Faith Missionary Baptist Church of Leighton, Alabama, was organized June 4, 1983. It was organized under the authority and oversight of Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Paducah, Kentucky, pastored by Elder Eugene Clark. The 33 members adopted the New Hampshire Confession-1853 and the Church Covenant for Baptist churches contained in Pendleton’s Church Manual as a statement of the church’s beliefs and practices. Robert’s Rules of Order was adopted as the pattern for the conduct of business meetings.
The Lord brought the charter members of Faith Baptist Church out of several different Baptist communities and backgrounds. Many of these members had experienced pressure and even rejection because of two cardinal principles-first, the Word of God is the basis for all matters of faith and practice, and second, “salvation is of the Lord” and is wholly the work of God’s grace based on the finished work of Jesus Christ. This is commonly referred to as “the doctrines of grace” whereby spiritually-dead sinners are effectually called and regenerated by the Holy Spirit in connection with the gospel so as to make them new creatures. They evidence this gracious work by repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before its organization into a church, the mission met in member’s homes. By the time of its organization, the congregation had purchased property located on Alabama Highway 157. This property had first been used as an Independent Methodist meeting place and later by the LaGrange Church of the Nazarene. Faith Baptist Church met in that original building from 1983 until a new building was built and occupied on February 8, 1998. The old building was then torn down. In 2005, and addition was completed which contained class rooms and a larger kitchen/fellowship area.
Faith Missionary Baptist Church Charter Members: Gary Phillips, Nina Phillips, Dana Phillips, Jonathan Phillips, Loral Ford, Derinda Ford, Melinda Ford, Jon Ford, Percy Potter, Hattie Potter, Ronnie Potter, Valerie Potter, J. L. Liverett, Shirley Liverett, Chris Liverett, Teresa Liverett, James Ayers, Martha Ayers, Wade Ayers, Heath Ayers, Cranford Alexander, Kay Alexander, O’ Neal Hicks, Shirlynn Hicks, Dalton Logan, Rachel Logan, Rodney Logan, Susan Logan, Dewey Ford, Homer Amos, Elease Amos, Bob Wilhide and Beverly Wilhide.
Faith Baptist Church has had the following men to serve as pastor:
- Gary Phillips (1983-1990)
- Paul Thorn (1990-1993)
- Mark Langley(1994-1995)
- Phillip Potter (1996-2011)
- Truman Kimbrough (1998-2002)
- Victor Brackin (2005-present)