Brookwood Baptist Church | Our Mission, Covenant & History

Our Mission

We exist to glorify God by making disciples in our city and around the world.

Our Commitment To One Another

Church Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body of Christ.

We will seek, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.

We will seek to maintain family and private devotions; raise our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends.

We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the symbolic grave, we have a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life.

We will seek to watch over each other in love; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress; to cultivate sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

Our Story of Faith

Welcome to a brief history of Brookwood Baptist Church in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Founded in faith and community, our church has grown alongside the city, serving generations through worship, outreach, and discipleship. Whether you’re exploring churches for the first time or a longtime member reflecting on our shared journey, we hope this history inspires you.

Founding and Early Years (1957-1961)

Brookwood Baptist Church was organized on July 7, 1957, by a dedicated group who gathered in prayer, seeking God’s guidance to meet the need for another church in the area. The inaugural meeting took place in the former VFW Hall, drawing an impressive crowd: 118 attendees in Sunday School and 142 at the morning worship service. That very day, 72 individuals joined as charter members, marking the beginning of a vibrant community.

To house the growing congregation, a temporary building was quickly erected on Richlands Avenue. Soon after, the church acquired a five-acre plot outside the city limits for its permanent home—a site that, little did they know, would one day sit right in the heart of Jacksonville.

The church’s name, “Brookwood,” cleverly combines the last two syllables of the surrounding neighborhoods: Overbrook and Northwoods. Construction milestones followed swiftly: the pastor’s residence was completed and occupied on December 23, 1958. Over the years, it has been expanded and renovated—first as a childcare center, then to host a local ministry partner, and now as a dedicated space for fellowship and our expanding student ministry. The chapel and education building were finished and first used on December 17, 1961.

Growth and Outreach (1960s-1980s)

As Brookwood matured in its early decades, exciting developments unfolded. The church actively engaged the local mission field, with a special focus on Jacksonville’s military community, yielding abundant spiritual fruit. New programs and initiatives were launched to seize emerging opportunities, and Brookwood became a key member of the New River Baptist Association, fostering partnerships with like-minded congregations.

Missions and outreach have always been at the heart of Brookwood’s story, spanning local, national, and international efforts. Highlights include aiding Cuban refugees in the early 1960s, participating in local recreational leagues for community engagement, and sponsoring a Spanish Mission through the 1970s and 1980s.

In this era, visionary members launched a weekday daycare to reach young families. This ministry flourished, impacting 450-500 children at its peak and serving as Brookwood’s public face for nearly 30 years. Amid this growth, the church built a new 500-seat sanctuary and additional education spaces. Under the leadership of Dr. Van Murrell, Brookwood experienced significant expansion, with years of impactful ministry and outreach.

Challenges and Transition (1990s-2015)

Like many churches navigating change, Brookwood faced hurdles after Dr. Murrell’s tenure. The city of Jacksonville grew younger and more diverse, ministry approaches evolved, members relocated, and the church’s programs, people, and facilities began to show signs of decline. Small disagreements sometimes escalated into divisions, taking a toll on the congregation.

During a pastoral transition, Brookwood paused to assess its current reality and future path. With openness and a readiness to adapt—by God’s grace—the decision was made to close the daycare and redirect energy toward revitalization. Leaders believed the church’s historic fruitfulness could be restored.

Revitalization and Renewal (2016-Present)

The vision for renewal was straightforward: refocus on making disciples of Jesus, foster a unified multi-generational church through worship and programs, reengage the community with the Gospel, prioritize missions, and steward God’s blessings wisely.

Since 2016, God has blessed these efforts, maturing our church and broadening its impact. Challenges persist, but Brookwood remains resilient and faithful to Jesus, resulting in renewed vitality. We celebrate regular baptisms as people come to faith, and we actively partner in missions through prayer, teams, and financial support at local, state, national, and international levels. Now, as an over 65-year-old church, we’re thrilled to be sending out our first church plant—a testament to the Kingdom life thriving here once more.

Throughout our history, countless faithful members have passed through our doors. Hundreds have come to know the Lord through Gospel preaching, and thousands of lives have been enriched by our ministries. Our prayer is that God continues to empower us to make disciples in Jacksonville and beyond, for His glory and our good.

Who We Are