The History of Rawls Church

Rawls Schoolhouse and Early Sunday School (1869–1908)

In 1869 Henry Rawls (my grandfather) donated the land on which a school house known as “Rawls School House” was built. In 1898 the Raleigh and Cape Fear Railroad was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly and by December of that year its terminus had reach Fuquay Springs. As the line continued to extend, it passed through the heart of the Rawls community reaching Lillington in 1903. A tiny depot known as the “Rawls Depot” was built along the line and named for the school nearby. When a larger school was needed, it was built on the present site of the Rawls Church building.

Rawls School House built in 1907-08 located where Rawls Church is now. The first Sunday School was organized and met in this building according to the document to the left.

Growth During the Great Depression

Gerald Motley and Otha Hilliard were ordained as ministers that year. A new church building was started on the site of the present church building. The building was not completed for several years and was really a huge undertaking during the depression years. Services were first held in the new structure in 1932. The land for the cemetery was bought in 1932, also. Mr. Ashley took a leave of absence in 1934 to go to the Holy Land but continued to serve as pastor until September 1934.

Ministry and Leadership Transitions (1934–1945)

Rev. Otha Hilliard served as the pastor for a few months. Rev. C. H. Upchurch was called as pastor in late 1934 and served until November 1939. Rev. C. H. Norris was called and served one year. The church building was completed at this time.

Rev. M. L. Hux was called in 1940 and led the congregation to adopt a new policy. Instead of calling pastors every year, the pastor’s term was indefinite as it remains today. Rev. Hux served until September 1945.

Post-War Expansion (1946–1950s)

Rev. T. H. Williams was called September 22, 1946 and the unified budget plan was adopted while he served. Rev. I. K. Stafford came as the pastor in 1949 and stayed until September 23, 1951.

Rev. Zeb V. Moss accepted the call as pastor in December 1951. During his stay the church adopted the retirement plan for ministers, “Relief and Annuity”.

In 1955, the building committee presented a plan for adding additional Sunday School rooms and two rest rooms to the present building. This work was done. Zeb Moss and Evelyn Krause were married while he was pastor of the church. Rev. Moss and family left in 1955 and served as missionaries in Africa until they retired

Rev. Eugene Williams became the pastor in June 1955. In 1957, a choir loft was added to the sanctuary and the R. F. Jones family presented an organ to the church.

Full-Time Ministry and Parsonage Plans (1959–1963)

In 1959, a committee was appointed to survey the community with regard to building a parsonage. A lot was secured from T. H. Gardner and the house plans were drawn up.

Rev. Julian Motley was called as pastor in 1959 and stayed until 1963. He was the first pastor to live in the parsonage. While he was pastor, a nursery was equipped. He started the church use of the budget envelopes and also set up the rotating deacon plan. Following Rev. Motley, Rev. Kermit Mathis served as pastor for less than a year.

Major Building Upgrades and Additions (1964–1966)

Rev. Charles E. Stevens became the pastor in September 1964. In October 1964, the church voted to brick veneer the church building and to install stained glass windows. A committee worked for six months revising the constitution and this was adopted in 1965.

The church elected and ordained the first woman deacon, Retha Gardner, October 10, 1965. Our pastor was married to Sara Sellers during 1965. In December of 1965, an intercom system was recommended and installed in 1966. The year 1966 marked another milestone and full-time preaching services each Sunday morning.

Expanding Programs and Community Outreach (1967–1978)

In 1967, the church voted to accept the Church Audiovisual Education Plan, CAVE. New light fixtures were installed in 1967. That year the church decided to participate in the plan to print a Church Directory, having pictures taken of each family group and putting them in a directory along with names and addresses. The church sanctuary was carpeted in 1967: choir robes were purchased in 1968. Rev.Stevens took a tour of the Holy Land leaving in December 1967, but he remained the pastor until 1968. October 1968, Larry Rhodes was elected and ordained.

Rev. Julian Motley was called as pastor in 1959 and stayed until 1963. He was the first pastor to live in the parsonage. While he was pastor, a nursery was equipped. He started the church use of the budget envelopes and also set up the rotating deacon plan. Following Rev. Motley, Rev. Kermit Mathis served as pastor for less than a year.

In 1971, the annual revival was held with several coming into the church. In October, an ordination service was held for Mr. “Pete” Washington who became a deacon. Mr. Tom Welch was hired as the first Music Director. Mr. and Mrs. Clark were elected messengers from the church to the Baptist State Convention held in Charlotte, NC. In 1972, the annual revival was held with several being baptized. Chalybeate Springs Church was most gracious to our church, letting us use their baptismal facilities for a number of years. Sunday night services were begun in September and the summer youth program organized to remain a permanent part of the church program. Member Henry Rawls was elected moderator of the Little River Association and served for two years in this position.

