SALVATION TESTIMONIES OF
MCFERRIN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERS
September 2025


Permission granted by members with signatures
Copy of signatures on file
Testimonies compiled for this project
By Janet B.

Norma A.
July 1951 Rock Bridge Missionary Baptist Church
Age 13

In 1951 we lived in Gallatin, TN and at revival time at Rock Bridge Church (my Mother's home church) I would stay at an Aunt and Uncle's house in the area to go to church along with a cousin from Louisville. She was 13 months older than I and we were both mourners during the whole revival. I can remember thinking about her and wanting her to be saved and she was saved on the second Monday night. I thought I could not let the revival close and not be saved so I was really praying. The next morning (there were always day services) I was lifted up with that wonderful peace. A wonderful peace that is still there today. I was baptized into Rock Bridge Church by Bro. R. D. Sanders. I am so thankful I was led to McFerrin Church. It has truly been a blessing.

Lavonne E.
 Friendship M.B.C. Lafayette, TN
Age 12

 I was saved during a revival service at 12 years of age. During the song service a neighbor of ours turned around and asked me if I was lost. I had never really felt lost before but when she asked me that night I suddenly felt under conviction. I knew then that if I died I would go to hell. I went to the altar to pray and the Lord saved my soul! There was a peace that came in and I remember everything just looking so bright. I joined the church the next night and was baptized about two weeks later in White Oak Creek along with twenty-one others that had joined during that revival. What a wonderful and loving God we serve!

Lois G.
1st Sunday in June 1963  Rayon City Missionary Baptist Church
Age 9

I was saved when I was a nine-year-old girl at Rayon City Missionary Baptist Church during the Sunday Morning Service. It was the first Sunday in June of 1963. I went to the right end side of the mourners’ bench when the invitation for sinners was given. I was saved during an altar prayer on my knees.

Angie I.
June 1974 McFerrin Missionary Baptist
Age 12

We were in revival services in June 1974, and I was 12 years old. The first night the invitation was given, I began publicly to seek the Lord at the altar. On Thursday night, we were late to church because I had a softball game. I had secretly hoped we would be so late that we would not attempt to attend church. Thankfully, Mom and Dad were faithful in their attendance and were painfully aware that I was in a serious predicament. Church ended and the invitation was given. I sought the Lord that night just as I had the previous nights. Looking back, that was a mistake. When church was dismissed, I shamefully left the altar and went outside with other friends. I became aware that one of my friends, Dave Pomeroy, was still on the altar, and he rose up and proclaimed he was saved! There was much rejoicing, so I went back in the church and eased up to the altar area. I’m not sure what happened next, but Mom and Dad and some of my saved friends were near me, and I fell to my knees in the floor of the altar. At that time, I cried out to the Lord like no other time. I recognized that I was truly bound for hell. There was a small space in time that I’m not sure what happened. I knew that the Lord had suddenly flooded my soul with his peace and love! I quickly got to my feet and threw my arms around Mom and Dad and other church members. That next night, I presented myself for membership at McFerrin Missionary Baptist Church, and was baptized with several others by Bro. Howard Taylor at Mansker Creek. The Lord has so richly blessed my life since that Thursday night. I have seen so many family members and friends saved due to the influence of this church. It is my daily prayer that the world will see HIM through me.

Sheila H.
August 1976  New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Age 10

I had gone to church all of my life and had learned about salvation and being lost at an early age but never felt lost myself until August 1976. I was sitting in church on a Sunday morning and a lady in the 116 church got up and sang a song. During this song is when the conviction hit me. I was only 10 and did not realize that I was lost. My mother asked if I was lost and I said I did not know. Our revival started that night. I did not go to the altar the first night. I knew that is what I had to do. It was either the second or third night of the revival and I said to God, if just one other person would go to the altar, then I would go. A man in the church went to the altar and I immediately went after him. I just remember praying to God to save me. I do not know how long I was there but I got saved that very night. I just felt a real heaviness lifted off of my chest and felt peace. I told about my salvation that very night but then began to doubt it. I doubted it for many years but the Lord has let me know that is where I was saved and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am saved and I got saved that very night.

Todd I.
January 1990 Home
Age 28

I started attending McFerrin with my wife, Angie, before we were married in 1989. It reminded me so much of the church I had gone to as a boy but I had no idea of what salvation was truly about until I heard the true gospel preached here. When I did realize I was lost, it was the worst feeling I had ever experienced. The burden of sin was so great that I put myself in the floor and prayed as hard as I could. Then God picked me up with sweet peace in my heart. I didn't shout but I was lifted up spiritually and rejoiced in my heart. God truly has blessed me ever since that night and I know how God gives His people the strength to honor and serve Him every day.

