About Us
WELCOME TO EAST MOUNTAIN BAPTIST CHURCH!
East Mountain Baptist Church has a rich and storied history dating back to 1911. Over the years, our journey as a church community has shaped us into a family of faith that gathers to encourage one another and grow in the love of Christ. With a deep concern for our surrounding community and its needs, we strive to be a church that reaches out to meet those needs in practical and meaningful ways.
We gather regularly to adore our Lord through worship, study, and fellowship. Focused on the spiritual growth of our church family, we are committed to helping each individual grow in their faith and live out God’s Word in every area of life. Our mission is to glorify God by fulfilling His will for His people, and we do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, who equips us to serve and live as His disciples.
We believe the Bible is God’s inspired and inerrant Word, and it is the foundation for everything we do (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). We understand that all people are created in God’s image, but through sin, we are separated from Him and in need of salvation. Jesus Christ, through His death and resurrection, is the way for us to be reconciled to God (Genesis 1:26-27; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
As a body of believers, we gather for worship, service, and fellowship, practicing baptism as an outward sign of our internal decision in faith of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19) and observing the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of His sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We are passionate about sharing the gospel and making disciples, reaching out to our community and the world with the love of Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Looking to the future, we continue to focus on the importance of the family as designed by God, with each member fulfilling their biblical roles in marriage and parenting (Genesis 2:18-24; Ephesians 5:22-33). We also value working alongside other believers to fulfill the Great Commission, bringing glory to God in all that we do (Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 3:9).
As we reflect on our rich heritage and look ahead, we are committed to bringing glory to God in all we do.
We sincerely hope you will join us!
For more information about our beliefs, you can see the 2000 baptist faith and message below:
Church History Timeline
September 16, 1911: Twenty-three individuals gathered to establish East Mountain Missionary Baptist Church. The founding service included Scripture reading, prayer, and the right hand of fellowship, officially organizing the church and calling Rev. Roark as its first pastor.
1925: The first church building was destroyed by fire. The congregation rebuilt using volunteer labor, and baptisms were held in Charlie Shelton’s pond during this time.
1934: A new brick church building was constructed, and the church formally joined the Southern Baptist Convention.
1945: Sunday School enrollment reached 178 members.
1950–1953: Under the leadership of Rev. Bill Blankenship, the church experienced growth, and a new parsonage was built in 1951.
1953–1958: Rev. Royce Blackmon served as pastor. During his tenure, the church joined the Gregg County Baptist Association.
1958–1965: Rev. Billy Baggett led the construction of a new educational building in 1959.
1965–1984: Rev. Aubrey Pate’s pastorate included significant expansion, including the hiring of the church’s first full-time music and youth minister, remodeling of the auditorium in 1966, the launch of a Bus Ministry in 1973, and the construction of a new sanctuary in 1980.
1985–1991: Rev. Dick Lindsay served as pastor.
1992–1999: Rev. John Harp served as pastor.
2000–2006: Rev. Raymond Tenpenny led the church during a period of growth and improvement. EMBC purchased the corner property where the East Mountain Grocery Store once stood, creating additional parking, and constructed new classrooms above the church offices.
2007–2011: Rev. Wes Sherman served as pastor. The church celebrated its 100th anniversary with a Centennial Celebration in 2011.
2012–2020: Rev. Tim Smith emphasized new outreach initiatives and strengthened community involvement. A youth building addition was added to the gym in 2016, and the church offices were remodeled and updated.
2022–Present: Rev. Randy Graham continues to lead the church, fostering spiritual growth and revival. In 2025, the sanctuary and foyer were remodeled.
East Mountain Baptist Church continues its legacy of faith, service, and growth, remaining committed to spreading the Gospel and serving the community.
