Hello friends!

Fifty years ago, this month (February 20th), Antioch Baptist Church began as Trinity Baptist Temple. Approximately fifty believers wanted to start a new work for the Lord because they had become disillusioned by ungodly and unbiblical practices in their former church that were not going to be resolved. By unanimous vote, the people present made Dr. Luther Adkins the pastor and the first church service was held right after the business meeting. Dr. Adkins pastored faithfully from the church’s inception in 1972 until his death in July 1985. David F. Reagan, who had been Dr. Adkins’ assistant, became the pastor and faithfully laboured as such until his homegoing in May of 2007. It was during his pastorate that the church was renamed Antioch Baptist Church. Upon Brother Reagan’s passing, Andrew Ray, then assistant pastor, was unanimously voted in as the church’s third pastor.

Throughout the years, the church has had numerous ministries with a global reach. If you have been impacted by the ministries of the church, or the ministries of its pastors, would you graciously consider sending a letter of congratulations or thanks to the church to commemorate our fiftieth anniversary. The letter can be mailed to 5709 North Broadway Street, Knoxville, TN 37918 or emailed to pastorray@learnthebible.org. Thank you for taking the time to let our church family know how its ministries have been a blessing to you throughout the years.