A church following the flow of Christ
Constituted in 1808. Here's who we are, what we believe, and the story God has been writing through this congregation for more than two centuries.
"We're a church leading people to Christ for Deliverance and Discipleship to make a Difference in the world."
Deliverance from sin and, ultimately, death. Discipleship to follow Christ. And the Difference that follows, because a life delivered and following Jesus changes the world around it (Matthew 5:13–16).
Matthew 28:19–20 · John 3:16 · Titus 3:3–8
"A Church Following the Flow of Christ."
As Christ followed His Father, we follow the Father through His Son by way of the Holy Spirit. It's also a nod to the river in our name, which has carried this church since 1808.
John 12:26 · Hebrews 12:1–2
Embrace. Educate. Empower.
We strive to be a safe haven for members and visitors from all walks of life. We are both an organism, alive because Jesus is alive (Luke 24:6–7), and an organization that does things decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40).
God gives a church "seasonal" visions, specific assignments for a specific time. Our vision is where we're going tomorrow. Our mission is what we're doing today to get there.
Elder Gregory M. Miller
Pastor Gregory M. Miller was born in Selma, Alabama, in 1989 to Gregory and Mary Miller. He graduated from Alabama A&M University in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. While at A&M he tutored mathematics and worked as a co-op student with NASA, where he is employed today.
He went on to earn a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University in 2017 and also studied at the Union Chapel Biblical Institute.
Before coming to Flint River, Pastor Miller served as an associate minister at Union Chapel M.B. Church in Huntsville under Pastor Dr. O. Wendell Davis. There he served in the Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Young Men's, and Collegiate ministries, and co-hosted the Word Talk radio program on WDJL Love 1000.
He accepted the call to pastor Flint River in May 2019. He is a firm believer in Jesus Christ who stands firmly on the Word of God. Pastor Miller lives in Huntsville with his wife of over ten years, Tabitha C. Miller.
Shepherds and servants
Scripture names two offices in the church: pastors and deacons (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). Each deacon cares for a group of member households, called a ward.
Pastor
Elder Gregory M. Miller
Pastors Emeritus
Elder Roy Lamont Pope
Elder Charlie Humphrey, III
Deacons
Dea. James Bradford · Dea. Lewis Hurt · Dea. William Jones · Dea. John Pettus · Dea. Joseph Sullivan
Every line points to the cross
- The drop
- Shaped like a drop of blood, outlined in red: we are covered by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:12–28; John 19:31–34).
- The white cross
- The cross, in white for purity and cleansing.
- The water
- The second liquid that flowed from His side: cleansing and the living water of the Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25–27; John 4:1–14), and the river in our name.
- Five shapes in the water
- God the Father, Jesus the Son, the Holy Spirit, the church, and each of us.
Articles of Faith
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are our only rule of faith and practice. These sixteen articles summarize what we believe. Tap any one to read it with its Scripture references.
1One true and living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
We believe in only one true and living God and the trinity of persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and yet there are not three, but one.
Deut. 6:4; Matt. 3:16–17, 28:19; John 1:1, 14, 16; 2 Cor. 13:14; Col. 2:9; 1 Pet. 1:2; 1 John 5:7
2The Scriptures are the Word of God
We believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.
Ps. 119:9–16; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; Rom. 1:19–21
3Election in Christ
We believe in the doctrine of eternal and particular election of a definite number of the human race chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, that they should be holy and without blame before Him in love.
John 6:37, 7:2, 13:18–19, 15:16; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:24–30, 11:7; 1 Thess. 1:4; Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 1:9
4Covenant redemption
We believe in covenant redemption between God the Father and God the Son.
Gen. 3:15; Ps. 111:9; Rom. 5:17; Gal. 4:4; Eph. 1:17; Heb. 9:11–12, 10:5–7
5The fall of man
We believe in the fall of man and the communication of Adam's sinful nature to his posterity by ordinary generation, and their impotency to recover themselves from the fallen state they are in by nature by their own free will and ability.
Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; Rom. 3:23; Eph. 2:8
6Effectual calling and new birth
We believe that all chosen in Christ shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and be effectually called, regenerated, and born again.
Ps. 37:28; John 10:28; Acts 2:39; Rom. 8:29–30; Col. 3:3; 2 Tim. 1:8–9; Jude 1:1
7Justified by the righteousness of Christ
We believe that sinners thus born again are justified in the sight of God alone by the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to them by faith.
Rom. 3:24, 5:1; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5
8Faith is the gift of God
We believe that faith is the gift of God, and good works the fruit of faith, which justify us in the sight of men and angels as evidence of our gracious state.
