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Greater Ideal Missionary Baptist Church  ~  Pastor Jermaine L. Simms  ~  3610 Bonnie View Road; Dallas, Texas  75216-4746  ~  214.376.6293

OUR HISTORY

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In the year of our Lord and Savior 1939, a few dedicated saints organized the Ideal Missionary Baptist Church. The church was located on the corner of Hill and Willow St. in the Fair Park area of Dallas. Rev. Lott was called as pastor and led the church for six years.


In 1946, the Ideal Missionary Baptist Church relocated to Fitzhugh Avenue.  Rev. P. T. Shaw became the pastor and the church remained on Fitzhugh Avenue until 1964.

Because of membership growth, the church evolved to the Oak Cliff area and was renamed, Greater Ideal Baptist Church (GIBC)  Not long after that the church moved again to the corner of Exeter and Hale Street.   In 1968 GIBC moved to 3010 ½ Overton Road, where we rented the upstairs in the education building of the New Cliff Baptist Church.  Rev. P. T. Shaw resigned as pastor after 22 years. Rev. S.D. Breaux was then called as pastor in September 1968 and served until 1970.


Through God’s unmerited favor, GIBC purchased the New Cliff Baptist Church building at 3010 Overton Road in May of 1969.  Rev. Joe B. White served as pastor from latter part of 1970 to 1973.


Enduring the change in leadership, faithful members sought God and He answered their prayers.  With an eternal love for God and His people, Rev. L.D. Thomas was called as pastor in 1973.  


On the Saturday before Easter of April 1981, the sanctuary was destroyed by fire.  Trough faith, GIBC marched back into the new sanctuary in October 1981 serving God and implementing new ministry ideas.


In 1992, the Robert L. Bates Sr. Memorial Scholarship Fund was established. Since that time we have been blessed to give scholarships to young people who have been accepted into a college or university or are actively attending each year.


As the result of our late pastor, Rev. L. D. Thomas visions and church financial programs, we broke ground for our current dwelling place the 19th of October 2003.


After 30 years of devoted and loyal service to GIBC, The Lord called Pastor L. D. Thomas home on November 23, 2003.  At 10:00 A.M. on September 12, 2004; with much praise, pride, and joy, we marched from our old church building location, into our newest church facilities located at 3610 Bonnie View Road. Our entrance service was held April 3, 2005 and was commemorated with a Proclamation from the City of Dallas presented by former City Councilwoman Maxine Thornton-Reese.


After more than a year without a leader, Rev. Steven Sims was called and served as pastor for over three years.


In 2008 the church experienced another transition; after which Rev. Terrance R. Johnson was called in November of that year, to serve as Pastor of our beloved church.


The church again, went through a pruning period in 2011, but God saw fit to grant us favor and send Rev. Jermaine L. Simms as our pulpit conductor. Later the next year the church elected to embrace God’s calling of Rev. J. L. Simms to be our beloved pastor in November 2012.


Pastor Simms’ upbringing in the Church of God In Christ contributes to the fact that he is a well-diverse preacher and teacher. He believes that we are not defined by denomination, race, or age. His vision is for the body of Christ to grow collectively, in unity for the cause of Christ’s mission.   Pastor Simms has the heart of God which manifests in his life, and he instills it in his God given flock.  His love of God, the people of God, and the lost, has led him to embark on a visionary plan for the Greater Ideal Missionary Baptist Church which includes but is not limited to; Worship in The Word on Tuesday nights,  Young Men’s Fellowship Group, Children’s Church, and a Trinity Offering, just to name a few.


As our church has grown down through the years, so have our ministries, which include but are not limited to; the Bus Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Deacons, Deaconess, Brotherhood, Youth Ministry, Music Ministry, four Usher Boards, and a Dynamic Sunday School.  


The committed and faithful members, whom have given of their time, talents and finances to advance the cause of Christ, can rejoice in the assurance of a work well done.  We want to continue to build on our history that is filled with sacrifice, commitment, faith, and prayer, as we look forward to the challenges and goals of our tomorrow.  We Remember Our Past as We Embrace Our Future.