Church History

The Church History of
GOD’S CHURCH: NEW REVELATION

The evolution of our church history commenced in April 1994 when The Lord revealed to Pastor Donnell Horn, Sr., that there was a great need for him to organize a new branch of Zion.  In obedience to God’s instructions, Pastor Horn convened a meeting with a group of selected people at a local Denny’s restaurant. With God at the head of the table, steps began for what would later become the New Revelation Baptist Church.

In June 1994, Pastor Horn, Elder O. L. Jefferson, and the congregation of St. John Church of God in Christ welcomed New Revelation to use their building for worship services.  A charter was opened for those who desired to become a member of the newly established New Revelation Baptist Church.  Upon closing, there were 65 names listed on the inaugural charter.  The first Trustee Board was appointed with Deacon Evans Watkins as Chairman.  Sister Everlene Taylor was named Treasurer, Sister Vivian Buchanan was named Financial Secretary, and Sisters Marcella Thomas and Creola Collins were the remaining Directors.

Upon receipt of the official seal from the Secretary of State for Nevada, we officially became the New Revelation Missionary Baptist Church in July of 1994. In fact, on November 6, 1994, the first official Lord’s Day service was conducted at St. Mark Masonic Lodge, which was the original temporary meeting place.  At this location, we held weekly prayer, business meetings, Bible Study, and choir rehearsals in addition to Sunday worship.

On December 11, 1994, Pastor Horn and members met at 1311 West Owens to conduct prayer and dedication for what was planned as the official home of the New Revelation Baptist Church.  After significant prayer and hard work, the church held its first service at its new location on February 5, 1995.

Between February 5 and November 10, 1995, Pastor Horn issued the right hand of fellowship to 106 individuals.  Eleven of them came as candidates for baptism. The remaining months of 1994 and 1995 became a series of firsts for the church.

  • Our first communion was conducted on August 16, 1994
  • First baby boy christened – Brother Mikilaian McCoy (Pastor Horn’s grandson)
  • First baby girl christened – Sister Amber Carroll
  • First baptism candidate – Brother Deshawn Johnston
  • First ordained deacons – Deacons Michael Brown and Walter Marshall
  • First deaconesses – Deaconesses Rosielean Watkins, Sheila Scott Greer, Vivian Buchanan, Nettie Perry, and Beatrice Perry
  • First church nurse – Brother Nelson Lindsey
  • First choir president – Brother Thorn Boyd
  • First usher board president – Brother Eurel Bradley

Similarly, the first invitation for Pastor Horn and the New Revelation church to serve as a guest preacher and congregation was issued by Pastor Tyrone Seals and the Metropolitan Baptist Church.  

Pastor Horn then received a divine vision to relocate the church to its current location at 615 West Van Buren Avenue.  With devoted, hard-working members and many praying friends, the church body was able to restore the building from its prior use.  In February 1997, the membership dedicated its new location and held its first worship service at our current location. Later in the same year, New Revelation purchased in sum, 1309 West Owens with plans to erect the New Revelation Plaza.  In 2003, the church took out a mortgage to purchase our current location.

Under the spiritual leadership of Pastor Horn, new sons were licensed into the preaching of the gospel ministry – Ministers John Riley and Anthony Egnor.  Additionally, seven deacons were ordained – Deacons Kevin Dewberry, Rodney Johnson, Karven Bowen, Mac McCalister, James Jacob, Kevin Murray, and Curtis Wilson.

In February of 2004, the Church celebrated its ten-year anniversary with a citywide banquet.  During this celebratory milestone, Pastor Horn honored ten of the original church members, seven of whom were still present – Shelia Scott, Reesie Frazier, Janice Brumfield, Hazel Jones, Mack Smith, Evans Watkins, and Nelson Lindsey.  Following the ten-year anniversary of the New Revelation Baptist Church and Pastor Horn’s celebration of 30 years in the ordained ministry, God called the man who served as our establishmentarian, pastor, minister, teacher, preacher, father, and friend home to receive his heavenly reward.  On October 5, 2004. Pastor Horn swapped time for eternity and transitioned from life on earth to life eternal.  

Pastor Rogers Lynch III was elected by the corporate body as the Interim Pastor.  He served faithfully for over one year in the face of many obstacles and spiritual uncertainty stoked by the sudden passing of the founding pastor.  In compliance with the existing church bylaws and in collaboration with the Pride of the West District Moderator, Pastor Lynch shepherded the church through a seamless pastoral search and selection process.  The steadfast love of the Lord was manifested on December 2, 2005, and Reverend Ollie L. Reddick Jr. was elected the second pastor of New Revelation Baptist Church.

