Rev. Don A. Kelly, Sr. was elected as Pastor

On the Friday night before the second Sunday in January of 1970, Rev. Don A. Kelly, Sr. was elected as Pastor. Under his divine leadership and administration, the New Hope Baptist Church, in the year of 1973 was relocated and rebuilt with the general church as contractor. The second cornerstone was laid and three hundred and forty-five members were added, twenty deacons ordained and twenty-three ministers licensed and of the twenty-three, fifteen were ordained. The pavement of the church grounds and also the sign were erected. The adjacent twelve acres were purchased to continue the prosperity of the Lord, for his divine outreach work here and abroad. Pastor Don A. Kelly served for twenty-two years (1970-1992) before the Lord called him home.