Amy F.
October 1984 In the Old Building on McFerrin Avenue
Age 11

I was saved on a Sunday morning in October 1984 at the age of 11. For a little while I knew something did not feel right and every time Brother Taylor would give an altar call, I would hide in the restroom. But I did not know what was wrong. One Sunday, Sister Jana Dickens came to me and asked if I was lost and needed to pray. At that moment I realized I was lost. I began to pray in a pew that was a few rows from the back of the old church building on McFerrin Avenue. I do not know how long I had been praying before someone asked me if I trusted Him to save me and told me to just trust Him. I remember thinking, “Yes, I trust You”. There was a small moment that I do not remember and cannot explain, but I know I felt peace and that was when the Lord saved my soul.

James J.
Fall Revival Sycamore Valley Missionary Baptist Church

I was saved when I was about 8 years old during a fall revival at Sycamore Valley Missionary Baptist Church. The church is located in the southern part of Macon County, not far from the Smith County line. I was the youngest of four children. We were raised on a hillside farm not far from the church. We were greatly blessed with godly parents that loved us, taught us to work hard, and how to provide for ourselves, but the greatest thing that they did for us was to take us to church and teach us about Jesus. As I set these words down to tell my experience of salvation, I cannot put a value on church going, godly parents. I cannot express how important it is for parents to take their children to church. My father was a preacher, and as a child I was taken to church quite often. Often times he would pastor two churches at one time. He helped in many revivals. Between regular Sunday services, business meetings, summer and fall revivals, weddings, funerals, graveyard decorations, and creekside baptizings, church was my second home. I have cried at church, slept at church, got in trouble at church, been punished at church, gotten sick at church, and thank God I got saved at church. It was at the Sunday morning service of the fall revival when I first felt the hand of God. The church was full of people. The church doors were left open and people were standing on the outside. The preacher had finished his sermon, and they had given an altar call. There were 149 several people on the mourners’ bench seeking God. I was sitting on the front row of the “a-women” section (if facing the pulpit, these were the benches that were lined up to the left where many of the women of the church sat, the opposite side or amen section is where many of the men sat). I was sitting there with my mother. I was just a little kid without a care in the world. I have no memory of the sermon that day, not even who delivered it. My world was so simple and comfortable. That was all about to change, As I sat there on that bench, the sun was shining in thru the open back door to my left and just in front of me, young people were seeking God on the mourners bench. My oldest brother came over, sat down beside me, placed his hand on my back and lowly said my name. At that moment the bright sunlight was over shadowed by darkness as the crushing weight of conviction set up in my heart. Where only moments before a young boy with a carefree heart sat, there was now a heart blacker than the darkest of nights. My brother did not ask me if I was lost, he did not have too. All he did was come over and lightly touch me and call my name, God did the rest. Where would I be today if he had not followed God’s direction that day? Oh how important it is to follow God’s calling during his services. It only goes to show how even such a small action on someone’s part can be such a wonderful blessing to someone else. As I sat there in that complete darkness, I turned to God. For the many, many times that I sat under the preaching of the Gospel, I knew in whom to call and trust. So many times I had heard my father preach “you must forsake all things, brother, sister, father, mother, and all possessions”. I was just a small child, and if salvation had cost anything at all, then I was in bad shape, for I had nothing. Thank God it’s free. As I sat there praying to God, I began giving up all that was dear to my heart. One at a time I gave up each member of my family. As I would see them in my mind, each one would fade into the darkness. After giving up my last family member, my mother, I was left with a vast dark hole in front of me. At that point I came to God with a broken and contrite heart. I put all my trust in Jesus. When I let go of everything, even my own life, when I cast my very life in that dark hole, trusting Jesus to catch me, God saved me. After that there is a small amount of time that I have no memory. The next thing I remember is the church service was over and I was standing beside the back door upon the pulpit talking to a friend and how bright the sun was shining thru that door. No greater feeling has ever been felt than on that day. It was such a blessing for I became lost and was saved at the very same spot. I do not know how anyone can carry that burden and fear for any time at all. Thank God they do not have to.

Marilyn J.
Haysville Missionary Baptist Church
Age 12

I was saved at Haysville Missionary Baptist Church in Lafayette, TN. I was about 12 years old and it was summer revival. I had gone through the whole week not feeling conviction. On Saturday, I got under conviction during church. I went to the altar that day, that night, and on Sunday. It was on Sunday that I had been on the altar all through the alter service. Church had dismissed, but several of us were still on the altar. I got up to go back to my seat but as I neared my seat, I felt as if I should turn around and go back to the altar. It was when I turned around that God saved me. What a wonderful day!!!

