On May 25, 1987 Dr. Emanuel George Gumms founded yet another Christian work which is still going on today.  The New Testament Baptist Bible Center started out as a Bible Study in Dr. Gumms’ home in his small, cluttered and crammed library in Harvey at 1416 Estalotte St. 

 

Dr. Gumms was said to have planted more than two churches, helped to found two schools and contributed in establishing two conventions.  The two churches which have maintained the closest fellowship are the first church he founded, First New Testament Missionary and Educational Church, now led by the Rev. Sterling Jones, Jr.  and Rev. Edmond Walker, Sr.  (Deceased) located on the West Bank Expressway in Marrero.  Then there was the last church he planted, now called the New Testament Baptist Bible Center, and located at 1500 Pailet Ave. in Harvey, Louisiana.  These two churches contain the remnants of his memory in some of the people and relics of his past. 

 

The founding members of New Testament Baptist Bible Center included Mrs. Jenny V. Davis, Mrs. Mable Jackson Ford, Ms. Edna Ussin, the Rev. Sterling Melancon, Dr. Valerie Taylor, Mother Irene Stewart, Jackie and Sharon Leblanc, several of whom are now passed on. 

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New Testament started with Progressive Baptist Convention, but because Progressive had no funding available for church growth, they recommended that Doc check with Southern Baptist. 

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At that time Southern Baptist had earmarked certain money to begin new churches.  First Baptist Church of Marrero voted during the September 25th business meeting in 1991 that they would be willing to hold title to property purchased by New Testament Baptist Mission.  On March 12, 1992, First Baptist Church approved this endorsement and held said property at 1500 Pailet Ave., Harvey, Louisiana.  This property was previously “The Red Carpet Lounge and Motel” formerly owned by a Mr. Prout.  This place was notorious for its immoral activity in the Harvey community.  Nevertheless Doc saw the potential in the raggedy abandoned building and the small lot, while Pastor Dino gasped for breath at the sight of the building.  Southern Baptists church-builders designed plans which Doc carried around with him faithfully as he’d say with pride, “This is gonna be a reality.”  Others would respond, “Those people aren’t gonna give yawl no money for no church”.  Finally in 1993, LBC (Louisiana Baptist Convention) builders got a team of workers together and came to the Harvey lot in trailers, SUVs, and personal automobiles, and to the surprise of the black community of that area, redesigned the lounge to look like the small sanctuary we have now.  New Testament members moved in with a march through the community to announce the arrival of this new building.  I was not there during that time, but I’ve seen the pictures that were taken on that day and heard the stories told by the founding members. 

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Due to failing health, Dr. Gumms was forced to resign.  Confident in the leadership of Rev. Jerry D. Davis, Jr., Dr. Gumms sought his assistance in November of 1995 and asked if he would assume the position of pastor of the now very wounded and broken New Testament Baptist Bible Center.   Rev. Davis was then serving as Co-pastor of a multi-racial church in Algiers, and as Program Director of the Philemon After-Care Prison Ministry in Gretna.  Davis while not expecting that he’d be accepted as pastor, agreed to serve as interim until a pastor would be found. 

However, in February of 1996, Davis was unanimously elected pastor of this handful of members with three associate ministers and several members loyal to Dr. Gumms who continued to serve as Pastor Emeritus beside and in support of Rev. Davis.