A Brief History of
The Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association
This Association was organized in 1872. With this Association coming
into being things began to move rapidly in every area of Christian
activities. At once men like Elder James Poindexter, Elder E.H.
Stewaret, P.J. Fossett, J.M. Meeks, and W.H. Rickman, came to the
forefront. These men sowed preparedness and much concern about
the rest of the brethren. The whole area from Urbana to Zanesville,
was covered by these brethren. Seemingly, overnight the Eastern
Union became the center of activity for all of the then existing
Association. In fact, it was then, the General Association was brought
into being, long
before it was know as the Ohio Baptist Convention. In this new
wilderness, these brethren found potentials for education, mission and
mutual help. Practically all the safeguards for personal security and
all the modern programming took shape in the minds and hearts of these
men. Eastern Union, aside from its fraternal and paternal relationship
with other Associations and churches outside of the Associations, became
the mecca for ministerial education.
Elders James Poindexter, Starks, J.M. Meeks, W.H. Stewart, Fox Shelton
and names too numerous to mention, formed and army of educators
dedicated to the education and welfare of their brethren. These men had
prophetic vision and apostolic zeal. This fellowship came to all the
Associations alike. The Providence, Western Union and Eastern Union
teamed up in an institute for the ministers, which was the forerunner of
the organization of the State Body later known as the General Associate
and still as the Ohio Baptist Convention.
Among the leading spirits as Moderators, Presidents, and Leaders in this
great association that are no longer with us were Elder James
Poindexter, Elder Starks, Elder Shelton, who served both in the Eastern
and Western Union Associations, Elder Phillips, H.H. Teague, B.R. Smith,
J.H. Burks and Reverend J.W. Ashburn. Also, Dr. E.W. Moore, Dr. Nollie
Scarborough, Rev. H.H. Teague, Rev. R.F. Hairston, Sr., Rev. George
Washington, Rev Jacob Ashburn, Rev Sandy Ray, Dr. James W. Parrish, Rev.
Frank C. Cleveland, Rev. L.H. Johnson, Rev. B.L. Brantley, Rev. A.M.
Thomas, Dr. Percy Carter, Dr. H Beecher Hicks, and Dr. E.A. Parham.
During the Mid-Year Session of The Eastern Union Missionary Baptist
Association, May 3, 1979, held at the Pleasant Green Baptist Church of
Portsmouth, OH, Moderator Charles Nobel several recommendations, one of
which was to establish a Bible College - The Eastern Union Bible
College. The recommendation was adopted. The following persons were
appointed to serve: Dr. E.A. Parham President, Dr. Leon Troy, Vice
President, Dr. I.T. Brantley, Academic Dean, Dr. A. Wilson Wood, Acting
Secretary and Bursar, Dr. Percy Carter, Old Testament Professor, Dr.
Charles Booth, Assistant Old Testament Professor, Dr. I.T. Bradley, New
Testament Professor, Dr. Keith Troy, Assistant New Testament Professor,
Rev. A.L. Mason, Baptist Doctrine Professor, Dr. A. Wilson Wood,
Assistant Baptist Doctrine Professor, Dr. Odell Waller, Church History
Professor, Dr. G. Thomas Turner, Assistant Church History Professor and
DR. C.W. Noble, Chairman of Trustee.
On March 5, 1983, The Eastern Union Assembly Grounds was purchased. The
purpose of the Assembly Ground was for retreats, conferences and
educational programs to enhance the work of the local and major
assembles of The Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association. Many
retreats, conferences and seminars were held at this location during the
early and mid-eighties. However, due to the challenges of the nineties
and the cost of upkeep of the property, the Association had no other
choice but to sell the property.
In this 21st Century the Eastern Union is blessed to have six Past
Moderators, Dr. Charles Nobel, Rev. James Frazier, Dr. Donald
Washington, Dr. G. Thomas Turner, Dr. Harold Hudson and Dr. Odell
Waller, still working to keep the spirit of the Association alive.
Moderators
Elder James Poindexter
--------------------------------- 1872 - 1887
Elder D.S.
Gee
--------------------------------- 1887 - 1893
Elder R.C.
Minor
--------------------------------- 1893 - 1899
Elder W.L.
Burr
--------------------------------- 1899 - 1903
Elder J.R.
Green
--------------------------------- 1903 - 1905
Elder P. D.
Phillips
--------------------------------- 1905 - 1911
Elder B.R.
Reed
--------------------------------- 1911 - 1914
Elder J.B.
Pius
--------------------------------- 1917 - 1923
Rev. J. H.
Burk
--------------------------------- 1917 - 1923
Rev. J. H.
Burk
--------------------------------- 1923 - 1929
Rev. J. G.
Orr
--------------------------------- 1929 - 1945
Rev. J.
Ashburn, Jr.
--------------------------------- 1945 - 1950
Rev. B.L.
Brantley
--------------------------------- 1950 - 1959
Rev. M.B.
Myers
--------------------------------- 1958 - 1973
Rev. Frank C.
Cleveland ---------------------------------
1973 - 1983
Dr. Charles
W. Nobel
--------------------------------- 1983 - 1985
Rev. Rufus N.
Simpson
--------------------------------- 1985 - 1987
Rev. N.
Spence Glover
---------------------------------
- 1987
Rev. James
Frazier
--------------------------------- 1987 - 1991
Dr. Donald J.
Washington ---------------------------------
1991 - 1996
Dr. G. Thomas
Turner
--------------------------------- 1996 - 1998
Dr. Harold A.
Hudson
--------------------------------- 1998 - 2001
Dr. Odell
Waller
--------------------------------- 2001 - 2007
Dr. John S.
Little
--------------------------------- 2007 - Present
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