Silver Blue Lakes Missionary Baptist Church, formerly Zion Christian Center, was founded by a group of 5 people: Dea. Wellington & Sis. Martha Curtis, Bro. Theophlus & Vernita Meadows, and Bro. Henry Ferguson. Who came together through misunderstandings from Peace Missionary Baptist Church.There was a need for a deeper understanding and knowledge of the scriptures that we concluded was not being received at that time.
March 1986, Rev. Thomas McCloud, Pastor called a business meeting with the objective of relieving Dea. Curtis of his duties and subsequently persuaded the majority membership to vote Curtis out of the Church, but not his wife, Martha and their two three children at the time. Therefore Curtis was excommunicated from the fellowship.
Documented By-Laws from the 11th proceedings of the Thirty-Fourth Annual Session of the Union Baptist Association held with the Laurel Hill Baptist Church, near Lumber Bridge, N.C. Dec. 26, 1918 with Moderator Rev. E. E. Smith and Rev. George Williams, Secretary clearly states in Article 1 of its By-Laws: “This association shall not recognize or receive any church having as members any person excluded from any other church.” This Ecclesiastical position imposes hardship on any one who feels the calling of God in his/her life.
From these experiences SBLMBC was birth. We believe in the Great Commission commanded by Jesus to “Go ye into all the world and preach and teach my gospel baptizing them in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son and the name of the Holy Ghost. Go into the highways, the byways, the hedges and compel them to come.” We believe in One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Our first Bible Study was held on April 1, 1986 at 8:00 p.m. at the home of Bro. & Sis. Meadows. A brief meeting followed to discuss plans for the mission. It was decided that Bro. Curtis would be the pastor and Bro. Meadows the Assistant Pastor, Sis. Curtis, Secretary and Bro. Ferguson, Treasurer. Through our tithes and offerings, we were able to purchase a generator, amplifier and speakers to use on the public parks.
Our first outdoor services were held the weekend of May 24, 25 & 26 at the Morningside Park, Key Biscayne and Isabeth Park. The following Sunday we went to the African Square Park on 62nd Street and continued to go there on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. Our Sunday evening services were held outdoor in Carol City on the Mixon family property for several months.
On October 1, 1986 Zion Christian Center became incorporated by the State of Florida. We contracted with the principal of Westview Elementary School to have the use of its cafeteria on Sunday mornings and on December 14, 1986, we had our first service at the school. Attendance at that time was 16 members.
As our faith grew stronger, we began to branch out to various parts of the community witnessing to others. We had street meetings in the following areas: African Square Park, Liberty City, Brownsville and Opa-Locka.
In June 1989, we rented a space at 825 NW 119th Street for several years. We continue to grow in body and in spirit. We had lost a few members but have also gain many additional ones. Membership: 40.
In December 1990, we became a member of the Dade United Baptist Association, Rev. Dr. J. C. Wise, Moderator.
The week of May 13-17, 1992, we celebrated our 6th anniversary where we had visiting churches fellowshipping with us. Wednesday, May 13th, New Faith MBC, Rev. Daniel Cunningham, Pastor; Thursday, May 14th, New St. Mark MBC, Rev. Silas Pinkney, Pastor; Friday, May 15th, True Vine MBC, Rev. C.W. Weatherspoon, Pastor; and Sunday, Mt. Pleasant MBC, Rev. Dr. J.C. Wise, Pastor.
In September of 1992, we submitted our resignation to the Dade United Missionary Baptist Association because of financial reasons. Zion Christian Center was in the process of building its own church building and could not financially support any other organizations.
In September 1995, we purchased a building at 1448 NW 103rd Street as our home church. had to apply for a Special Exception License from the County’s Zoning Department and went before the Board on Wednesday, July 3, 1996. Our application was initially denied based on the Planning Department’s recommendation. We hired a Lawyer, Counselor Jesse McCrary for $3,500. With the help of God and his representation, we appealed before the commission and won the hearing…here we are Today. Thank you Jesus!
On December 15, 1996 Dea. Curtis was officially licensed and later ordained as a reverend and installed as the pastor by the late Rev. Dr. W.R. Roundtree, pastor. New Mt. Pleasant MBC. Bro. Meadows was ordained a year later as a reverend. In the year 2000, we joined the Fellowship Missionary Association of Dade County, Rev. George R. Davis, Moderator, recommended by Sis. Edna Lott, of Mt. Aaron MBC. We were blessed financially by being a part of the association. The reason for its existence, at that time, was to help one another and all finances taken in doing its quarterly rotating meetings remained at each church. We had our first Revival, December 10 – 12, 2003, Prophetess Sophia Sears, (Freeport, Grand Bahama) Revivalist.
In November 2004, we joined a group of churches for Communion services the first Sunday of every month in the evenings, and are still an active member.
One of our members, Pamela Burnett, a breast cancer survivor, had a burning desire to help others who are going through what she went through and approached the pastor about forming an organization. He agreed and hence, The Beautiful Gate Cancer Support and Resource Center was born and incorporated on January 18, 2006 as a ministry of the church. The president is Pamela Burnett and Vice President, First Lady Martha Curtis. First Annual Benefit Service The Purple Hat” was held Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. The Beautiful Gate has two support groups, North Miami and Hallandale, FL which is funded by Susan G. Komen For The Cure, and now has its own 501(c)(3) status and branched off on its own.
February 22, 2009, Ministers Randolph and Linder Stokely was ordained as reverends. January 2010 a devastated earthquake hit Port au Prince, Haiti killing thousands of people and leaving thousands homeless. In February we assisted them with chairs and donated other items through a local Haitian church, Christ Baptist Church, Rev. Christopher Francois, Pastor. We have also assisted other churches that needed our help by allowing them to temporarily use our facility, free of charge, for their worship services. (Lily of the Valley Outreach Ministries, Restoration Life Changing Ministries, Spirit of the Lord Ministries, Christ Baptist Church (Haitian), and House of Love & Restoration (Spanish).
February 18, 2011 licensed Sis. Pamela Burnett as Minister and Sis. Annette Hanna as Evangelist. Also during that year licensed Bro. Leventhol Curtis as Minister of Music.
July 27, 2014 had an appreciation service for Rev. Randolph and Rev. Linder Stokely along with the licensing of their grandson, Bro. Jefferson B. Renfro as Youth Minister.
Each year we continue to celebrate the church anniversary in April and the pastor’s anniversary in August, and other fund raising activities throughout the year.
Pray for us as we continue to labor in the vineyard of the Lord……