History of Maranatha
“Behold, I build a house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him…” II Chronicles 2:4
On June 16, 1974 Father’s Day, Pastor Ernest Moore delivered his first message to his new congregation at Cedarville Baptist Church in Cedarville, N.J. Within two years the Lord blessed this preacher’s work and built the congregation to overflowing. Revival had come to this little country church. It was time to expand God’s work. Plans were made to add to the present building in order to reach the community with the gospel of Christ. Plans came to a halt due to lack of parking. Pastor Moore had a vision for the people of Cumberland County.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18.
Pastor Moore saw a sign on Rt. 49 “33 acres for sale.” This ground was in the midst of three metropolitan areas: Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland.
Pastor prayed and took this information to his board of deacons. With much prayer, supplication and thanksgiving {Philippians 4:16} this proposal to purchase this property was presented to the congregation.
January 4, 1981 the vision of a faithful, God loving Pastor came to fruition with the first service of CCMBC being held in the Fellowship Hall with 227 in attendance.
On October 30th 2010 Pastor Moore stepped down from his pulpit but not from serving His Lord. His vision and faithfulness to preaching the gospel has prepared many for that glorious day of going Home to Heaven. {Matthew 24:44}
As always, the Lord is faithful and has sent our second Pastor, who has like vision for Maranatha Baptist Church, Cumberland County and the whole World. On November 7, 2010 Pastor Gary Wimberly assumed the responsibility of Senior Pastor. For over 9 years, the Wimberly's served faithfully and passionately here at MBC. In May of 2019, Pastor Wimberly formally resigned the church knowing it was time to step down and seek the Lord's leading in their family and ministry.
Over the next year, the church sought the Lord for a new Pastor and during that time continued to follow the Lord's leading. It was during the intermission months that the Magnus family, came through on vacation and served the church. They were asked to submit their resume since Pastor Brad had believed the Lord would one day move them from Colorado, back to the East Coast. It was not until March 1, 2020, did Pastor Brad and the family candidate. With a 98% majority vote, the Magnus family accepted the call to pastor at MBC. The move from CO to NJ was a difficult process during the time of shut-down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but MBC has continued to offer services and do what they can to serve the community. The Magnus family includes 5 wonderful sons. We are excited to see what the Lord will continue to do through MBC as we seek to serve Him.
Our Mission
Our Mission is to be a church community, guiding people to a transformed life in Jesus Christ.
In Christ. Branching Out
Our Beliefs
… The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative written Word of God.
… There is one God, eternally existent in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
… In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal future return to this earth to rapture the church and restore His kingdom.
… The only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ.
… Regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation.
… The redemptive work of Christ on the cross provides healing of the the whole person: spiritual, emotional, mental, relational and physical.
… In the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the believer is enabled to live the Christ life.
… In the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life and the other to everlasting damnation.
…In the self-governing, self-supporting, self-propagating of the local church.
…In the commitment to take the gospel to our local communities and world-wide.
Our Vision & Values
Our vision is to be a loving, growing and unified community of people from all walks of life that is passionate about sharing the life of Jesus across all social, economic and racial barriers in South Jersey and all the world. We desire to accomplish this in three ways:
CONNECTING…people to their Creator.
We believe that people are made to be in personal relationship with the God who created them, through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Living with a CAUSE…that people would find a purpose worth living and dying for.
We believe people are made to participate with God in changing the world and impacting eternity.
COMMUNITY…providing people with genuine relationships that result in life change.
We believe people are made with the need for authentic friendships with other people.