In 1973, the annual revival was held in May. In November, the Brantley Sutton family presented a set of chimes to the church in memory of her father and in honor of her mother.

In 1974, the revival was held in April. Sherrill Goss was ordained as a deacon in September. The sanctuary was painted and ceiling installed. Ricky Mason was hired as Music Director and Jennifer Hester as pianist.

In 1975, revival was again held in April. The roof was shingled. Mrs. Jim Commander hired as Church Musician, and the Training Union Program started.

In 1976, revival continued in April, with Mr. Marion Terry the visiting minister and Mr. Boyd Spence the Music Director. There were no additions to the church.

In the April 1977 revival, Mr. Roy Smith was guest minister. One addition came into the church. New carpeting was laid in December.

During the 1978 revival in March, with Mims Fanning as guest minister, three additions were made to the church.

On July 30, 1978, Rev. R. L. Clark resigned as pastor after having served nearly ten years, longer than any previous pastor.

Rev. Ronnie Pearce of Zebulon supplied for one month and then was called as interim pastor and served through December of 1978.

For January 1979, available persons from the seminary were used to lead the worship until Mr. Robert Coats was called to serve as interim in February. Mr. Coats brought the messages for the April revival and Mr. Joe Stephenson led the singing. On April 15, Stephen Michael Buffkin was called as pastor. Rawls was Mr. Buffkin’s first pastorate. Several things were done to the parsonage in anticipation of his residence. Drapery and shutters were hung at the windows, the hard wood floors were refinished, and a new well was dug.

Renovations and Ministry Growth (1980–1984)

Wayne Ellis preached the annual revival for 1980 with two additions to the church. The church sanctuary and outside woodwork were painted, and a handicapped ramp installed. Rev. Buffkin resigned as pastor in July, leaving August 24. At the October homecoming there were 204 members and the church had experienced 20 deaths during the past decade.

Following Mr. Buffkin, David Watson served as interim before Ronnie Pearce, who had earlier been an interim pastor, was called as pastor in 1981. The church participated in the World Hunger Program, installed a water fountain, renovated the parsonage, and placed flood lights on the back corners of the church building. September 27, 1981 was designated “Beatrice Rawls Day” honoring Miss Rawls who had served as church clerk for fifty years. In appreciation, she was presented a silver tray and a Bible. Barbara Gunter was appointed church clerk in April 1982. Air conditioning was installed in the education wing, the church grounds underwent beautification, the constitution was revised, carpet was laid in the nursery and upstairs hall, the bathrooms were tiled. In 1983, the sanctuary pews were refinished and padded seats and backs added. The congregation increased the insurance on the church and parsonage, bought a typewriter and calculator, and organized a tape ministry for shut-ins. Ms. Arlean Miller was called as church musician.

When Rev. Pearce left in 1983 following almost three years as pastor, the deacons were instructed to work out guidelines for future pastors and the church voted to present a Bible to every new member. On March 11, 1984, a brass urn was presented to the church in member of Bennett and Cora Cotten by their children.

Leadership and Staffing Changes (1985–1990)

Dr. James F. Heaton served as interim until the church called Wayne Schlink in 1985. The J. Floyd Sherman family gave funds for a baptistery as a memorial to Mr. Sherman in 1985, and Troi Fuquay became the first to be baptized therein. Kenneth and Evelyn Bradley honored their parents, Rex and Sally Muriel Bradley and Ralph and Hazel Pleasant, with the presentation of a painting for the new baptistery which as dedicated July 28, 1985.

.

The church voted to provide health insurance for the pastor and his family and to begin discipleship classes. The WMU celebrated one hundred years of missionary work. Parsonage improvements included concrete flooring in the carport, and the installation of aluminum siding over all woodwork. A personnel committee was organized consisting of the following: Chairman and Vice Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Director, WMU Director, and a member appointed by the Deacon Board. In 1986, storm windows, new heating and air conditioning, mini blinds for the educational rooms, and a church van were purchased. The membership adopted job descriptions for all salaried church workers in 1986 and voted to replace monthly business meetings with quarterly ones in 1987. Bryant Hudson became Music Director; Barbara Gunter resigned and was replaced by Karen Mangum as church clerk. Finally, plans were made for the Seventy-fifth Anniversary Celebration.

In July of 1989, the church voted to extend a concrete sidewalk from the front to the back door of the church. In October 1989, the membership voted to prepare a second church directory and work began in December. AT the end of December, Wayne Schlink resigned to become pastor of Union Chapel Baptist Church in Zebulon.

Fellowship Hall and Building Additions (1990s–2005)

In February, a recommendation was made to sell the church van and in March the Building and Grounds Committee recommended that the parsonage be renovated. In March 1990, Robert Coats was again called to become the interim pastor, serving through October.

