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A native of Clarendon, NC, Pastor Ken received the Lord’s call to ministry at age 17. Decades later – after founding and selling multiple financial and technology companies – he answered the call. Now, as Elah Baptist Church’s longest serving pastor, he is working alongside Christ to build a strong community of faith that extends beyond the walls of Elah.
Hailing from Tabor City, NC, Teresa McCumbee Long married Pastor Ken in 1969. As Christ commands in John 13:34, Teresa takes very seriously the call to love another as Christ has loved her. She is often seen passing blessings onto others through countless hours of ministry in the church and community.
Pastor: Kenneth W. Long, Sr.
Deacons: Mack Odham, Murray Mintz, Dennis Cooley, Kevin Adams, John Cook, Danny Gardner
Treasurer: Penny Gardner
Assistant Treasurer: Christy Souter
Financial Secretary: Beth Lewis
Call List & Event Calendar Coordinator: Beth Lewis
Children's Church Coordinator: Norma Sholar
Bulletin: Madeleine Gordon Assistant: Cheryl Trick
Church Clerk: Beth Lewis
Church Pianist/ Organist: Jeanne Clayton Backup: Barbara Mintz
Family Deacon Ministry Chairman: John Cook
Decorating/Flower Schedulers: Madeleine Gordon, Paulette Viebrock, Teresa Long
Greeter: Nita Henderson
Helping Hands (Ladies): Barbara Mintz Assistant Secretary: Cheryl Trick
Nursery Coordinator: Paulette Viebrock
Senior Usher: Mack Odham
Sign Coordinators: Christopher Rivenbark, Chez Richmond
Technology: Christy Souter, Charlie Fish, Paul Walter
Ushers: Robert Mintz, Jimmie Lanier, Frankie Thomas, Richie Ferguson
Sunday School Director: Danny Gardner Assistant: Beth Lewis
Sunday School Secretary: Beth Lewis
Sunday School Nursery Coordinator LAMBS (0-36 mo): Paulette Viebrock
Nursery Workers: Teresa Long, Alberta Stallings, Sherry Rabon, Janice Gaskill, Cheryl Samuel, Amy Mason, Ruby Ramirez
Children's Church Online: Norma Sholar
Children: JB & Norma Sholar (2nd, 3rd & 4th Sundays), Charlie Fish & Angela Herring (4th Sunday), Angela Herring (5th Sunday)
Teens: Charlie Fish & Angela Herring
Children's Roaming Teachers:
Lamplighters: Debi Odam
Secrets of a Southern Baptist Church: Danny Gardner
Originally known as the "Myrtle Branch Preaching Station," it operated under the auspices of the Cape Fear Baptist Association (CFBA). By 1882, the station evolved into the Myrtle Branch Baptist Church, establishing its home just 400 feet west of the Ricefield Bridge on the south side of Old Fayetteville Road.
Within a span of two decades, the church transitioned a mile westward and assumed the name Elah Baptist Church. In 1958, a significant update revitalized the sanctuary, marking a new chapter in its legacy.
During the 1900 annual Brunswick Baptist Association session, Myrtle Branch – alongside ten sister churches – joined the BBA after departing from the Cape Fear Columbus Association. Throughout its history, Elah has been an unwavering supporter of The Southern Baptist initiatives at every level.
As the congregation thrived, the physical footprint of the church expanded. A second story, added in 1974, accommodated the growing community with a fellowship hall and Sunday school classrooms. Even this space was eventually outgrown, leading to the completion of an adjacent fellowship hall in 2006.
Throughout its 135-year journey, Elah has experienced numerous transformations, yet its core mission remains firm: to be a guiding force in the community through the ministry of God's word.