New Salem Missionary Baptist Church
Welcome to New Salem Missionary Baptist Church where " The word is Christ and him crucified." ( 1 Cor. 2:2 )
OUR PASTOR
Pastor Jason as he is known by most, is a native of the Chicago Southside. The son of Dr. John T. and Minnie Pearl Henry who have been together for 58 years. As the 9th of 10 children, he along with his siblings were taught to honor God at an early age. Jason was baptized by his father Dr. Henry at the Shining Star Baptist Church in Chicago in 1980. As the Lord saw fit the family would relocate to Phoenix Arizona in 1981.
At age 11, when his older brother was called to Pastor, he was thrust head long into music ministry. Pastor Henry has served as the Minister of Music at New Salem MBC for the past 30 years. He is an accomplished singer/musician/songwriter. He has played with various artists as well as scored for many stage productions.
At age 16 he became the Asst. Teacher for the Men’s Sunday School class and it became apparent where God had truly planned to use him. In 1997 he responded to his call to the Gospel Ministry. A year later he would be licensed and not many days hence ordained. Pastor Henry has a Bachelors degree in education and currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling. He serves as the Senior Pastor of the New Salem MBC, Vice Moderator of the Mt. Zion District Association, as well as Dean of Education for the Mt Zion SS and BTU Congress of Arizona. He attributes all his achievement to God. He firmly believes that life should be spent using God Given gifts to Glorify his God from whom they originated.
Pastor Jason is very active in the community as well. He works on the front lines teaching and assisting those who many would cast away. He has worked for the Roosevelt School District for the past 12 years. He is also been a city employee since the late 90’s. He is passionate about his students and the youth of our communities. He has a saying for the youth “ be an asset and not a liability. When you become something they can’t live without, they don’t have to like you but they to have to respect you.”
OUR CHURCH
The late Rev. Leo J. Nichols was the founder and first pastor of New Salem Baptist Church. He served the congregation from the church’s founding date, November 28, 1943 to 1964. Under his leadership he acquired and built the church that was located at 1706 E. Lincoln.
Rev. Patrick M. Davis, the second pastor of the church served the congregation after the death of Rev. Nichols from 1964 until February,1981. During his pastorate, the church was located at 1706 East Lincoln.
The pastor, Dr. John T. Henry Sr., came to the church in April,1981. He supervised the sale of the East Lincoln Street property and the relocation to the present address at 4224 South 13th Street in early 1985.
During the construction of the present edifice, the church met in a building adjacent to the property which was named the Riley Center (named for Jennie Riley, deceased and founding member of New Salem) from 1985 until December, 1991.
In December, 1991 the church moves its services to the new sanctuary, which is still in the process of being completed.
Under the leadership of Pastor Henry, many auxiliaries were formed. Ninety-eight percent of the church members are tithers and in attendance at prayer meeting and bible study. Pastor John T. Henry Sr. retired in May 2016, when the current pastor, Rev. Jason A. Henry took leadership. Pastor Henry now carries out his visions for the church, creating new auxiliaries such as the young adult group known as S.W.A.T.
As we continue to trust in the Lord and continue to follow the leadership of our pastor, we will finish construction of the sanctuary and complete a paved parking lot.
There have been many storms that have beset New Salem but God continues to bless us to serve one another in the church and be witnesses in the community.