In anticipation of new pastor Kevin Hopkins, the church erected a chain link fence at the parsonage and spent a total of $10,453.30 on house renovations. Plans for homecoming that year included having Rev. Zeb Moss return as guest minister for the 77th Anniversary observance. The church membership was 145 with approximately 120 active. Rev. Hopkins came as Pastor on October 14, the day of Homecoming.

Music Director, Ray Merrill, resigned March, 1991 and died in May. David Marrow served as music director from April, 1991 until July 1992. Jodee Welch came in June as pianist and assumed the position of choir director in August.

The church began participation in the North Harnett Food Pantry and purchased a policy of health insurance coverage for the pastor’s family. New choir robes were acquired, exit signs installed and a fire extinguisher purchased. An official letter of protest was authorized against the actions of the Pullen Memorial Church and Olan F. Binkley Memorial Church for their recognition of gay unions. The Youth Program, revived under the Morrows, continued. John Moody was acquired as pianist in October 1993, replacing Welch.

The church was re-shingled in 1994 and liability insurance of one million authorized. The church voted to participate in the Little River Association’s Belarussian Children’s Ministry in the spring of 1995. Jane and Jerry Bradley served as hosts to Tania, the first child coming from Chernobyl disaster area to Rawls.

Rev. Hopkins’ pastorate ended with his resignation in March, 1997 and the church had Dr. Robert Newton as interim until his son, Robert Lee Newton, Jr. was called in March 1998. The parsonage was refurbished and a new heating and air conditioning system for the sanctuary was installed in October, 1999. Jeff Morris was hired as Youth Director on November 21, 1999. Harnett County was given a temporary easement of ten additional feet for use by the equipment installing the county water system.

The church continued participation in the Belarussian Children’s Ministry, enjoying the interpreters hosted by Shirley and Ernest Simmons. Alena Afitserova came for two summers, followed by Tanya Trefanova. Alena spent the school year 1999-2000 with the Simmons, accepted Christ and was baptized February 27, 2000, and admitted to membership. In January, 2000 a policy, “Guidelines on the use of Rawls Church for Weddings and Marriages,” was authorized.

On March 16, 2000, the church voted for the resignation of Lee Newton as pastor and the payment of three months salary as recommended by the Board of Deacons.

Lee Vernon Coyle was called as pastor on September 3, 2000. Michelle Coyle was hired to serve as Music Director. The Youth Program continued under Jeff Morris and his wife Kay until their resignation in 2002. In April, 2001 a mobile unit was set up for Sunday School classrooms and in June, 2001 the church voted to again purchase a van. A recommendation to involve more members in the Sunday School Opening Assembly was adopted and in December, 2002 it was deemed necessary for safety and parking to remove all but one tree from the church property.

Extensive renovations were undertaken in the sanctuary, Sunday School area, and the bathrooms. New carpeting was installed and the pews re-covered in 2002. Because of smoke and fire damage to the parsonage, refurbishing followed there, also. The membership authorized plans to add a wing to the church building, and a committee began work on a proposed constitutional revision. Member Mike Donohue was a participant in the Little River Association Project for Honduras in 2002 and was accompanied by Member Chris Bowling to Honduras through the same association in 2003 and 2004. Homecoming activities were set for October 13, 2002.

Authorized on January 5, 2003, an architectural firm was engaged for $3,000 to draw plans for an addition to the church building. Upon presentation of the plans on August 3, the cost came in at $7,000. Bonnie Belle Cotten Hale was sent a letter of appreciation for the gift of two acres of property to be used as the church saw fit. Jim Holder was licensed to preach by the church body on January 18, 2004. On May 25, 2004, the church voted to mail letters to each family in membership informing them of plans for a church addition. The addition was authorized on July 25, 2004. A committee presented terms of the construction loan with BB&T on October 31, 2004. At the same business session, Lee Coyle offered his resignation, effective November 21, 2004..

2005 Expansion – Making Room for You

Rev. Paul Jones was called as interim pastor and a search committee formed to fill the pulpit. September 5 was observed as “Test the Tithe Sunday, 2005.” The building addition was dedicated and celebrated with a covered dish dinner on September 11, 2005. Former pastor, Lee Coyle was invited to bring the message and the membership vote to call Rev. Larry King to pastor.

Missions and Young Adult Involvement (2000s)

Both the Youth Program and the WMU excelled in 2005-2006. In June 2007, the active membership reached 149. In June 2007, Faye Washington was elected as the second woman deacon in the history of Rawls Baptist Church. As the church adopted a policy which barred a husband and wife or two siblings from serving on the same deacon board, Faye ended her service as a deacon in October, 2008. The largest budget in the history of the church was approved on September 24, 2007. Lay Renewal Weekend attendance was excellent September 21-23, and October 10, 2007, was set as Homecoming Day.

