In 1965, M. Samuel Pinkston, formerly the pastor of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Temple of Asbury Park, was approached by Brother Hubie R. Pierce and several other former members urging him to help them form a new church and Christian fellowship.  After a few meetings, Samuel Pinkston was named as Pastor and all other official Board members, officers, and auxiliary members were elected.

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After much prayer and several suggestions coming from the members about the name of this new fellowship, Sister Delores Wilson said, “Pastor we are moving totally by Faith. Let us call ourselves ‘Faith Baptist’”. Everyone agreed and the church was formally named, Faith Baptist Tabernacle.

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Faith’s first service occurred at First Baptist Church in Belmar, New Jersey before a neighbor of one of the founding members, Mrs. Mary Burgess, graciously opened her home and allowed the newly formed congregation to meet in her basement. Burgess opened her doors in a response to Pastor Pinkston’s kindness from a few years prior, clearing her car stuck in a snow bank. They worshiped in her basement for over two months while looking for a permanent location. Whenever questions about how God was going to meet their needs, someone else would respond, “By faith."

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Weeks later the Search Committee found Mr. Thomas MacAnthony, the owner of 1209-11 Bangs Ave which was formerly home to Mt. Carmel Catholic Church & School. Pastor Pinkston organized the rental agreement for the church to rent the bottom floor at $200/month. Not wanting to share the building with potential apartments on the upper floors that MacAnthony planned to create, Pastor Pinkston inquired about buying the entire property, which was $40,000. A deal was made and the two men agreed that the $200/month rent would be applied to the purchase of the building if Faith could complete the transaction in a year.

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The members and church leadership agreed to save up to purchase the property within the deadline. Pastor Pinkston also inquired about the adjoining houses with a price of $20,000.  He told the owner, “By faith, we will purchase the property”.  Mr. Anthony replied, “Because I believe in you, I will fix up the property without cost to the church”. Those repairs totaled ~$25,000.

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On the 2nd Sunday and 13th of February, the Faith Family marched into 1209 Bangs Ave, as the new home of Faith Baptist Tabernacle.  It rained very hard that day and a member questioned, why would God have it rain on the day we were marching in. Pastor Pinkston replied, “When you plant a seed, God waters it. God is watering Faith today. We will grow.”

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As the one-year deadline approached, the Holy Spirit prompted Pastor Pinkston to write a letter to the NJ American Baptist Convention Headquarters to request support. They approved the loan and in August of 1966, Faith Baptist Tabernacle took ownership of 1209-11 Bangs Avenue.  Pastor Pinkston said it was impossible to describe the ecstatic joy of the members and the community when the front page of the August 7, 1966, edition of the Asbury Park Press featured a picture of the deed being presented to members of the church board.

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During Pastor Pinkston’s Tenure, The Shore Day Care Center was opened on November 14, 1966, led by Sister Esther Pinkston with children from 3-6 years of age as students. The employees were primarily members of the congregation. Reading and study facilities were provided, field trips taken, a recreation program established that included a church basketball team.

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Pastor Pinkston remained as pastor until Dec 1969 when he transitioned to California and The Reverend Nicholas J. Tate was installed as the Second Pastor of Faith in January of 1970. The rich tradition of Faith continued with fellowships and exchange services with sister congregations. The Lord continued to both add to and bless the church. Reverend Tate faithfully served until October 1972, to which Reverend Reginald Pleasant served as Supply Pastor until September 1973 while Faith awaited its third Pastor.

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Faith’s third pastor, Reverend Wilmore A. Carter, was installed in October 1973. During the Pastorate of Rev. Carter, the church mortgage was burned, the fiscal house re-ordered, the day care center closed, and the land on the western side of the building was cleared of the two houses. The church expanded in ministry and actively participated in the local association and national convention. The Deacon's Ministry expanded with the ordination of George Taylor, Joe Latimore, and Sims Hamlette. Brother Porter Brown was licensed and ordained during this time, becoming the Assistant Pastor in January 1980. Reverend Carter went home from labor to rest on March 21, 1981.

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In June of 1981, Overseer Porter S. Brown, Sr assumed the office of pastor, who became the fourth and longest-serving pastor in Faith’s history. During Overseer’s tenure, he shepherded the church through several periods of transition spiritually, physically, and numerically. The church grew, with generations of families growing up and raising their children during this time. For a time period before renovating the Sanctuary, Faith expanded to two morning services to accommodate the growth. Major accomplishments and projects during Overseer’s tenure include replacing the roof, drainage system, heating system, windows, and sound system. He additionally had the baptismal pool installed in memory of Deacon Clayton Smith along with air conditioning installed within the building. The 2nd floor and sanctuary were renovated several times, creating classrooms, offices, and overflow space for additional sanctuary seating. Community initiatives included the Faith Pantry, feeding countless people across the city and connecting them with resources. The church opened its doors to the Asbury Park School District so they could launch the Asbury Early Childhood Learning Center and also to West Side Christian Academy for childhood development in the community.

