On May 5th, 1998, Salem MB Church was started in the living room of Rev. Troy Bragg, his wife & a few faithful followers. The ministry branched out to the Ramada Inn on Highway 53 & stayed there about 2 months and later moved to 4006 Murchison Road & over the next 4 plus months some misunderstandings, difficult times, and situations arose and upon agreement the ministry was looking for a new leader.

Therefore, December 6, 1998, Rev. Eddie Lee Hightower met with a few of the officials and upon agreement, he would lead the church (with 5 stipulations): 1) Noon Day Prayer, 2) Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting & Bible Study, 3) Sunday School, 4) Sunday Morning Worship, & 5) Tuesday Church Fast Day. So with 11 members, 5 of them children, and head over heels in debt, we began a mission that seemed impossible. In the past 12 years, we’ve faced default judgment & liquidations, church splits, however, by the Grace of God, we’ve experienced great success.

God has permitted some 100 plus active members at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church. We’ve purchased the church, land next to the church, 3 trailer parks, several houses in the community, ¾ of the entire Bowden Road, Brick Duplexes, 12.5 acres on Bragg Blvd, our 501 C-3 non-profit status and a name change on October 29th, 2002 to New Salem MB Church for Philippians 3:13, 14 says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” And upon the confession of Peter, Jesus said, “…upon this rock, I will build my church and the gates of hell, shall not prevail against it.” So join in with us as we lift of holy hands in the sanctuary and bless the lord.