Just as King David gathered the aliens in the land of Israel to begin building the house of God (I Chronicles 22:1-3), so did the Rev. Dr. Willie D. McClung, Pastor of the Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, who gathered the officials together. The charge to plant a church ministry in Baltimore, Maryland with Holt Street Memorial Baptist as its cultivator was presented to the Rev. Willie D. McClung, II, on Saturday, May 24, 2003. After much discussion, the meeting was closed in prayer, awaiting the answer from Rev. McClung, II.

On Sunday, May 25, 2003, Rev. Willie D. McClung, II, after much thought, discussion, fervent prayer, and supplication, accepted the charge of the Holt Street Memorial Baptist Church to sow a church ministry in Baltimore, Maryland. Rev. Dr. McClung blessed his son and daughter-in-law with the peace that “the Lord is with you, and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He said to you. Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning your people…Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed” (I Chronicles 22:11-13).

Upon returning from Alabama, Rev. W. D. McClung, II began to share the charge with a few persons: Jonas M. Garland, LaShawn Fields, and Otha Thorne. In sharing, each person prayerfully considered the request of his or her good friend. Having discussed the request with their family, each person answered the cry to assist in beginning a new ministry in God’s vineyard, thus becoming the founding and chartering members.

The members held their first meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 7 pm at the location of 9116 Samoset Road, Randallstown, Maryland. The purpose of the meeting was to bring the charter members together and on one accord to set forth documents, discussion of a name, governing, a place of worship, etc. Rev. McClung, II, challenged each founder to stay prayed up and to truly seek God’s will for guidance and direction in this new ministry.

On Friday, June 27, 2003, Emmaus Missionary Baptist Church was incorporated as a religious body under the laws of the great State of Maryland in Baltimore County.

What is in a name? As the founder’s began to search the scriptures, Rev. McClung, II, challenged the people to read Luke 24:13-35. This passage of scripture was likening to their experience, as they were afraid in their journey to start a new ministry. Yet as they read the passage, their hearts began to burn, and as a result, decided to name the church, Emmaus with verse 32 of Luke 24 as their focal point. The members continued in their meeting, developing the constitution as the governing document for the church. “Then He said to them, “These and the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning me. And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures, “Luke 24:44-45.

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