The History of Green Pasture Baptist Church

Milledgeville, Georgia was growing and changing in the 1920s, and no more evident was that growth than in the River Hill community, where in 1927, a small group of Christian believers began having prayer services in their homes. The Spirit of the Lord was magnified and these faithful few decided to step out on faith in the bonds of Christian fellowship to begin their own church.

As the membership grew, these believers needed a larger and permanent place to worship. They acquired Carl Reeves’ blacksmith shop, which was located on a hill not far from the Oconee River. Reverend I. R. Havior banded with these believers and became the congregation’s first Pastor. Reverend Havior, Reverend Willie J. Davis (also known as Rev. Battle Axe), Deacon Joe Kemp ( a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church-East Baldwin), Brother Frank Thompson, and Brother Grady Trice assisted the congregation with acquiring the shop. The congregation continued to worship without a permanent name for the church.

After Reverend Havior’s tenure ended in 1940, Reverend W. G. Rooks became the second Pastor of this flock. Under Reverend Rook’s leadership, the congregation grew and needed an even larger place to worship. In that same year, the membership, led by Deacon Joe Kemp, took the necessary steps to obtain a tract of land that originally belonged to the City of Milledgeville. The church moved to a pasture at the bottom of the hill, where the present-day River Bend Apartment complex now sits on East McIntosh Street. Reverend Rooks saw the green grass in the pasture and stated that the location looked like a green pasture, hence the church’s name—Green Pasture.

Throughout these 98 years of existence, the church has achieved some great accomplishments. Reverend J. H. Russell was called to serve as the third Pastor. In the mid-1940s Reverend B. J. Lockhart was called as the fourth Pastor. Through his leadership, in 1947, the church moved to its present day location - 150 North Warren Street. The land was purchased in cash for $500 from Mrs. Lizzie Brown Whitlow. Deacon Grady Trice, Deacon Frank Thompson, and Deacon Andrew Robinson transferred the deed.

Reverend Gilbert R. Dean served as the fifth Pastor from 1957—1965. Reverend D. E. Gordon became the sixth Pastor in 1965 and oversaw several projects and upgrades to Green Pasture. In 1974, the Reverend B. W. Bentley was called as the seventh Pastor of GPBC. Reverend Bentley served God and his flock with unconditional love until his death on August 3, 1992.

On February 17, 1993, Reverend Nathaniel Snead,Jr., became the eighth Pastor of the church. Under Reverend Snead’s leadership, the church continued to grow physically and spiritually. Reverend Snead served faithfully until 1999.

In April 2001, Reverend James Harris, Jr. was called as the ninth pastor. The church achieved many great accomplishments under his leadership. During his 15-year tenure, worship services began every Sunday, and the membership increased to 500+ members. The Praise Team, Gospel Ensemble, and Male Usher Board was organized. Musicians were added to the services including a guitarist, drummer and keyboardist and a church van was purchased.

GPBC experienced tremendous spiritual growth and change. In July 2006, the church officially burned its mortgage, celebrating a huge milestone in its history advancing the vision that God had given Pastor Harris. On Friday, January 13, 2017 Pastor Charles Phillip was called as the tenth Pastor. He accepted the mandate to service GPBC as her next leader and visionary and the church began to shift. His first sermon was “Greater Is Coming” preached on Sunday, January 15, 2017.

Green Pasture has served as a pillar of refuge and a source of strength for its members and the Milledgeville community. Its history reflects the vision, the mission and the spirit of those who have labored in the Master’s vineyard since its inception.

In May 2022, Pastor Lee Wornum Jr. was prayerfully called as the eleventh pastor of Green Pasture Baptist Church. During his first year, the church welcomed five new members and established a Pre-Church Anniversary Musical. In 2025, two additional members united with the church. During this season, several major improvements were completed, including a new roof, upgraded gutters and leaders, updated security cameras, improved wiring and closed-circuit television equipment, a new Trustee Office computer, and two new sanctuary monitors with updated software.

On March 18, 2026, the congregation expressed appreciation for Pastor Wornum’s service as his tenure came to a close. As Green Pasture moves forward in faith, we trust God to send a pastor after His own heart to lead, serve, and shepherd His people into the next season of ministry and growth.