Immediately after slavery, Black Christian men and women who yearned to extend their achieved freedom to all aspects of their lives set out with a burning sense of urgency to establish churches which would meet the special needs of former slaves. Four such churches were established in Houston County near the Wellston community as a part of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Connectional Church. They were Saint Paul, Avondale, Sandy Run and Oak Ridge. These churches served the needs of the black citizens of their respective communities well and came together in quarterly meetings under the banner of the Sandy Run Circuit. Not only did they serve the spiritual needs of their parishioners but also the educational and social needs. Each of these churches housed and supported a school for the education of youth and provided a meeting place for social and political activities. Many souls were saved on the Sandy Run Circuit, as well as many prayers were prayed, and God richly blessed our efforts by calling three of our own into the ministry – Rev. W.J. Johnson (1941), Rev. Milton Scott (1955), and Rev. Josh B. Kirvin (1970).
Seeds for a new CME Church were planted in 1967 when, under the pastorate of Rev. J.R. Dixon established the Dixon Tabernacle CME Church in Old Jody Town. The Central Georgia Conference had been studying the growth of Warner Robins and recognized the need for a station church that would meet the needs of the growing population. In August 1974, the youngest preacher on the district was appointed to the pastorate of the Sandy Run Circuit. The young preacher would be Rev. Donald R. Jordan. He would be armed with the mission to merge two congregations on the circuit into one. It was Rev. Jordan’s preaching, praying, and seeking the will of God that lead to the perfect moment to introduce each phase of that mission.
In 1976, after many hours of toils, snares, and prayers, the merger was finalized and the new church Warner Robins Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was formed. Under the very able leadership of Rev. Donald R. Jordan and the diligent work of dedicated members, the WRCME was founded, organized, and a beautiful edifice was built. A dream had become a reality, and on February 13, 1977, the first service in the new church building was held. The pastor’s first sermon was entitled: “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done.”
In 1987, Rev. Dr. Robert W. Green was appointed as the second pastor of WRCME. Under Rev. Green the church’s mortgage was paid in full and new Family and Community Life Center was erected. In November of 1996, Rev. Dr. Frederick Zak was appointed by Bishop Othal H. Lakey to serve as the third pastor. Rev. Zak’s theme for the church was “Reaching Up, Reaching In, and Reaching Out to God.” During this period, he would develop ministries in Radio Broadcast, Theater Advertising, and Audio Ministry.
Following the first “Olympic” Sessions of the Annual Conference in 2000, Bishop Othal H. Lakey would appoint Rev. Stevie B. McKinney to lead the WRCME family. Rev. McKinney sought to strengthen the social, mental, intellectual and spiritual development of his congregation. During his pastorate, the following ministries were added: 8:00 a.m. worship service, Noon Day Bible Study, monthly discipline and leadership classes and tutorial ministry. It was also during this period that a men’s and women’s ministry was established and children’s ministry was strengthened with the addition of Rossie T. Hollis and Mattie E. Coleman Circle Jr. Missionary Societies.
We are currently under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Lindsey P. Napier, Sr. Since his installation in 2006, Pastor Napier has been responsible for the completion of our new edifice complete with administrative offices, choir room, and conference room. Our pastor’s ministry is “A Growing Church Grows in the Word of God.”
We have provided for the spiritual growth of our members through morning worship, bible study, prayer meetings, Sunday school, and revivals. We have also reached out to the young people by involving them in activities such as Christian Youth Fellowship, Youth Choir, and Young Adult Council.
“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him.“
– Deuteronomy 18:15
About Our Pastor
Rev. Lindsey Phillip Napier, Sr.
Eleven years ago, the illustrious Rev. Lindsey Phillip Napier, Sr. was appointed to serve as the pastor of the Warner Robins C.M.E. Church in Warner Robins, GA. Prior to assuming this post, Rev. Napier served as the Presiding Elder of the Macon/Barnesville District of the Central GA Annual Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. For 40 years, he has served as a minister in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. His excitement about this new opportunity is reflected in his commitment to meet the needs of all people by preaching and teaching God’s Holy Word.
Our Pastor: Rev. Lindsey Phillip Napier, Sr.
Rev. Napier was born in Sylvester, Georgia to the parents of the late Rev. Lonnie Napier, Sr. and Mary Jane Napier Parker. He is a graduate of Worth County High School. Upon completion of high school, he would go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. He graduated in 1976 with a B.S. Degree in Biology. It was during this time that he would be called to preach and would later receive his license to preach at Williams Memorial C.M.E. Church in Augusta, GA. In 1978, Rev. Napier attended I.T.C. Phillips School of Theology and graduated with a Masters in Divinity. Rev. Napier would continue his studies at Valdosta State and Troy State University. He would later receive a Masters in Education and Education Specialist Degree. Recently, he retired from the Twiggs County Public Schools after 25 years in the field of education.
Pastor Napier is married to the former Phyllis Waitts. They are the proud parents of three children and one grandson.