Even with the debt for the building, the church undertook the repair of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary and finished the task on July 21, 2008. The Fellowship Hall and kitchen have proven to be very useful for church functions. Upstairs classrooms and a study for the pastor were timely. The church continued to retire the debt during 2009.

Debt Retirement and Facility Updates (2010–2012)

On Friday, January 29, 2010, a heavy snow fell in the area causing services to be cancelled for the first time in many years. As a result of Vacation Bible School, fourteen children accepted Christ as Savior this summer. Pastor King decided to retire from the ministry and Paul Jones again was called as interim in September, 2010. A meaningful deacon ordination and the adoption of an expanded budget were significant.

Homecoming on October 17, 2010, welcomed Rev. Julian Motley, pastor 1959-1963, as speaker. An unusually large attendance heard his wonderful message based on Psalm 2 after which $16,000 was collected to defray the debt on the building. Thanksgiving and Christmas activities and improved Sunday School attendance marked the remainder of 2010.

Jimmy Davis Holder was ordained on January 9, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Participating were four ministers who had been his pastor: C. Paul Jones, Larry King, Chip Hopkins, and Lee Coyle. The church gave a reception in the fellowship hall honoring Jimmy and family.

A “Dream Committee” was formed to find ways to help the church move forward. The Harvest Day offering, October 9, 2011, completed paying the ten-year loan for the church in only six years. Former pastor, Larry King, was invited to burn the note during the Celebration on November 21, 2011.

This year a second ordination for the ministry took place November 27, 2011. Joseph Todd Baker, who serves as Youth Minister, was set aside by Paul Jones, Larry King and Rev. James Denton.

Early in 2012, the WMU recognized our pianist and organist, Sara Whittington Young, who began playing piano for the church at age 13.

On January 8, 2012, the membership voted to renovate the older part of the church building at Rawls Baptist Church to continue to provide for the growth of our Lord’s work.

Church Historian’s Closing Record (2012)

Mattie Rawls, former Church Historian

***Recorded and written by the church historian for many years, Mattie Rawls. Miss Rawls stopped recording the church history in 2012. Only the photos with their description were later added by Gaynelle Holder and Tracy Bowling to provide a visual history of Rawls Baptist Church.

Supplemental Research by Gaynelle Holder and Tracy Bowling

Research for the sections below was conducted by Gaynelle Holder and Tracy Bowling, both active members of Rawls Baptist Church.

Their contributions are included separately in order to honor and maintain the integrity of Mattie Rawls’ earlier historical record.

Special past history notes discovered after the 100th year centennial celebration in Oct of 2013:

Recorded History of Rawls Baptist Church

In the 1800’s, a small school house was built on the Rawls family land and it was called Rawls School House. The people living close by were known as Rawls Community. In 1903, the railroad extended through Rawls Community and a depot was built. It was also known by the same name. Documented and registered documents tell most of the beginning and organizing of Rawls Missionary Baptist Church.

Early Records and Organization (1914–1935)

July 11, 1914 the first business minutes where recorded. During this meeting, Hurley Weathers and C. J. Smith were appointed to look after the hauling and sawing of logs for the church building. Members present at this meeting was 7 members absent 5.

January 31, 1933 during a business meeting the disposal of the old school/church building across the road was put in the hands of the building committee, J. F. Sherman was chairman and the deacons. It is believed that maybe they choose to burn the old building but not documented as such. G. N. Ashley was pastor of Rawls Church during this time. He left on July 23, 1934 to sail to Europe to be gone for six months. He left the church in the hands of Otha Hilliard. Mr. Hilliard was a member of the church and ordained for the ministry.

March 23, 1935 the first WMU was organized during a business meeting with the help of the associational director.

June of 1935 the church started using budget envelopes.

Postwar Additions and Memorials (1951)

Fall of 1951 Altar Furniture was purchased for $427.65. Also, the Communion Table was donated in memory of R. F. Jones by Mrs. Lillie Jones and children. The Pulpit was given in memory of Wilson Rawls by M. H. Rawls and children.

Brotherhood and Church Traditions (1969–1971)

May 1969 the first Brotherhood meeting. It was announced during the May 14, 1969 business meeting that a Brotherhood had been organized and would meet the following week.

December 8, 1971 during a regular business meeting Rufus Moore made a motion that the church ask Kermit Rawls to ring the church bell every Sunday morning at 9:45. No one opposed to this.

Organ and Centennial Preparations (2012–2013)

September 9, 2012, after the morning worship, a business meeting was held for the purpose of voting to purchase a new organ from Moss Music Co. for $9,000.00. The old organ would be removed by and maybe thrown away by the music company when the new organ was delivered.

First Sunday new organ was used in the church was Sept. 16, 2012.

A centennial committee was organized to plan the centennial celebration of Rawls Church to be held in October, 2013. The first committee meeting was held on Sunday, September 21, 2012. A date for the celebration was set for October 12 & 13 of 2013.

