Scott Street Baptist calls its new pastor

ELDORADO - After conducting a five-month search, upon the resignation of the Rev. David Pinkerton, at a special called meeting on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018, the members of Scott Street Baptist Church unanimously called the Rev. Richard Malone to fill the pulpit as Scott Street's new pastor.

Malone is the husband of Patty Malone, the father of Carlys, Doug and Angie, and the grandfather of Airiel, Zander, Annabelle, Abigelle, Jeremy, Jesse, Aaron and Jessica.

Malone was called by the Lord to preach on Oct. 30, 2011 and has been preaching for seven years. He was licensed to preach on June 3, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Raleigh. While attending First Baptist Church of Raleigh, Pinkerton served as his mentor. Malone was ordained on March 17, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Junction where he pastored until being called to Scott Street Baptist Church.

Scott Street Baptist Church began as The Beulah Heights Baptist Mission, a mission of the First Baptist Church of Eldorado, in the Beulah Heights area of Eldorado on July 17, 1955. The mission met in a rented store building on the corner of Scott and Jones Streets. The Rev. Cliff Burchyette was the first pastor.

Due to the growth of the mission, ground was bought, and a new building was built on the opposite corner of Scott and Jones streets. The members of the Beulah Heights Baptist Mission dedicated their new building on Feb. 2, 1958. By Nov. 6, 1960, the members of the mission felt that they had grown spiritually and in numbers to sufficiently support themselves as an independent church. On Dec. 25, 1960, the Eldorado First Baptist Church voted to grant this request. On January 1, 1961, Scott Street Baptist Church was organized with 82 charter members and the Rev. Paul Dann Jr. as pastor. Of those 82 charter members, Arthur and Mary Watson remain as participating members.

Rapid growth continued, and major additions were made to the church's building in 1966 and 1978. By this time, church membership had grown to nearly 230. Further expansions and improvements to the church's facilities were made in 1984 and 1988. However, over the years, membership has declined, as it has in most mainstream denominational churches. Today Scott Street Baptist Church's membership numbers around 50, with a core participating membership of around 30.

Including Malone, Scott Street Baptist Church has been served by 22 different pastors over the past 63 years. The Rev. Rufus Davidson was the longest serving pastor, serving twice, for a total of more than 21 years. On May 13, 1998, Scott Street's membership voted to elect Davidson as Pastor Emeritus of Scott Street Baptist Church. Pastors ordained in the church over the years are the Rev. Bill McClusky, the Rev. Arthur Watson, the Rev. Roy Dale Orr, and the Rev. Ron Reed.

Malone and the congregation of Scott Street Baptist Church welcome all to come worship with them. Malone points to the message in Isaiah 40:28-29 of the Bible, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."

If you do not have a church home, Malone says that "Scott Street Baptist Church is here to meet your spiritual needs."

He hearkens back to the old motto that Scott Street Baptist Church is "a friendly church for a friendly people. "