Reverend Belt acknowledged the Lord’s call to minister in 2012 and was licensed by Pastor Gregory B. Payton in July 2013. He was originally a son for 56 years of the St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Oakland, under the pastorate of the late Dr. Carl J. Anderson, and Pastor Gregory B. Payton, respectively. Reverend Belt and his wife, Veronica, following the direction of the Holy Spirit, moved their membership to the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Stockton, under the pastorate of Dr. Samuel Smith, Jr. It was there where Reverend Belt completed his seminary education and began preparing for the assignment which the Lord had named and ordained under Dr. C. J. Anderson.

At Emmanuel, Reverend and Sister Belt continued to grow, serve, and work in the Lord’s vineyard, cultivating a new spiritual family with deep roots and lifelong friendships and fellowship. In January 2018, Reverend Belt acknowledged and accepted the reality that the Lord was prompting him to ‘plant’ a new ‘branch’ of the ‘vine,’ but he had no idea where.

In March, Reverend Belt was invited to preach his first Resurrection Day Service in Oakley, California, in the same church building that would eventually become the very location in which the New Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church would be organized. So, after much prayer, with guidance and direction from the Lord, Pastor John (as he is affectionately known) took his wife, sister, and brother-in-law to move forward and plant a seedling in Oakley.

On Sunday, June 10, 2018, the New Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church held its first worship service. It was attended by people who would make up the initial membership: Debbie Ingram, Qwendolyn Hubert, Ayoka Givens, Odette Givens, Shelby Givens, Sharon Cash, and Tommy and Cheree’ Truso. While some have left, all shall forever be cherished as those the Lord has sent to help start this divine and sacred task. Those who have remained became dedicated servants, deacons, and mission workers. Also, the Lord has sent new workers—passionate, prayerful, and willing workers.

On Sunday, August 12, 2018, Pastor John Hope Belt was formally installed as Pastor of New Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church, by Dr. M. T. Thompson, joined by Pastor Michael W. Wallace, Oakland; Pastor Larry Stamper, Stockton; Pastor John Adams, Concord; Pastor Daniel Watts Sr., Stockton; Reverend Ronald Jones, Stockton; Reverend Andrew Hopkins, Castro Valley; and Reverend Michael Gilbert, Vallejo, who was supported by his New St. Paul, Greater St. John, and Emmanuel Baptist Church families.

God is doing great work!

As we continue on this journey, we do so knowing that we have been planted in Jesus Christ, the “True Vine.” We pledge to remain rooted in the Word of God, and we are praising God as we grow together in grace, advancing the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.