M i s s i o n S t a t e m e n t

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association is dedicated to spreading the teachings of

Christianity and serving the community through faith-based initiatives. Our mission is to

foster spiritual growth, support those in need, and promote love and compassion in all

our endeavors. We aim to create a welcoming envirornment where individuals can

deepen their relation with God and find solace in the community of believers. Through

prayer, fellowship and outreach programs, we strive to make a positive impact on the

lives of those we encounter.

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association History

Rev. Gwendolyn R. Jones became the first female Moderator in 150 years

Moderator Gwendolyn Jones has achieved significant milestones. Moderator Jones made history becoming the first female in the history of Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association to be ordained April 26, 2015. In September 2018 she became the first female in150 years ever in the history of Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association to serve as 1st Vice Moderator of the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association. In 2019, she transitioned into the role of Moderator-at- Large. Currently she holds the seat as THE MODERATOR.

In September 2020 former Moderator Spencer Jones and his wife, Moderator Gwendolyn Jones, made history as the first husband and wife Moderators. During the annual session service of the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association, Rev. Jones passed the gavel to Moderator Gwendolyn Jones in another significant and historic moment!

She became the first female to become Assistant Pastor at New French Broad from 2015 until she made history again being elected first female Pastor of St. John Baptist Church, May 3, 2020.

Her motto: “Team Work Makes the Vision Work!”

The Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association, founded in 1868, is an organization of African-American churches in Western North Carolina, paralleling the White Southern Baptist Convention. The Association comprises several axillaries, including the Ushers Union, Association Choir, Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and the Church Union, which began in 1867 to unite Baptist churches for fellowship and instruction in New Testament Practices. Its assembly is in E. Flat Rock, North Carolina. The name originated from the muddy water that ran through East Flat/Hendersonville area whose waters never became clear. However, the Association has evolved producing clear visions, goals, auxiliaries, and districts enlarging from 7 churches to as many as 36 united Baptist churches for missionary, fellowship, and instruction in Biblical practices. The Association provided a legacy in the community that has inspired a rich history for generations to come to uphold the values of faith, unity, and foundational biblical training and missions.

History of our Association
Fo u nded in 1868

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association

A r d e n' s H i s t o r i c a l O r i g i n

of

Mud C r e e k M i s s i o n a r y B a p t i s t A s s o c i a t i o n

According to a 1910 archived history, the Association was organized at St. John Baptist Church in Arden, with notable attendees including Reverend Caleb Johnson, B. F and C. W. Hemphill, and Rev. Lindsay. Asheville First Church, St. Luke, Swannanoa, Concord, Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Mills River, Davidson River, Brevard, and a few others were included. Approximately 1,500 members represented the founding churches of Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association. Despite some opposition, a Sunday School Union was also formed. Efforts began to establish a school in Arden. Home Mission work continued in poor struggling churches while the Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary Baptist Society raised funds if representation was present. The first reported Secretary of the Association was Professor Robinson of Hendersonville, elected in 1917. St. John "A" Missionary Baptist Church is the sole Baptist Church located in South Asheville and has been affiliated with the Association since at least 1919 with several pastors having served as officers.

According to the 1975 Historian report, Rev. T.J. Davis served as Moderator from 1931-33 and was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Dixon. The fourteen acres of land that the Association had purchased began to be developed in 1934. That same year, the Fall Session was instituted. In 1936 Mrs. Faye Mauldin was elected Corresponding Secretary.

Glade Creek Historical Origin

of

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association

As quoted by 92-year-old Paris Mooney of Glade Creek, NC,

“In the summer of 1868 a group of white Ministers, Reverend List Ellison, Frank Jordan, and, Acek Beck invited a delegation of Negro Preachers to meet with them at Mud Creek, and there they organized the Mud Creek Baptist Association. The first meeting of the association was held at French Broad in the vicinity of the present French Broad Church. The second Association was held at Oak Grove Church in Brevard North Carolina.

The Reverend List Ellison donated a track of land and the newly organized association held its first meeting under a BRUSH HARBOR.

The first church was a log house but later was replaced by a frame building. Reverend Charlie W. Hemphill, Reverend Sol Lindsey, and Reverend Dave Anderson were among those compromising the committee that organized the Mud Creek Association. Reverend Charlie W. Hemphill was the first moderator, and Reverend Frank Hemphill was the first Missionary Preacher of the Association.

Through the work of the Missionary Preacher, assisted by several pioneer preachers, the Association spread from the place of its organization, Transylvania County, to Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Cherokee, and Macon.

