By the Editor, Wayne Camp
First, it has been circulated among a number of people that I, Wayne Camp, adopted the position that I hold on the matter of church perpetuity and church organization in order to get and maintain the pastorate of Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church. Let it be known by all who read these pages that I held the position I now hold before I ever knew there was such a church as Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church. Those who know me and have known me know that I do not change my convictions or compromise my convictions for position or monetary gain.
Second, it has been circulated that Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church was organized without any other church being involved in the forming of the church. There is not a shred of truth in this. I have before me, as I write this, copies of all the minutes of the Mountain View Baptist Church of Watauga, Tennessee, that pertain to the organization of Pilgrims Hope Baptist Church. They contain the following facts:
On March 3, 1971, the Mountain View Baptist Church received into her membership some 20 scripturally Baptized believes.
In a special called business meeting on March 14, 1971, "did grant the request" of this group of her members "to function as a mission of Mount View Baptist Church, with the right to receive members by good letters, reliable statement and Baptism, to receive tithes and offerings and conduct business for our Great God and Saviour in a New Testament manner."
The minutes of Mountain View Baptist Church dated October 3, 1971, reflect that on that date 30 members of said church were dismissed "for Church Organization Purposes Only." The church declared said members a "Duly Organized Baptist Church to do business for the kingdom and glory of God." Following that statement there is a list of the 30 people who were dismissed.
On November 3, 1971, the Mountain View Baptist Church published the following statement with regard to the organization of Pilgrim's Hope Baptist Church.
By this simple method, be it made known to all the Saints throughout the Kingdom of God, people and governments to the ends of God's earth, and New Testament Churches of Jesus Christ everywhere, numerically small or great, that on October 3rd in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 1971, the Mount View Baptist Church of Route 1, Watauga, Carter County, Tennessee, U.S.A., did, at the request of 30 of its members residing in the general vicinity of Memphis, Tennessee, organize them into a Scriptural Church, with the privilege, and responsibility, of doing the business of the Lord's Church and the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth.
After long and prayerful consideration and efforts to search out and find the Scripturalness of their doctrinal views, motives and conviction; and upon arriving at a comforting and encouraging conclusion, a small delegation from Mount View Baptist Church, with the authority and the instruction of said church, travelled west to Memphis, Tennessee and proceeded and finished the business for which it was delegated to perform.
With the above facts in view, from henceforth, let no man trouble the membership of that church or question her authority for being in existence. The records of Mount View Baptist Church contain the recognition of that church as a sister New Testament church existing and functioning independently and free from responsibility and bondage to any earthly power or powers.
It is also the knowledge of Mount View Baptist Church that upon the first regular business meeting of that church, on October 6, 1971, that church elected to be known as PILGRIM'S HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Done by order of Mount View Baptist Church on November 3, 1971, at which time it was also voted that $1,000.00 be donated to assist with Pilgrim's Hope's physical needs which donation accompanies this paper.
May God be pleased to bless this church until Jesus comes.
The published statement was signed by the Moderator and the Clerk of the Mountain View Baptist Church.
I pray that this information will set the record straight and that those who have spread the misinformation will cease spreading it. I have the documents supporting what I have written here and several more that I will be glad to show to any who doubt the veracity of this report.
Matthew 12:35-37 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Psalm 39:1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
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Updated Friday, March 04, 2011
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