Mattie Rawls resigned as church historian Sept. 30, 2012.

January 12, 2013, during the quarterly business meeting members present voted to purchase new hymnals for the church. The choir director, Joe Star, said the church needed at least 150 hymnals at a cost of $15.00 each. Also, special ones for the director and the musicians would be needed. The money for these hymnals would be obtained by donations and, upon request, the books could be in honor or memoryof someone.

January 20, 2013, Faye Washington resigned her position in the church as a deacon.

March 2, 2013, there was a special business meeting called for the purpose of voting to make a change to the deacon qualification article in the church constitution. This was for the purpose to clarify the qualifications and to omit some of the scripture listed in the current article. The vote to make these changes was 66 yes and 5 no.

April 29, 2013, work began to remodel the sanctuary of the church beginning with the choir and pulpit area.

May 5, 2013, the new hymnals were used in the church for the first time. All the money was donated.

July 7, 2013 during a quarterly church business meeting a change was made in the way the church deacons would be elected. The deacons were given the authority to choose the men eligible for this position and present these names to the church for a vote.

August 2013: A month of future planning. Chris Bowling and Mike Donohue are making plans to once again go to Honduras in Oct. 2013.

A date for the church centennial celebration was set for Oct. 12 & 13, 2013. In planning the church centennial, several items have been on display and presold as in T-shirts, mugs and Christmas Ornaments with the centennial logo on all items. Ink pens & fans are available for free to anyone.

Jeremiah 29:11 was chosen as a reminder of what the Lord has done and is still doing at Rawls Baptist Church.

.The choir and pulpit remodeling were completed.

September 2013 Gary Smith was voted in as a new deacon and would be ordained at a later date.

September 2013 new front doors were installed in the church. The threshold was removed and kept for church history when the old doors were removed.

October 2013 two church members, Mike Donohue and Chris Bowling, went on a mission trip to Honduras for a week. The two men traveled with a group of Baptist Men organized by Coats Baptist Church.

October 12 & 13 of 2013 the church celebrated its 100th year. Church members and friends enjoyed a catered “pig picking” event with music and much fellowship on Saturday Oct. 12. Sunday Oct. 13, 2013, everyone present enjoyed a breakfast on the church grounds starting at 9:00 in the morning followed by the church worship service at 10:30. A total of 6 previous pastors of the church attended with the present pastor, Clarence Hardison, Jr., who was in charge for the service.

Remodeling and Interior Updates (2013–2014)

November 4, 2013, work began by some of the men members of the church to remodel the inside front of the church. This remodeling included the removal of roll down doors on both side wings. Also, in the front entrance where the sound system operated from the floor was elevated to make the sound system higher up and out of sight. Stairs were constructed to get up to the sound system room. The front entrance remodeling was started first with the roll down door on the left side (which had been used for a Sunday School Classroom). January 6, 2014, after completion of front entrance, the men started on removal of side wing doors. Also, the pews had to be removed to do the rest of the remodeling so the
church services were held in the fellowship hall until February 9, 2014 the first worship service was held in the newly remodeled sanctuary. The remodeling consisted of the side wing arear painting the entire sanctuary, new ceiling tile with recessed lighting and all new carpet in the entire sanctuary.

The old light fixtures were auctioned off by silent auction to anyone who wanted to have one.

February 23, 2014, a special business meeting was called for the purpose of deciding whether to put the pews back in the sanctuary or purchase all new chairs. The members present voted to keep the pews in the middle section of the sanctuary and purchase new chairs for the wing area and choir loft. It was also voted to sell the 19 pews now not needed for $100.00 to anyone who desired to purchase one.

Started using the new sound system and monitors in March of 2014. Also, the new chairs were ordered from a company in Georgia. In April 2014, two men from the church went to Georgia to pick up the chairs and brought them to the church.

April 18, 2014, all the pine trees were removed from in front of the church cemetery and all around the parsonage by a tree service company.

May 2014 a brick wall was constructed in front of the church cemetery which was paid for by Chris Knott in memory of his mother Dottie Knott. Also, a brick wall was constructed around the flagpole in honor and memory of all veterans.

Missions and Ministry Growth (2014–2015)

June 20, 2014, a youth in the church, Miranda Nutt, left on a mission trip to Hungary for 2 weeks. She was financially supported by the church. She went to teach English to children in Hungary through the organization Word of Life Hungary Ministry.

July 2, 2014, a special called business meeting was held before prayer meeting to vote on Sam Arent for a paid position of Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor. He was approved for this position and would start on August 4, 2014.

August of 2014, the front of the cemetery was paved money provided by Chris Knott.

June of 2015 men in the church working on improving the inside of the parsonage to get ready for Sam Arent and his wife Brittany to move in August 2015. August 21, 2015, was Sam and Brittany’s first night staying in the parsonage.