For eight years, Pastor Reddick captained the New Revelation ark.  During the second pastoral administration, the Church experienced significant deaths in the leadership – Deacon Clarence Key, Deacon James Jacobs, Deacon James Gordon, Minister David Morel, and Deacon John Leeper.  Despite the strong winds and storms of the season, God led the church faithfully through rough seas and into steady calm. Several members transferred and transitioned, but Pastor Reddick focused on expanding the preaching ministry of the church.  Under his leadership, New Revelation Baptist Church licensed our female into the preaching ministry – Minister Kathy Johnson.  

Under Pastor Reddick, the Church also issued licenses to Ministers Bruce Smith, Jeannette Williams, Robert McClemore, and Robert Williams.  Pastor Reddick ordained and elevated Reverends John Riley and Anthony Egnor.  Additionally, the office of Evangelist was instituted with licenses issued to Evangelists Angela Perry, Rosielean Watkins, and Lavette Brumfield.  Pastor Reddick also ordained Deacons David Stokely, Lamar McNeal, Donald McCall, Bruce Smith (prior to his call to preach), and Marcus Perry.  Two deaconesses were also added to the church leadership – Deaconesses Carolyn Stokely and Joann Johnson.

The church also began remodeling the building in 2008.  Many walls came down and petitions went up, doors were relocated, and the side-facing layout of the church was repositioned.  With the enablement and hard work of church members, a pastoral study, a secretarial office space, restrooms, and the fellowship hall were established.

Just like the Israelites, the members of New Revelation remained determined to keep our focus on God. After the departure of Pastor Reddick, Reverend M. Christopher Brown II, a man after God’s own heart, was elected Interim Pastor after preaching his initial sermon on March 3, 2014.  He was unanimously elected as the third pastor of the New Revelation Baptist Church on August 16, 2015.  On November 24, 2015, Reverend Brown was officially installed as the Senior Pastor.

The third pastoral administration has been committed to powerful teaching ministries, leadership development classes, and created a worship experience where spiritual gifts are manifested.  Fifth Sundays have been designated as Family and Friends Fellowship Sundays and each of the annual days have been refreshed for covenant and auxiliary ministries.  Several existing ministries have been renamed and new ones formed – Congregational Care member support, God’s Divine Angels dance troupe, H.Y.P.E – Holy Young People Empowered, the Men of Issachar men’s fellowship, Hospitality and Visitors, the Merry Makers senior members club, the Marriage and Family enrichment group, I Thirst outreach and evangelism, S.W.A.T. – Singles With A Testimony, the Social Media and Digital Outreach team, Intercessory Prayer ministry, the Safety and Security Team, and the Church Mortgage Task Force.

In addition to ministry expansion, the New Revelation Baptist Church edifice has been remodeled and audiovisual technology has been added to enable the church to carry its ministry outside of the walls of 615 West Van Buren.  Under the third pastoral administration, every worship experience operates under an asterisk (meaning that everything is subject to change under the guidance of the Holy Ghost).  Under Pastor Brown, the church has licensed two individuals into the preaching ministry – Ministers Alexander LaFleur and Nelson Lindsey and has several in training.  Pastor Brown also convened an ordination council for the elevation of five ministers, two deacons, and the church’s first ordination of a deaconess – Deaconess Johnnie Bell.

Under the dedicated leadership of Pastor Brown, the New Revelation Baptist Church of Las Vegas has been growing spiritually and numerically – with many former members returning for restoration to the body. The church has a new constitution and bylaws that captures the heart and commitment of the membership to abide by biblical principles in organization and operation. In addition to covenant ministries and auxiliaries, church programming now includes tutoring, food assistance, benevolence, and missions support.  Pastor Brown also sponsored the approval and dedication of the Pastor Donnell Horn, Sr. Fellowship Hall and Deacons James Jacobs and John Leeper Business Office.

On December 11, 2021, the corporate church body voted to begin executing business as God’s Church: New Revelation.  This rebranding is designed to welcome all faiths and members into the household of God and reinforces our existence as an organized organism that edifies the savior, evangelizes the sinner, and equips the saints.  As we decree and declare in our church theme song – “This is God’s Church.  We are New Revelation.  We are a hand clapping, feet stomping, Christ loving, faith walking – Church of the Living God.”

God’s Church: New Revelation
The Official Church History