History: 

In early 1984, Yates Association recognized a need for a Baptist church in the rapidly growing area between Ridgecrest Church and Red Mountain church in northern Durham County. A PRAXIS team consisting of two students, Chris Fuller and Rick Hayes, from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary began planting the seeds for a new church that summer. A home Bible Study began in the home of Bob and Blanche Thornton, members of Gorman Church and, in late July, the first services were held in the old Little River School gymnasium.  Conditions were difficult in the gymnasium especially in the winter.  The following spring, the church was able to move to the Bahama Ruritan Club building where it continued to grow and strengthen.  Land for a permanent building was purchased with the help of a loan from the North American Mission Board.

In February of 1987, the church took a step of faith to call its first full time pastor, Cam Ervin. The fellowship was blessed and grew.  By that fall, a worship and classroom facility was started.  One year after calling a pastor, and with the help of the North Carolina Baptist Men and volunteers and donations from as far away as Georgia, the new facility was filled to capacity for the first services held there. A mobile classroom was secured from the state convention in May of 1989 to provide 3 additional Sunday School rooms. Space was still short and classes were meeting in neighboring homes until two modular buildings were purchased from Providence Church in Raleigh in early 1992. Cam Ervin served the church through December of 1993.  Dr. Frank Zedick, Pastor Emeritus from Grace Church, then served the church in the first of three terms as Interim Pastor.

In July of 1994, Rocky Gregory became pastor.  He led the church into a capital funds campaign for a new worship center and he expanded the use of Southeastern students begun by his predecessor.  These students have shown great dedication in their ministry at Bahama, made significant contributions while there, and many have powerful ministries today that started with their internships here.  Pastor Gregory served until May of 1999.  Dr. Zedick returned as interim pastor.

In January of 2001, Steve Pierce arrived from South Africa with a unique personality and contemporary preaching and worship style.  The church grew quickly and built a larger worship facility that was completed in late 2003.  Unfortunately, his ministry ended soon afterward.

But, in the midst of the uncertainty that followed, God had already provided Ray Lowe, who was completing his studies at Southeastern, to pastor the church through this period, first as interim pastor and then as pastor.  He possessed the leadership, integrity and stability that the church needed and he served until April, 2009 before leaving to move closer to family. Dr. Zedick returned again as interim pastor.

In 2009, we celebrated the memories of a quarter century in our 25th Anniversary Homecoming.  Throughout these years, we have believed that God has a divine purpose and great future for His church, both the church universal and the church here in Bahama.

We continue to build on the efforts of the faithful who have served before us under the leadership of Rev. Wes McMurray who became our pastor in January, 2010.