Claggett and Sheila Ward heeded God’s Call to begin a new ministry in Lansing in January 1989. They commuted from Grand Rapids in establishing weekly Bible studies, first in the home of Ron and Elsie Coward, then for a time in the Child Evangelistic Fellowship and the LeJon Building until the family moved in June 1989.

As the number of persons grew, it became necessary to seek facilities where organized worship services could be held.

The Pastor and congregation of Berean Baptist Church, Rev. Jay Williamson, offered their building for Sunday Afternoon services to Pastor Ward.

The church had been named and incorporated by the State of Michigan on September 12, 1990, and the Charter members:

• Ron and Elsie Coward
• LaVerne Fluker
• Katie Garner
• Allen Harmon
• Melvin and Verna Holley
• Marlon and Marti Malone
• Randy and Beverly Ray
• Christopher and Thelma Walker
• Claggett and Sheila Ward
• Roger and Brenda Weathers.

Thus began the first Sunday service, November 11, 1990– welcomed Rev. Melvin Upchurch, Pastor of Community Bible Babptist Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan bringing the charge to Pastor Ward and the assembled members.

Services for weekly prayer and Bible studies continued at the Ward’s home and Sunday services at Berean Baptist while seeking a home in Lansing.

A local realty service asked through an elder about a church building becoming available. Necessary funds were collected or assured to obtain the property at 635 Armstrong Street, Lansing, Michigan. Some of the persons who assisted with the renovation were Dwayne and Cheryl Haviland, Vincent Spencer, Michael Shaffner, Lorelei Curry, Marky Holley, Melvin Holley, Norvel Edwards, and Randy Ray with necessary plumbling, furnace installation, remodeling and construction. Projects were undertaken in the interior (lighting, restrooms, drapery, shades, carpeting, pulpit etc.) and the exterior of the property (Entry door repairs, signage, roofing, windows, etc). Areas designated for meeting, training, and storage of equipment were given first priority. Contractors, members and friends pitched in to accomplish the work.

Y2000 had also been a distraction.

On March 4, 2001, the congregation formed at Berean Baptist and motored to the Armstrong location for the Sunday service. Rev. Joe Stratford of Baptist Church Planters (Pastor Ward was under their support and watch care for a time) had been asked to lead the March service.

On June, 3, 2001 Pastor Upchurch led a dedicatory service.

Other members soon followed: David and Lorelei Curry, Toya, Jomonet, and David Curry Jr, Vincent and Angela Spencer, Jessie M. Brown, Deitra Murphy and children, James, Jordan Rose, Jackson, Regina, and Joshua, Jacquelyn Murphy, Carlos and Lori Shields, George Norton, Antoinette and Elsie Louise Adams, Larry and Carmen Johnson, Ernestine Blake. Several students from Michigan State University attended regularly.

The property mortgage was paid off in 2007 through a special donation. September 22, 2007, Grace Bible Baptist Fellowship church was recognized as a Baptist church, and Pastor Ward was graduated from mission status on March 22, 2008.

Team leaders, deacons, officers, were organized and had functioned faithfully during that period to carry out the mission of the church in worshipping, Instructing, fellowshipping, and evangelizing; W.I.F.E., VBS, Teaching, ministering to the sick, musicians, etc. aided in the outreach to the Armstrong Street community and the later transfer to the Waverly-Miller community.

Special ministry to women, and local children has enhanced some opportunities for service. Daughters of Destiny with Seder Supper and Lenten Services with other churches.

Missionary efforts by the church both Foreign and Home was carried through monthly and or periodic gifts to the following Mission organization; such as TEAN, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Interlink Ministries, CRU, City Rescue Mission, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Bible Baptist Church, Lupton, MI, Carver Bible Missions, Radio Bible Class, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Samaritan’s Purse, etc. Some missionary visits and correspondences from David and Marjory Patrick, Marian Pledger, Lydia Crowder, Mary Williams, and Ruth M-Powell, Alex Twm, Richard Acquaye, Valerie Stellrecht, Carol Wilson, Casey Kline Family- Ukraine (Lupton, MI).

The years after 2013 is the combining of the congregations of Grace Bible Baptist Fellowship and Berean Baptist, and has seen steps of faith along with some painful fruition of purpose and losses, still we see continued progress of the church family. The hospitalization and death of both Elsie Adams Home call-LaVerne Fluker, Allen Harmon, Fred and Lola Harmon, home calls of Pearl Faugust and Sandy Thompson, Elder Arthur Howell, Kenneth Smith, coupled with the onset of the coronavirus sweeping across the world. However, as people of faith, we were required by the Governor of Michigan to follow the protocol of masking, isolating, and vaccination. Yet we believed and marched on since it required combined opportunities to use Zoom church services, and meeting for singing and praying together.

Thanksgiving and praise are expressed to God for the years of service Rev. Claggett and Sister Sheila Ward provided direction, fellowship, effort, discipleship, training, comfort and consolation ministry faithfully to the church. Even while suffering, perhaps even privately, Pastor Ward sought recovery and recuperation from the brain surgery that required radiation and chemotherapy, however God’s call home to heaven occurred on July 27, 2021.