Property Acquisition

In 1961, by the power of God, Dr. Gaither and the congregation were able to purchase the property located at 52nd & Kershaw Streets. This property was valued more than $100,000.00. The ministry of Bible Way began to expand by reaching into and fulfilling the needs of the surrounding community never losing sight of our primary charge to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to perishing sinners everywhere.

During these joyous years over 200 hundred souls were added to the church with a large portion of that number representing candidates for Baptism and Sunday School enrollment began approaching 200 persons as well. The DNA of Bible Way was rooted in discipleship under Pastor Gaither’s leadership.

The mortgage on this property was liquidated in 1968 as planned. It was at this time that “Stewardship Studies” were undertaken having a profound and lasting impact on the membership even to this day.

The Tragic Fire

On the night of February 14, 1971, (Pastor Gaither’s Birthday), the Bible Way Baptist Church was completely destroyed by fire. Pastor Gaither and a handful of members stood helplessly as the church burned and was gutted by fire. Dr. Gaither stood like a soldier in an army and continued to trust God and think positively. He was far from being defeated and was quoted as having said, “We must have hit the devil too hard!”

From the night of that tragic fire and through our stay at the Thompson Street Edifice (now Little Rock Tabernacle Baptist Church), Pastor Gaither and the church officers worked diligently towards rebuilding the church. The faith and vision of Dr. Gaither was apparent as he scheduled a Ground Breaking Ceremony for Sunday, November 7, 1971 without a financial commitment from the First Pennsylvania Bank.

The sun was shining brightly on Sunday, June 24, 1973 as if God Himself was smiling upon Bible Way.  On that long-awaited morning, the congregation led by Pastor Gaither marched to the new edifice erected on the old Kershaw Street site singing "We've Come This Far By Faith."

A Time of Transition

God continued to bless the ministry of the Bible Way Baptist Church and on Tuesday, June 25, 1985, the final payment was made to First Pennsylvania Bank with three years remaining on the note.

Throughout the 1980’s Bible Way joyfully praised the Lord for our many blessings and God continued to bless the church with many new members. As the congregation adjusted to the new facilities, the congregation also continued to grow spiritually while embracing the mission and vision of God for the church

The 1990’s brought transition to Bible Way. It was during these years that Pastor Gaither decided to retire from the Pastorate. After having founded this wonderful local church and serving as her first pastor for forty-two years, a “Victory Celebration” was held on December 4, 1993. We were not only honoring Dr. Gaither’s lifetime of faithful, committed service but we were also celebrating a man who’s life modeled his obedience to serving God and the church. Dr. Gaither made the decision to pass the baton to someone who could lead Bible Way into the next century. The Lord called Dr. Gaither from labor to reward on January 6, 1999. Our dear founder’s wife, Sis. Scotia Gaither followed her husband home to be with the Lord a few years later.

Pastor Damone B. Jones, Sr.

Prior to Dr. Gaither’s passing, Pastor Damone B. Jones, Sr., was called to be the second Pastor of the Bible Way Baptist Church in September of 1993.  Installation Services were held for Pastor Damone & Mrs. Melissa Jones on Sunday, January 31, 1994.  Pastor Jones’ theme was: “The Runners Change but The Race Remains the Same!”

We praise God for sending Pastor & Sis. Jones to lead us.  Pastor Jones is a man of God who has proven faithful and is a great organizer.  In a short amount of time, Pastor Jones has mastered the art of pastoring.  In his first year, 235 souls were added and virtually every year after that no less than 200 souls were added.  Over forty-one ministries have operated from the Bible Way Baptist Church at one time or another.  All were designed to meet the diverse needs of the church and community.  Under Pastor Jones’ leadership, the Outreach Kitchen, Bible Institute, Computer Ministry, A.C.T.S. Incorporated, Prison Ministry, Community Service Program, Koinonia Community Cook-Out, a 7:30am Worship Service along with periodic Wednesday Evening “Jamb for the Lamb” Praise and Worship Services were added to name a few of those ministries. Other ministries include the Annual Turkey Drive, Prayer on the Street, Operation Emmanuel, and Angel Tree.  A number of buildings were also purchased under Pastor Jones’ leadership to include, the Scotia Gaither Center (Kershaw St.), The DBJ Center (Master St.) and the Bible Way Community Playground (52nd St.).