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The leadership of Faith greatly expanded under Overseer’s tenure. Following God’s leading, Overseer reorganized the executive leadership structure of Faith, establishing the Elder’s Council. The council was made up of ministers and non-ministers who oversee the various ministries in the church and work closely with the Pastor to fulfill the ministry objectives and goals. This leadership structure is still present at Faith.

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During his tenure, twelve were licensed as Ministers and preachers of the Gospel: Barbara Merrill, Shelia Brown, Carolyn Anderson, Valerie Benjamin, Joanne Alexander, Lamont Brown, Elizabeth Pierce, Catherine Nickens, Gyse Pierce, Malachi Neal, Cynthia Frazier, and Talisha Smith. Thirteen were also ordained to the Diaconate: Prince Sims, Burniss Williams, Albert Wright, Wakey Evans, Gary Cummings, Troy Tucker, Brenda Shuler, Janet Watt, Joanne Alexander, Natalie Williams, Margo Wright, Patricia Joyner, and Elizabeth Pierce.

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Overseer Brown was the Senior Pastor of Faith until his earthly transition on January 13th, 2017, faithfully serving a 35-year tenure.

 

Overseer worked intently in ministry with his wife, Co-Pastor Sheila A. Brown, throughout his entire tenure. Her work and impact is undeniable in Faith, building up the Music, Intercessory, & Women’s Ministries among others. Co-Pastor was appointed as Elder of the Women’s Ministry in 2000. She was a woman of example and integrity, helping build the members in their spiritual journey, birthing and maintaining the prophetic sound of the house. The Lord gifted her with the ministries of healing, deliverance, and prophecy, which positively impacted the ministry’s flow and growth. Co-Pastor was the first licensed Minister during Overseer’s tenure in 1984 and became the first female ordained Elder in Faith’s history, installed to the office of Co-Pastor on May 18th, 2003. Co-Pastor Sheila A. Brown faithfully served until her earthly transition on March 21st, 2021.

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After the transition of Overseer Brown, Bishop Lamont D. Brown assumed the post of Interim Pastor until he was formally installed as the fifth Senior Pastor of Faith on June 11th, 2017. Raised in Faith under his parents, Overseer & Co-Pastor Brown, Bishop oversaw multiple ministries and worked as a licensed Minister. He was ordained as an Elder and installed as the Assistant Pastor on September 12, 2012. Assuming the post of Senior Pastor, Bishop encouraged the ministry to grow in faith, believing God for even greater things. Major milestones and accomplishments during his tenure include demolishing the church house, remodeling the 2nd and 3rd floors, replacing the sound system, establishing the live stream for widespread reach, and remodeling the outside of the building with the church remaining financially viable. With Bishop’s radical faith, the church ran a confident 2021 building fund campaign to fulfill its mortgage balance in a year’s time, despite the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the economy. Gathering the support of membership and outside partners, Faith successfully paid off its $86,000 mortgage balance and burned its mortgage on September 26th, 2021.

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Under Bishop’s leadership, six were ordained to the office of Elder: Catherine Nickens, Cynthia Frazier, Elizabeth Pierce, Gyse Pierce, Shirlene Peten, & Talisha Smith. Two were licensed as Ministers and preachers of the Gospel: Lonnel Peten & Tia Peten. Three were ordained to the Diaconate: Tina Hatcher-Boyd, Dzidra Hargrove, & Georgette Ruffin.

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Bishop Lamont Brown continues to serve the House of Faith, now being the second longest-serving Pastor in its history. The leadership of the church is strong, with new Elders added to the Elder’s Council during Bishop’s tenure and new Servant Leaders to assist the vision of the house. Faith continues to thrive, operating over 15 ministries to maintain internal function and carry out its mission, including Women’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Evangelism & Outreach Ministry, Benevolence Ministry, Singles Ministry, and Marriage Ministry among others. In addition to events, classes, and sessions, Faith also has completed community initiatives such as food giveaways, honoring community pillars, nursing home ministry, and street outreach.

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Today, guided by strong leadership, steadfast faith, and the leading of the Lord, Faith Baptist Tabernacle continues to move forward with purpose. The church remains committed to fulfilling its mission: to evangelize to the family while building disciples.

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Revised June 2026