The first effort toward having an Association School was at Waynesville which failed, later property was purchased at Arden, and a school was built. This was lost by fire. The next effort was at Brevard which also failed, then the Association centered its efforts on establishing an Old Folks Home at Flat Rock.

Deacon Mooney could not give us exact dates nor the number of years the officers served, but stated that Reverend C.W. Hemphill was the first Moderator and Reverend Dave Anderson was second”.

As history continues to reveal, the association is organized and held its meetings quarterly on Fridays before the 5th Sunday and continued through Sunday. Later, sessions were held Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. because of poor attendance. By-laws, policies, and new positions with auxiliaries were established to effectively carry out the mission and vision of the Association.

The Woman's Home Foreign Missionary Society

Current President Sister Rosa Roberts

In 1917, the Ministers and Layman recognized the need for a women's auxiliary within the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association. The women believed they could serve more effectively if they came together quarterly throughout the year, with each church represented by a small fee. In August 1917, seven churches were enrolled. Sister O.R. Gordon served as the first president for two years.

In 1922, Sister Susie E. Davis was elected president and served faithfully for 42 years until 1963. Under her leadership, the organization grew substantially, and its mission objectives were firmly established. By the time she stepped down, 28 churches were enrolled. Her words still echo today: “He who does God’s work will get God’s pay.”

In 1963, Sister Gertrude Forney Graham became president, serving until 1971. She introduced new initiatives and formed various committees. One notable project involved awarding a trophy to the church that raised the most funds for the Assembly site, significantly boosting the treasury. During her term, the society began sponsoring a child in Haiti, supported by Dr. Wesley Grant Sr., helped build a library in Africa, and contributed to opening a Raleigh office for state personnel. From 1971 to 1990, Sister R.C.M. Grant led the society. Funds raised during her leadership helped build the beautiful Assembly Hall and later furnished it with carpeting. She also founded the Nurses Council on October 13, 1978, and in 1979 established the Young Adult Department. Bibles were purchased in memory of deceased members, with designated Bible funds reported from the churches. These funds also helped repay money borrowed from Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association. During her tenure, the Deacons’ Wives Council was formed, later renamed the Deaconess Council.

Sister Minnie Simpson was elected in April 1990. Her contributions included organizing a Prayer Day service, collecting and distributing canned goods to the needy, and conducting annual workshops in April 1992 and 1993 with Miss Eva Johnson, then president of the Women's State Convention. Her leadership focused on outreach to the unsaved and re-engaging churches that had lost active Missionary Circles. A quarterly newsletter was launched to provide updates on meetings, workshops, and associational news, with ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of mission work.

In July 1999, Sister Rosa B. Roberts was elected president. Her accomplishments include expanding support across Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Polk, and Transylvania counties. She organized banner displays and launched the Yvonne Kelly Missionary Conference, offering six classes ranging from Cradle Roll (ages 0–3) to sessions for ministers, pastors, and deacons. Under her leadership, a steam table was donated by New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. She and her husband, made history as the first husband-wife team to simultaneously serve as Moderator and Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society President. She championed the "Count on Me" initiative, organized the Woman’s Home and Foreign Mission Choir under the direction of Sister Harriet Ray, and partnered with "Hearts with Hands" to support relief efforts worldwide. Her administration also received the A-1 Certificate from the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association and consistently supported the senior, young adult, and youth departments for 18 years through the G.B.S. Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Convention.

The Society continues to strive toward reaching and implementing "Christ in Every Home" and aims to establish its Missionary Circles in every church. “For where there is unity, there is strength.”

At the October 1, 2021, quarterly session, Elder Alfred Blount volunteered to serve as president, giving Sister Rosa Roberts a well-deserved break after 23 years of service. He became the first male president of the Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society under Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association. Sister Rosa Roberts was voted back into office on October 14, 2022 and continues to fulfill her role as of 2025.

Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society

Objectives

Local:

Count On Me Ministries, which includes support to Haiti Hearts With Hands (Global)Manna Food Banks: Buncombe County, McDowell County, Henderson County, Polk County, and Transylvania State and Foreign: State Missions, Baptist Assembly, Shaw University, Central Children's Home, J.J. Johnson, Lott Carey/Global Missions, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Africa, among others.

Its Purpose:

To bring together missionary circles to study and plan for systematic missionary service in the Baptist churches of the cities and state. To stimulate spiritual growth on the part of all members through the study of the Bible and other missionary books. To enlist all members to become active members locally, statewide, and in the foreign field for the cause of Christ. To enlist churches that do not have functioning missionary circles as part of our outreach ministry.

History of Woman’s Home & Foreign Missionary Society

under Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association