Thrives

Between 1962 and 1965, the homes of 21 church members were taken by eminent domain and demolished for the extension of the Massachusetts Turnpike (Mass. Pike), according to History of a Church , a book outlining the history of Myrtle Baptist Church.

with several other communities around the world throughout its history. Under Haywood, church members went to Nairobi, Kenya to serve at the Kinyago-Dandora School Project, according to History of the Church

“We had a Missions Ministry at that time that was directly responsible for connecting us with other kinds of organizations,” Johnson said. “One thing that we recognize is that there’s no real need to recreate the wheel. And so it helps us to not expend so much energy trying to plan projects, but to join with organizations and initiatives that are already happening, or sort of fomenting themselves.”

Several church members also helped those affected by Hurricane Katrina in collaboration with the Newton Housing Authority.