Carla P.
October 4, 1977 McFerrin Baptist Church
Age 11

I was saved during the fall revival at McFerrin. On Monday night after the sermon, Sis. Joan Oldham came and asked me if I was lost. I was already lost, but when she asked me I knew I had to go to the altar to pray. I prayed that night, but I wasn’t saved. I remember the next day being the longest day. I was miserable, and I remember my Mom talking to me after school. We went back to church that night. I sat by my Dad that night in the A-men corner. I didn’t think the sermon would ever end so I could go pray. Sometime that night as I was at the altar I ended up on the floor. The Lord spoke peace to my soul that night.

Luke P.
July 30, 2008 My Bedroom
Age 8

One Wednesday night during the revival, I was listening to Bro. Johnny’s sermon. After a while, my heart just started getting heavier and heavier as the night went on. After that I knew I was lost. While I was in my car, I was thinking about what would happen if I died right then and where I would go. When we got home, I went straight to my bed and prayed. About 15 minutes after I had started praying, the burden was gone and I knew I was saved.

Patty R.
August 18, 1965 Summer Revival at New Bethel
Age 11

It was on Wednesday night August 18, 1965 at New Bethel’s summer revival. Bro. F. L. Ray was our pastor and Bro. Taylor was the helper. I knew I needed to be saved but had never admitted I was lost. I went to the altar for the first time that night. The burden was so heavy on my heart I felt I could not leave the altar. I remember praying and the burden lifted and the most amazing peace came over me. I knew God had saved me and never doubted it for a second. The next night I joined the Church and was baptized by Bro. Ray in Masker Creek. I was 11 years old. I thank God for saving me and thankful for my wonderful parents who took me to Church.


Frances S.
Church Camp July 1967
Age 9

I was saved during church camp when I was nine years old. Because I didn’t grow up in a Missionary Baptist church, I was not taught I must be saved to have eternal life in Heaven. As a young adult I attended New Bethel Baptist Church with my husband (who was a member), and I felt comfortable as a visitor only. We had explored other churches and found quite a difference among all. Some were too big, like attending an event at TPAC, too small, or too formal and reserved (how can you feel the Holy Spirit in an indifferent environment?) …we never found a church that fit!! My mother-in-law suggested we attend services at McFerrin Missionary Baptist Church because she knew the pastor, Elder Kenneth Massey, since childhood. To make a long story short, we were visitors for a long time before we joined as I struggled with my salvation. Believe me, I did a lot of research . . . I went to the Reference Desk at the local library and researched Baptist churches and was amazed to learn so many divisions in the Baptist faith with varying degrees of similarities and differences. The more I studied the more I was confused!! Oh, how I prayed for clarification! I had spoken with Brother Johnny after revival one evening to find out what I must do to join the church, and it still took more time before I made the walk to join. Although I had been baptized at nine years old and it was not be an ordained pastor in the Missionary Baptist faith, I was advised to be baptized after I had told the congregation of my salvation experience. I am grateful to Elder Eugene Brown in loaning me a tape on salvation and reading the booklet “Cold Water for a Thirsty Soul”. I recall as he gave me those items he said, “Your husband won’t be able to get you into heaven, it is between you and God.” I read the booklet that evening and plugged the tape in my car the next morning on my commute to work. It became apparent to me that my salvation was obtained during church camp at nine years of age (July 1967). At that point in time, the Apollo Space Missions were in full force, and as we were gathered around the campfire that Friday evening, we were wrapping up the week and preparing to leave for our respective home the next day. In between singing songs of praise, people shared their testimonies. As I gazed up at the vast and sparkling sky, I could almost envision the space capsule orbiting and it was if God was holding it dearly in his hand. All at once I felt such heartache for Jesus in the pain and suffering He had to have endured on the cross so that I could be forgiven of my sins and have eternal life. Although I had heard the Bible stories all my life, Jesus’ death on Calvary had not impacted my emotions until that moment. Tears were flooding my face uncontrollably and as I prayed, I felt a calmness envelope me as if God himself was placing His arms around me to console me and affirm everything was all right. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my parents that I wanted to join the church, so the following Sunday morning after our preacher’s sermon, I joined our church. I was baptized that evening by Reverend Horace Mounts in Morristown, Tennessee, at the First Christian Church in 1967. When I joined McFerrin, I was baptized by Bro. Johnny Carver on the last Sunday in December 1998.

Brad S.
October 1981 McFerrin Baptist Church
Age 12

The Lord saved me when I was 12 years old. I remember the sweetest peace came over my soul and then almost immediately the devil came on the scene and tried to tell me that I wasn’t saved. So I didn’t tell anybody that night or the next 4 years. I would pray every day and ask the Lord to lead me and do the right things. Then one Sunday when I was 16, Bro. Taylor gave an invitation for membership. When I had come to church that day, I had an easy feeling about myself. I prayed throughout the sermon, and God let me know that I was taken care of and to put the devil aside. So I joined the church that day and finally, publicly, let everyone know that I was saved. And since that day, I have no doubts and look forward to seeing Jesus someday.

