History of Beacon

Early in 1973, a small group of Christians became convinced that a Bible-preaching church was needed in the Alamance area, south of Burlington, North Carolina.  After meeting for several weeks, the new church was officially constituted on May 20, 1973, with 29 Charter Members, and Gregory N. Barkman, who had recently completed ministerial training in Greenville, SC, was called as their first pastor.  Meeting in the cafeteria of E. M. Holt Elementary School for several months, the church was forced to find another location when a national fuel shortage caused the School Board to conclude that they would be unable to heat the building on weekends.

Providentially, the Lord provided a small church building on Moran Street in Burlington which served the congregation for nearly three years.  Meanwhile, several acres of suitable land were purchased on Kirkpatrick Road near the Municipal Airport.  Construction began under the oversight of P. J. Coble, contractor and Beacon member, and an auditorium and classroom building was occupied in May, 1976.  Steady growth led to the construction of a Fellowship Hall in 1982, paved parking in 1988, and a large classroom and office complex in 1992.  The original auditorium was renovated and enlarged to include a new entrance vestibule and spacious Welcome Center and occupied in 1999 without debt.

More important than physical facilities, pastors and people grew in grace and knowledge of God’s Word over the years, and the church moved to a reformed understanding of salvation.  A growing appreciation for the sovereignty of God in salvation was coupled with a desire to test and, if necessary, reform every area of doctrine and practice in conformity with Scripture.

God has graciously manifested His presence and power over these years in the salvation of souls, strengthening of believers and the solidifying of the congregation.  A daily radio broadcast is aired on a number of stations, providing wide exposure to the ministry of the church.  A church plant in Asheboro, NC, home of several Beacon members, was officially constituted in January, 2009, with Pastor Eric Johnson, after four and a half years of Beacon oversight, and is now officially Providence Baptist Church of Asheboro, a thriving, independent congregation.

Beacon is a disciple-making church with a strong commitment to pulpit exposition, evangelism, and missions.  We emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation and the Lordship of Christ in every area of life.  We gather to worship God and equip God’s people, and scatter to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in our communities and throughout the world.