The generous Grace of God in the authority of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ breathed the breath and birth of life into a branch of the body of Christ to be called OPEN BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH.

 

      Birth with purpose, OBBC held its first service at 840 Weeks St, in a house that was purchased for holding religious services. The living room and dining room were used and there had been no alterations done to the building. Nevertheless, “despising not small beginnings,” chairs were borrowed from Mount Olive Peacefulness Baptist Church for the eleven members who were present on that beautiful beginning of better days ahead. 

 

      As all who confess Christ as Lord of their lives, Open Bible understood suffering plays a purpose fulfilling part in serving Him. Wherefore, Open Bible met her first opposition from rallying neighbors against 840 Weeks St becoming a church when the church applied to the Board of Permits for a religious service use permit. In response, Open Bible engaged in fervent prayer that God would grant favor by representing their case. 

 

      As the case was brought before the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo California who also was faced with rallying neighbors who showed up equipped with their petitions and complaints, the outcome proved when God is for you He’s more than against you. Open Bible’s trust in Him granted their triumph in Him who never lost a case and forever retains final, even overruling say.

 

      Open Bible started out with a (60) day permit and a list of required regulations to meet and allbut by the Grace of God, Open Bible not only complied and completed every requirement, but engaged in expanding the territory with remodeling construction with vision and purpose from new house of prayer, classrooms to parking lot accommodation. Open Bible can testify that all but by the Grace of God and the helping hands of many the Lord used to contribute to the sustained life and the ever progressive mission and ministry that God is faithful that promised and ever faithful to provide and promote.

 

      As Open Bible Baptist Church became publicly blessed and well known throughout the community and Bay Area, the Word of God and Gospel of Jesus Christ was faithfully preached, officers were ordained and appointed, souls were saved, and God added to the church as He saw fit as a result of seeing active faith. 

 

      In March 2005, Pastor Edward Butler was called into retirement. Open Bible will always recall the faithful service and leadership of Pastor Butler as part of our history commemorations. 

 

      In April 2005, the Lord who is Head of the Church assured Open Bible that He would always meet their need and that He did in the person of Rev. Eddie Thomas whom He endowed and established to be Open Bible’s second Pastor and under shepherd. As Pastor, Reverend Thomas was used by God to care for the flock of God assembled at Open Bible by keeping them well fed and learning how to live by their faith, December 2021 would become the year Rev. Thomas was led to retire from Pastoring Open Bible Baptist Church. Nevertheless, while he would retire from pastoring, his love for Open Bible would continue in the future care and concerns for the congregation and therefore would not come down until a God approved and thus appropriate appointee has assumed the position to carry on the care of Open Bible.

 

January 2021

Open Bible received its third representative of God’s faithfulness in not leaving it without a shepherd, in the person of Pastor Karon L. Braxton.

 

Pastor Braxton along with the flock he pastored as Rising Star MBC marched from their previous place of assembly to unite and undergo the honorable position of pastoring two beloved branches of the “Body of Christ” under one God, one Faith and one Baptism. 

 

The humble unified and oneness of Rising Star and Open Bible divinely defines our New International Baptist Hymnal #359

 

“Bless be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love; The fellowship of kindred minds, Is like to that above.”

 

2021 - 2023

Under Pastor Braxton leadership and faithful aiding officers, OBBC gained:

    • 14 new members joining in the first year

    •  5 members reinstated

    •  4 piece instrumental band

    •  4 Sunday School Classes: Men, Women, Youth & Children’s

    •  Mothers Board Noon Day Prayer

    •  An Multi Active Outreach Mission Ministry 

    •  5 man media ministry team

    •  5 Choirs: Mens, Mothers, Young Adult, Youth & General Mass.

    •  Internal & External Sanctuary remodeling and construction

       upgrades

 

2024

Year 2024 has proven to be a progressive year for OBBC membership and ministry. The Gospel continued to be preached, the Lord remained to  be praised, and OBBC continue to say Amen. Thus the Lord saw fit to add to a church of passionate and practical servants:

    •  10 New Members

    •  7 Baptisms

    •  4 Reinstatements 

    •  Enhanced media streaming platforms (YouTube, Facebook,    

       Instagram) and an OBBC QR code for instant access to church

       resources

 

2024

New Birth Mission Ministries 

    •  Student Tutoring Ministry

    •  Mental Health Workshop Ministry

    •  (NA4LM) New Addiction For Life Ministry

    •  And a growing OBBC Logo Faith-Statement Apparel clothe line of:

      Hoodies, Hats and multiple color T-shirts and sweat-shirts.

    •  OBBC Christmas gifts and toy drive room resume to revise              

      families viewed as less fortunate to loved, lifted and favored.

    •  OBBC gave birth to her (Head to Foot All Season Covering)      

       MISSION BENEVOLENT STORE for all ages.

 

Looking Forward with Faith

The Open Bible Baptist Church family is grateful for God’s continued guidance through our pastor, ministers, missionaries, and dedicated members. Through daily faith, worship, and service, we strive to remain a steadfast, loving, and laboring church, ever “abounding in the work of the Lord.”

 

All to hear the Lord say: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)