Our History

Serving the Horsepasture area since 1969, we WELCOME visitors to our Sunday School, Worship Services, Youth and Children's Activities, and Discipleship Classes. We trust you will find inspiration and help, and you will go from God's House renewed in Spirit and at Peace with God. In 1967, Mayo Baptist Church and the Henry County Baptist Association began a mission in the Horsepasture area, with Rev. Jim Cravens serving as pastor. On November 17, 1968, Rev. Ross Moyer was called as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church with 63 charter members. The Henry County Baptist Association gave Hillcrest nearly five acres of land on Route 58 West in Horsepasture on December 16, 1970. The church building was completed in May 1973. Since then, the building has been renovated and/or additional space added five times: education space in 1986; a new sanctuary, pastor’s study, choir room, parlor, fellowship hall, and additional education space in 1991; a 10,000 sq. ft. two-level education building, including a new social hall, youth room, classrooms, and bathrooms, an enlarged kitchen with new equipment, and an expanded parking lot in 1997; a 5,000 sq. ft. two-level addition for offices and new youth rooms in 2002; and additional education space and an expanded Sanctuary in 2004.

Between 1973 and 1987, Rev. John Owen, Rev. Arvin Williams, Rev. Arnold Terry, and Rev. Jim Caparolie served as pastors, successively. On November 1, 1987, Douglas Ramsey was called to serve as Interim Pastor; and was voted in as Pastor beginning June 1, 1988. Rev. Larry Jones (Jon) Parker served as Minister of Youth and Children from July 1999 through August 2005; and Rev. Jonathan Haskew was our Minister of Education/Outreach from April 2003 through May 2008. On March 19, 2006, roger Jones was called a Minister of Youth & Children; on July 27, 2008, his title was changed Associate Pastor/Youth. His wife, Martha Jones, became Children’s Ministry Director on August 1, 2008, after serving as Office Assistant for approximately 2 years. Rev. Clyde H. Murray became our Associate Pastor/Music & Worship in August 2009 after Betsy Morris retired, having served as Choir Director for 40 years. Our Senior Pastor, Doug Ramsey, retired on September 26, 2010. As of February 1, 2011, the church’s active membership was 480, and the Sunday School enrollment was 428. We are exceedingly grateful for God’s hand upon our church and His blessings of a two Associate Pastors, as well as a growing congregation who is loving, caring and obedient to God.