In June of 1971, Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church  sent Brother Cleveland “Cleve” Burdette from Hawaii to Rome, NY with the mission to begin a mission. He moved via Military transfer to Griffiss AFB in August of that year.  He established a mission work that became known as Bethany Missionary Baptist Church. However, later that year, Brother Burdette announced his plans to retire from the Military and attend seminary in Little Rock, AR.

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In April 1972, Brother Hugh Robinson became pastor and moved to Rome June 3, 1972.  Soon after the Robinson family's arrival, Sponsorship (temporarily) changed over to Landmark MBC in Jacksonville, Arkansas until the Mission work organized as Mohawk Missionary Baptist Church on August 5, 1972.

           

We were able to purchase a Parsonage in August 1972, and purchased property on Lamphear Road in September 1972 for the building of a church. We began digging & building on March 23, 1976 (where we still stand to this day), and had a Formal Dedication on August 5, 1972.

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In April 1995, Pastor Robinson resigned from Mohawk MBC to become pastor at Port Byron MBC, and since then we have had the following Pastors:

 

In 1996, Brother David Dever became pastor until September 2001.

 

In 2001, Brother George Dever became pastor of MMBC until August 31, 2004 when he moved up to Maine to become pastor of Antioch in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.

 

In 2010, Brother Andy Wilbanks was called in August (10th) 2009 to become pastor  but never moved into the area & resigned approximately February (10th) 2010.

 

In 2012, During the April NELMBA association meeting, Brother Wayne Lewis had given report on of the church & stated that he was “the acting pastor” – to which, by his own testimony, was as if God Himself said “that’s what I’ve been waiting for” – along with another pastor stating “y’all heard that, right?”  ** Soon after that meeting, Brother Lewis had heard from 2 or 3 others regarding a potential pastor candidate –  Gene Horn Jr

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In September of 2012, Gene Horn Jr came to Rome and preached in view of a call.

 

On October 20 (during a quarterly NELMBA association meeting), Gene Horn Jr was ordained as pastor of the church and moved to the area during Thanksgiving weekend (November 2012).  Pastor Gene Horn Jr continue to serve to this day.