June 2015 the church again financially supported Miranda Nutt and Sue Schmidt on a mission trip to Hungry working through Word of Life Ministries. This time Miranda stayed seven weeks and Sue was there for two weeks.

Celebrations and Leadership Transitions (2015–2017)

October 11, 2015, the church celebrated 102 years of age with an evening meal, special music and worship service.

October 14, 2015, at the regular WMU meeting the members present voted to change the name of this organization to WUC (Women United in Christ). The WMU of Rawls Missionary Baptist Church was organized during a business meeting on March 23, 1935, with the help of the Little River Baptist Associational Director.

April 2016, during a quarterly business meeting, members present voted to purchase a new piano.

May 9, 2016, a K. KAWAI piano was purchased and was delivered to the church on May 11, 2016.

Sunday, September 25, 2016, at 6:00 PM an ordination service was held for Sam Arent, Sam had already served as Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor in the church since August of 2014.

Sunday, May 7, 2017, Sam Arent read a letter of resignation effective immediately from the positions of Associate Pastor and Youth Pastor.

June 2017, a church member, Miranda Nutt, went on a mission trip to Argentina funded by donations from a church fundraiser. Miranda was working through a group called “Teach Beyond”.

Ministries”. In July 2017 Miranda went on another mission trip to Brazil with the same ministries group.

January 10, 2018, existing church steeple was removed to be replaced by a new church steeple. It had been decided during a business meeting in December 2017 to get a new
church steeple and replace the old pews with new ones. The old bell in the steeple was kept for church history.

February 2018, all old existing pews where sold toindividuals for $100.00.

February 15, 2018, the new pews arrived and put in the church.

Missions and Milestones (2018–2019)

In July 2018, a food pantry was opened in the parsonage. The food pantry began distribution on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month for service to the community.

Also, in the summer of 2018, several members of Rawls went on mission trips to Brazil with Teach Beyond, a ministry that provides Holy Spirit transformed education to people of all ages around the world. Miranda Nutt served in four different English camps from July through August in Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Fortaleza. Tracy Bowling, Austin Bowling, Larry Schmidt, and Sue Schmidt also served in the Fortaleza camp in August of 2018. In each of the camps, they ministered to kids and teenagers through English classes, bracelet-making workshops, and personal time with the kids during different activities and chapel times.

October 14, 2018, Rawls Baptist Church celebrated 105 years since established in October 13, 1913. First, the church hosted a light breakfast staring at 9:15 in the morning, then the morning service started at 10:30. The guest speaker for this service was Dr. Timothy Warren from Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas. Dr. Warren’s wife, Beverlee, also attended. A catered lunch was provided for all immediately following the service.

October 16, 2018, the Pastor of Rawls Baptist Church, Clarence Hardison, Jr. and his wife Debra left with a group of people on a tour of Israel for two weeks. Rev. Ross Marion filled in for the worship service while the pastor was away.

December 2018, Miranda Nutt returned home from a mission trip to Brazil where she had been since July 2018. Miranda announced to the church she has made a decision to be a full time missionary and explained the need to have financial help in order to do this. Miranda received financial help to be a missionary from Rawls Baptist Church and Baptist Grove Church. She left for Brazil on January 17,

2019, to begin her full-time missionary work through TeachBeyond Ministries.

This research and information was reported by the current church historian, Gaynelle Gardner Holder, who has recorded the church history from August 2012 through January 2019.

Mission Work and Leadership Appointments (2019–2020)

On September 22, 2019, a church meeting, called to order by Pastor Clarence Hardison, Jr., was held to discuss, among regular business, and vote on the Elders. Bob Hardie and David Wuester were presented and voted to be first Elders in Rawls history.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

On March 14, 2020 – “Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order that prohibited gatherings of 100 or more people, closed public schools for two weeks, and encouraged the practice of social distancing.” And people were ordered to stay home unless they were an essential worker or had essential business to do.

On March 15, 2020, all churches had to stop gathering; this was the first Sunday that Rawls stopped services due to COVID-19. No in-person services were held, including worship, Sunday school, children’s church, all ministries were halted for a period of time as people were unable to gather together safely according to the CDC rules. The church began holding virtual services online for Sunday worship so that the congregation and anyone else could be reached to continue teaching and preaching God’s Word.

On March 22, 2020, every state in the US had the virus making many people sick; most businesses had to close except grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants were only take-out; most everyone stayed at home except hospital and medical workers. By now it had spread to other countries (originated in China) and the government was quickly trying to find a cure. Medical supplies were low, groceries were scarce at stores and people were anxious and praying for help from God.

March 2020, during the historical church shutdown, the Elders and Deacons voted to hire a new youth pastor, Joshua Bovee. Since members could not gather at the church a website was created just to vote online. All members had the opportunity to vote. Mr. Bovee was approved with a unanimous vote as youth pastor. He began meeting with the youth via Zoom, an online audio, video and web conferencing platform on April 1, 2020.