Pastor Jones is also very proud of his spiritual sons in the ministry who left Bible Way to begin pastoring their own congregations during his tenure. They include:  Pastor Clarence J. Washington, Haven Peniel United Methodist Church (retired); Pastor Raymond Harris, Jr., Christ Tabernacle Baptist Church (retired); Pastor Robert  J. Fontell, Jr., The Calvary Christian Church; Pastor John C. Gblah, Agape International Baptist Church (retired); Pastor Gregory A. Johnson; Greater St. Matthew’s Independent Church; the late Pastor William Davis, Assistant Pastor, Service Baptist Church; Pastor Michael Robinson, Greater Enon Baptist Church (retired); Pastor Khalil Rogers, Peniel Baptist Church; and Pastor Vernal E. Simms, Jr., Millcreek Baptist Church.  We happily note that Bible Way made history when Dr. Jones licensed and then ordained Sis. Rosemarie Stephane Hammond to the preaching ministry in that Pastor Hammond is the very first female to hold that distinction. 

The contributions of our First Lady, Lady Melissa Jones to the ministry of the Bible Way Baptist Church are inestimable as she serves along side her husband. “Lady Melissa”, as she is affectionately called, designed and implemented the Women of Excellence Ministry which includes discipleship, mentoring, organization of multiple Women’s Retreats, Women’s Revivals and Children’s Church just to name a few of her accomplishments. Over the years of service, Lady Melissa has overseen many building project renovations throughout Bible Way’s campus. In May of 2005, Lady Melissa made academic history when she graduated from the Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne, PA, becoming the ‘only’ person ever to complete a Master of Science in Christian Counseling and two professional certifications in the history of the university.  Lady Melissa also serves the Bible Way Family by providing professional counseling services.

In May of 2010, Pastor Jones completed his formal studies and graduated from the Palmer Theological Seminary in Wynnewood, PA (formerly Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary) with a Doctor of Ministry Degree in The Renewal of the Church for Mission. 

In December of 2014, Lady Melissa also completed her doctoral studies earning a Doctor of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy Studies from Eastern University in St. David’s, PA.  As a Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Melissa Jones, LPC opened her own counseling practice, Refresh Counseling Services in 2017.

During the years between 2010 and 2017, the Bible Way Baptist Church continued to grow numerically and spiritually. In 2018, church membership began to decline.  This decline not only affected the Bible Way Church but Black Churches throughout the country.  Pastor Jones and the pastoral team and office staff worked diligently to re-build the congregation and by the grace of God, Sunday Morning attendance and people joining the church began to increase.  In 2020, the world saw a global pandemic called the Corona Virus (Covid 19).  This deadly virus took the lives of many and caused the closing of church building around the world forcing churches to resort to outdoor and on-line worship services, bible studies, prayer services, fellowships, meetings and more. 

The last public Sunday Morning worship service held inside the sanctuary of the Bible Way Baptist Church was held on Sunday, March 15, 2020.  Many churches did not survive the pandemic, but by the grace of God the church re-opened approximately one year later, on May 16, 2021, with several Covid 19 related restrictions and limitations, but our worship, discipleship, fellowship and outreach programs remain restriction free. The years immediately following the pandemic were difficult, but the Lord remained faithful as we committed ourselves to Thriving, not just Surviving.”  Bible Way made history again in 2022 when Sis. Gwendolyn Champ and Sis. Cheryl Brown, were appointed by Dr. Jones as our very first female Deacons. While we have returned to one worship service on Sunday mornings in person and via YouTube/Zoom, the church continues to grow and for that we give God all the Praise!  Truly, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith!”