Melanie S.
Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church
Age 9

I, along with my two brothers and two sisters, was raised in a small 247 church in East Tennessee named Sunrise Missionary Baptist Church, even though it was technically under the southern Baptist umbrella, they always taught true salvation. But more importantly, my parents taught us that God would let you know when you were lost and God would let you know when you’re saved. Well, when I was nine years old, I was playing with my Barbies in my room when I came under conviction. It was almost like the Holy Spirit spoke out loud and told me I needed to be saved. I know He didn’t speak in an audible voice, but that’s how clear it was. I remember thinking that I needed to wait until I get to church so I could pray at the altar, not that we were taught you had to be at the altar or even at church to get saved, but for whatever reason it’s what I felt I had to do. So when Sunday morning rolled around I sat with my mother 2-3 rows back from the altar area and waited until the preacher was finished. I don’t remember if he gave an altar call or even what he preached on, but I ran to the altar as soon as he was done and prayed. I don’t remember what I prayed or how long I was there, but I know when I got up I had a peace and didn’t feel the need to pray anymore. I knew I was saved. As time went on I never had any doubts until after I was married and had both of my children that doubt crept in. We were still at Victory MBC at the time. I think because I was comparing my salvation experience to others that seemed more dramatic or because I didn’t come up shouting or seeing stars, that maybe I didn’t get it when I was 9. I allowed this to eat at me for several years. I would go to the altar to pray about it and I prayed at home and everywhere in between. I just couldn’t get that peace back or confirmation that I was saved. Finally, one evening I was at my breaking point and I called our preacher, Bro. Tim Binion, he couldn’t talk right then, so I left a message and then I called my dad for advice or prayer or something. I don’t think I knew what to ask for, and that’s when my dad told me to try to “plead the promises”. I had never heard of that before and asked what he meant. He said to go to God with His promises, I still wasn’t sure how to do that or which ones to use, so he gave me a starting point with Romans 10:9. To be honest, I still didn’t think that would really help. But after hanging up with him, Bro. Binion returned my call. I told him what was going on and do you know what advice he gave me? To plead the promises. Something I had never heard of before, and yet both my father and the preacher told me to try it. Well believe it or not I was still a little skeptical, but this had gone on long enough and felt like the Lord was ignoring me, so I was willing to give it try. I opened my Bible, got on my knees and began talking to the Lord about his promises starting with Romans 10:9 …if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. And like a light switch clicked in my head… of course I believed that… I had never doubted or questioned that… I knew he had saved me when I was 9. God restored my peace and joy and I have not once doubted it since.

Levi S.
Lyons Missionary Baptist Church, Louisville, KY Sat. October 10, 2009 around 8:30 PM
Age 10

I was saved on Saturday, October 10, 2009, during a revival at Lyons Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky around 8:30 PM. My father was the helper in the revival and was preaching the night I got saved. There were five people seeking the Lord that night and two were saved. One other person had been saved at the beginning of the week. I was only seeking for about five or ten minutes when I felt peace come over me and the burden magically disappeared. I was sitting in the sixth pew back from the front of the church. I joined Gateway Missionary Baptist Church on October 18, 2009, and was baptized on October 25, 2009.

Cathy V.
June 2, 1963
Rayon City Missionary Baptist Church

I was saved on June 2, 1963 at Rayon City Missionary Baptist Church. I had always enjoyed going to church, singing with the kids and being with so many people that loved me. However, a few weeks before I was saved, I had noticed that the words of the songs seemed to be bothering me and the pastor’s sermons were suddenly making me think and they hadn’t in the past. As the next few weeks went by, I tried hard to shut out the songs and sermons and think of anything else, but the harder I tried, the louder they were in my mind and heart. Then two weeks before the revival, the pastor’s wife (Sister Blanch Smith) came to me and asked me if I was lost. I don’t remember answering her; all I remember is running to the altar. After praying and believing with all my heart that God could and would save me, the most calming sweet peace came over me. It was at that moment I knew I was saved and the Heaven daddy preached about and mama talked about was all mine.

Teresa W.
July Revival in 1981
Brattontown Missionary Baptist Church
Age 16

I went to church that evening in July believing I was already saved. I was deceived around age eight and baptized. Shortly after service began that night I heard many testimonies, witnessed God’s Spirit moving around the church house, and I began to realize something was different in the people surrounding me. I knew I didn’t have what they were talking about. Sis. Joyce Flippin came to me and asked if I was lost. I immediately felt conviction, burdened, and great sorrow that I had never felt before. I quickly made my way to the altar and began to pray. The bench was full that night with sinners and many Christians were gathered around, singing, praising God and praying one for another. Many were saved that night including me. I’m so thankful for God’s Amazing Grace!