Pandemic Challenges and Online Ministry (2020–2021)

June 17, 2020, the youth began meeting in-person on Wednesday nights again since the pandemic began with CDC restrictions (mandatory masks and maintain social distance of 6 ft apart). After almost five months of no in-person services, the church reopened its doors on August 9, 2020, with CDC restrictions: by checking everyone’s temperature as they entered the door; wearing masks, roping off ever other pew and people spacing about 6feet apart on the pews. No music except piano music and a soloist.

[Additional historical information related to COVID-19 and the US election is in Ms. Gaynelle Holder’s notes; however may not church history]

January 17, 2021, Children’s church started back since the pandemic began.

April 14, 2021, Wednesday night Bible Study started back since the pandemic began.

April 18, 2021, a special business meeting was held and by unanimous vote accepted the revised Constitution with the following change: Section IV (2) states “If a member remains inactive for a period of 24 months, they will automatically be removed from the church membership.”

On May 2, 2021, The Women’s Ministry met for the first time since the pandemic began. This meeting was led by Jenny Currin and Debra Hardison.

On May 13, 2021, the CDC announced its recommendation that if you have received the complete COVID vaccination, then you no longer need to wear a mask. In light of this information, Rawls held its first service with masks being optional.

On May 14, 2021, the CDC and the Governor of NC lifted the mandate on wearing of mask inside and outside and also no more social distance for everyone who has gotten the COVID shot.

Rawls church fully opened its doors without restrictions on May 20, 2021.

July 7, 2021, church choir began meeting again since the pandemic.

July 24, 2021, the church youth pastor and his wife [Josh and Natalie Bovee] moved into theparsonage.

August 1, 2021, the church started having Sunday School again for the first time wafter the shut down due to the pandemic.

Renewal and Facility Updates (2022–2023)

August 2022, decision was made to stop having bible study and prayer meeting on Wednesday nights due to low attendance, this would give more time to focus on youth programs and the music ministry. The Awanas had its first meeting with children on September 11, 2022, Sunday afternoon from3:30 to 5:00 pm.

The week of September 19th through 23rd, 2022, the church started remodeling of the choir loft and pulpit area getting a technology upgrade sound system.
November 2, 2022, new church sign was installed.

May 3, 2023, an emergency church meeting was called encouraging all members to attend. The moderator of this meeting was Elder Bob Hardie. He informed the members that youth leader, Josh Bovee was asked to resign.

May 7, 2023, Pastor Clarence Hardison, Jr. resigned as Rawls Church pastor. He read a letter of resignation which was effective immediately. Hardison did not return to the pulpit anymore followinghis resignation.

August 6, 2023, a church business meeting was held after worship service to vote on an interim pastor. Pastor Sterling Tharrington was voted in by ballot voting of 29 (yes) 2(no). He had agreed to accept $350.00 per week and to start September 3, 3023.

December 10, 2023, Deacon Garry Smith announce that Amanda Cowen, the current worship leading had given the deacon a letter of resignation and would serve until the end of the month. Her last Sunday was December 24, 2023.

New Leadership and Ministry Vision (2024–2025)

On July 14, 2024, a special business meeting was called to vote on a full-time pastor. The pastor’s search meeting committee presented Reverand Brandon Moore Gaster to be voted on after a trial sermon on this day. Rev. Gaster was voted in a Rawls Church full-time Pastor with 33 votes counted. (32 yes, 1 no).

August 11, 2024, was the first Sunday as Pastor Brandon Gaster as full-time Pastor at Rawls Church.

January 12, 2025, Pastor Gaster and his wife Susanna joined Rawls church. Paul Griswold also joined the church this day.

On January 29, 2024, the church held a business meeting to vote on allowing the pastor and his family to move into the parsonage. It was also voted to do some minor renovations to the parsonage before the pastor and his family move in.

May/June 2025. We also voted to hire Susanna Gastor as the music director to begin when their familymoves into the parsonage.

[This research and information was reported by the current church historian, Gaynelle Gardner Holder and Tracy Bowling, who has recorded the church history from January 2019 through February7, 2025]

The following information was found through research:

Schoolhouse Land and Early Beginnings (1907–1913)

On September 27, 1907 – Deed-Harnett County, N.C. Book 226 Page 123 J. A. Jones and wife Effie Jones and the estate of Jas. Gardner joined together and sold 2 acres of land to the Harnett County Board of Education for the purpose of building a school. This school was built within six months of this transaction on the same site that Rawls Church is now on. This school was also known as Rawls School House. (See document No. S-001). Picture of school (document S/C-002).