Matt. 5:16; Rom. 3:20–24, 5:1, 8:1; James 2:18–19, 22
9Preservation of the saints
We believe that all the saints of God justified by the righteousness of Christ shall persevere in grace, and none of them finally fall away so as to be lost.
Deut. 32:6; Ps. 12:5–7; John 1:12, 10:27–30; Rom. 3:24–25, 8:38–39; Phil. 1:6; Eph. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:19; 1 Pet. 1:5
10A general judgment
We believe in a general judgment of both the just and the unjust, and that the joys of the righteous shall be eternal and the punishment of the wicked shall be everlasting.
Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 12:14; Dan. 12:2; Matt. 25:32–34; John 5:28–29; Rev. 20:11–15
11The visible church
We believe that the visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers in Christ adhering to a special covenant, which recognizes Christ as their only lawgiver and ruler, and His word their exclusive guide in all religious matters. It is complete in itself and independent under Christ of every other church organization. It is alone a religious assembly, selected and called out of the world by the doctrine of the Gospel to worship the true God according to His Word.
Acts 2:41–42; 1 Cor. 1:10–13; Eph. 4:3–7, 13, 5:23, 27, 32; Col. 1:18; Rev. 2:7
12Pastors and deacons
We believe that the scriptural officers of the church are Pastors and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.
Phil. 1:1; Acts 20:17, 21; Heb. 13:17
13Baptism by immersion
We believe that Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water by a proper administrator (an ordained elder) in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:12–16; Acts 8:36, 39; Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12
14Ordained elders administer the ordinances
We believe that only an ordained Elder has a right to administer the ordinances of the Gospel, such as have been properly baptized, called, and come under the imposition of the presbytery by the authority of the Church of Christ.
Acts 9:15, 13:1–3, 14:23; Eph. 4:11–14; Titus 1:5
15The Lord's Table
We believe that only regularly baptized and orderly church members have a right to communion at the Lord's Table.
Matt. 26:26–30; Mark 14:22–26; Luke 22:17–20; 1 Cor. 5:7–11, 11:17–29
16Washing of the saints' feet
We believe in the washing of the saints' feet in an assembly of believers immediately after the Lord's Supper.
John 13:2–17; 1 Tim. 5:9–10
Flint River is a member of the Consolidated Flint River and Running Water Primitive Baptist Association, Huntsville, Alabama.
More than two centuries of faith
Our story begins in 1808. Here are some milestones along the way.
- 1808
A church is born
Organized in October 1808 by Elder John Nicholson, meeting in the home of Mr. James Deaton. The first deacons were John Nicholson, Prinston Rodger, Peter Sanford, and Walter Bemus.
- 1830s
"Old School" Baptists
When Baptists divided over new church practices, Flint River kept to the simplicity of New Testament worship and became known as a "Primitive" Baptist church.
- 1870
Land of our own
3.24 acres purchased from James and Sallie J. Daniel for $75. The deed was recorded on August 8 in the name of Flint River P.B. Church and its successors.
- 1929
Fifty faithful years
Sister Georgia Bone was elected as the first church clerk and went on to serve for 50 years.
- 1966
Elder Ross L. Payton
Elected pastor, beginning 45 years of service that saw the Usher Board, Male Chorus, and choirs organized.
- 1973
A new brick sanctuary
The congregation built a modern brick church.
- 2011
A new generation
Elder Payton retired and Elder Roy Lamont Pope was elected pastor.
- 2019
Elder Gregory Miller
Elected pastor of Flint River.
- 2022
Two churches, one family
While Flint River was planning to relocate to Blue Spring Road, God redirected its attention to Winchester Road and Keilah P.B. Church, founded in 2010 by Elder Charlie Humphrey, III. After much prayer, the two congregations united as one in September 2022. Elder Humphrey was named Pastor Emeritus, and the fellowship hall was renamed to honor him and Mother Lue Humphrey.
Pastors of Flint River
| Elder John Nicholson | 1808–1830 |
| Elder Harry Moore | 1830–1861 |
| Elder W. R. White | 1861–1892 |
| Elder B. McCaully | 1892–1923 |
| Elder Richard Whorley | 1923–1948 |
| Elder A. D. Hammons | 1948–1966 |
| Elder Ross L. Payton | 1966–2011 |
| Elder Roy Lamont Pope | 2011–2018 |
| Elder Charlie Humphrey, III (Keilah P.B.) | 2010–2022 |
| Elder Gregory M. Miller | 2019–present |
Come be part of the next chapter.
Sunday School at 9:00 a.m. · Worship at 10:30 a.m.