The Birth of CenterPoint Baptist Church: The Collaborative Role of ABCUSA and DCBC

The inception of a church is an intricate tapestry woven from the threads of dedication, diligent work and financial aid. This truth resonates profoundly in the narrative of the establishment of CenterPoint Baptist Church in June 2009. The American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) and the DC Baptist Convention (DCBC), under the stewardship of Dr. Jeffery Haggray and Dr. Robert Cochran, provided invaluable resources and support that led to the church’s formation. These leaders and their organizations played a crucial role in the genesis of CenterPoint Baptist Church.

The journey to establishing CenterPoint Baptist Church began in 2008 with a unified vision to create a spiritual haven for the community centered on answering the question, “How do we establish a community for the churched, de-churched and unchurched?” The vision for CenterPoint Baptist Church was shared by and aligned with the mission of DCBC and ABCUSA. Both organizations are known for their longstanding commitment to the growth of Baptist churches and, thus, commenced a fruitful partnership.

Financial resources are essential to creating a new church. ABCUSA and DCBC orchestrated grants and donations, ensuring the availability of funds for church planting, procuring necessary equipment and initiating operational structures. This financial backing allowed the leaders of CenterPoint Baptist

Church to focus on their spiritual mission, free from the burden of financial constraints. Beyond financial aid, DCBC offered a diverse range of resources vital to the establishment of CenterPoint Baptist Church. These resources included leadership training programs for the church’s leaders, equipping them with the necessary skills to effectively shepherd their congregation. In addition, they provided educational resources for the church’s ministry programs, thereby preparing the church to better serve its congregation and reach out to the community. ABCUSA and DCBC also offered guidance in administrative affairs, helping to establish CenterPoint’s bylaws and governance structures, and assistance in setting up sound financial management systems, ensuring the church’s long-term sustainability and accountability to its congregation and the broader community.

A key facet of CenterPoint Baptist Church’s mission was to actively engage with its community. ABCUSA and DCBC supported this mission by providing resources and guidance to develop and execute community outreach programs. These programs enabled the church to profoundly impact its community, offering spiritual guidance, social assistance and charitable services to those in need.

The establishment of CenterPoint Baptist Church demonstrates the unwavering support and substantial resources provided by ABCUSA and DCBC. Their financial backing, resource provision, leadership training and guidance on community involvement were instrumental in the church’s inception and ongoing success, even to today.

CenterPoint Baptist Church’s establishment illuminates the power of a shared vision and mutual support within the faith community. It highlights the commitment of leaders like Dr. Haggray and Dr. Cochran and organizations like ABCUSA and DCBC to the evolution and progress of Baptist churches. Today, CenterPoint Baptist Church stands not merely as a place of worship, but also as a testament to the resourceful and devoted efforts of these two pivotal leaders and their organizations.