April 5, 1908, a group of people met in the Harnett County Rawls School House and organized a Sunday School. The officers chosen for this Sunday School were J. H. Betts, Sup.; W. R. Johnson, Assistant; C. T. Smith, Secretary; and M. H. Rawls, Assistant. A Sunday School report book was found in the home of Ethel Smith, widow of Thurman Smith, by the current owner while remodeling. It was recently given to the church historian to record as history. (See copy of document No. C-003)

October 21, 1913, Rawls Missionary Baptist Church was organized. The first church was built where the Rawls Church Cemetery is now located. It was recognized in the Little River Baptist Association as a church in the annual report book in 1914.

Church and Cemetery Land Acquisitions (1928–1934)

November 27, 1928, the two acres of land bought by Harnett County Board of Education for the construction of Rawls School House was sold to Rawls Church members for the construction of a larger church building. A new school had been built in 1924 a few miles away named LaFayette School and the small school building was no longer needed. (Deed in Book 229 page 230; see also document No. C-004)

March 6, 1934, survey of 1.10 acres was done for cemetery land. (See document No. C-005)

March 15, 1934, deed of J. S. Gardner heirs sold 1.10 acres to Rawls Church to be used as cemetery land. (See document No. C-006)

Parsonage Property and Mid-Century Expansion (1960)

March 21, 1960, deed of T. H. Gardner and wife, Retha Smith Gardner, sold small track of land to Rawls Church so a parsonage could be built. (See document C-007)

Property Donations and New Additions (2003–2005)

In 2003, the heirs of the T. H. Gardner Estate donated .50(1/2) acre to Rawls Church for the purpose of constructing a new addition on to the existing building. This addition would be more Sunday Schoolrooms space, a fellowship hall with a kitchen and a pastor’s study. This addition was completed in 2005.

(Note: Before this construction was started all old land deeds were combined in one new deed).

In 2003, Bonnie Belle Cotten Hale gave a donated gift to Rawls Church of two acres of land to be used as needed. This land was located on Rawls Baptist Grove Church Road. The church members chose to sell the land at a public auction and the money was used to help pay the existing debt of the new church addition.

*A copy of all documents mentioned in this report are available to view and read in a separate notebook.

Early Pastors (1914–1930s)

• Rev. J. D. Betts (1914–1918) – Wooden building built across the highway in 1914.

• Rev. W. C. Dowd (1919–1920)

• Rev. J. L. Martin (1921–1922)

• Rev. Walton Page (1924)

• Rev. Fred Womack (1924–1927)

• Rev. G. N. Ashley (1927–1934) – Present sanctuary and cemetery established, 1932.

• Rev. Otha Hilliard (1934)

• Rev. C. H. Upchurch (1934–1939)

• Rev. C. H. “Cad” Norris (1939–1940)

• Rev. M. L. Hux (1940–1945) – Indefinite pastoral calls adopted in 1940.

Post-War Growth (1946–1970s)

• Rev. T. H. Williams (1946) – Unified budget adopted.

• Rev. I. K. Stafford (1949–1951) – Resigned to teach at Campbell College.

• Rev. Zeb V. Moss (1951–1955) – Later served as missionary in Africa.

• Rev. Eugene Williams (1955–1959) – Choir loft and organ added.

• Rev. Julian Motley (1959–1963) – Nursery established; parsonage completed 1962.

• Rev. Kermit Mathis (1963)

• Rev. Charles E. Stevens (1964–1968) – Brick veneer, stained glass windows; full-time services began 1966.

• Rev. Robert L. Clark (1968–1978) – Air conditioning installed; first music director and Training Union programs.

  • Interims: Ronald Pierce (1978), Robert Coats (1979).

Modern Ministry Era (1979–2000)

• Rev. Stephen M. Buffin (1979–1980) – Parsonage renovation; handicap ramp added.

  • Interim: David Watson

• Rev. Ronald Pierce (1981–1983)

  • Interim: Dr. James F. Heaton

• Rev. Wayne Schlink (1985–1990) – Parsonage renovations completed.

  • Interim: Bob Coats (1990)

• Rev. Kevin “Chip” Hopkins (1990–1997) – Parsonage furnace and refurbishing, 1998.

  • Interim: Dr. Robert Newton (1997–1998)

• Rev. Robert Lee Newton Jr. (1998–2000) – Air conditioning and heating updates, 1999.

Modern-Day Leadership (2000–Present)

• Rev. Lee Vernon Coyle (2000–2004) – Sanctuary, Sunday School and bathroom renovations; new carpeting and pew coverings, 2002.

  • Interim: Paul Jones (2005)

• Rev. Larry King (2005–2010) – Fellowship hall addition; parking lot paving; stained-glass repairs, 2008.

  • Interim: Paul Jones (2010–2012)

• Rev. Clarence Hardison Jr. (2012–2023) – Began sanctuary remodel (choir and pulpit area, 2013).

• Rev. Brandon Gaster (2024–Present) – Current pastor.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

(Updated February 7, 2025)