Rumukrushi & Kingdom Life Baptist Church Ihiagwa respectively.

 

Newlife Baptist Church Mgbuoshimini presently has an average membership of over 500 with a nursery, primary and secondary school, a bookshop and various other investments at teething stages.