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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: Christy Souter
Financial Secretary: Beth Lewis
Baptism Coordinators: Franky & Phyllis Thomas, Charlie & Ingrid Fish
Baptist Men: Murray Mintz, Charlie Fish
Building & Grounds: Mack Odham, Murray Mintz, Danny Gardner, Chez Richmond, Kevin Adams
Bulletin Editor: Cheryl Trick Assistant: Christy Souter
Call List Coordinator: Beth Lewis
Celebrate Recovery: Rod Lattie
Church Clerk: Beth Lewis Assistant: Shirley Cooley
Church Pianist/ Organist: Jeanne Clayton Backup: Barbara Mintz
Decorating/Flower Committee: Teresa Long, Cheryl Samuels, Laura Kinlaw, Celesa Milliken
Event Calendar Coordinators: Teresa Long, Cel Benson, Bonnie Hill
Family Deacon Ministry Chairman: John Cook
Finance Committee: Dennis Cooley, Connie Lattie, Doris Long, Alberta Stallings
Finance Tellers: Shirley Cooley, Angela Herring, Beth Lewis, Bonnie Hill and Deacons
Giving Secretary: Alberta Stallings
Greeters: Nita Faye Henderson, Richie Ferguson
GriefShare: Charlie & Ingrid Fish, Angela Herring, Phyllis Thomas, Shirley Cooley
Helping Hands (Ladies): Barbara Mintz
Historian: Rose Cook, Velma Maultsby
Homecoming Committee: Kitchen, Music & Decorating Committees, Special Programs, Rose Cook
Kitchen Committee: Dennis & Shirley Cooley, Penny Gardner, Nancy Ward, Virginia Daley, Bonnie Hill
Love in Action: Rose Cook
Memorial Coordinator: Rose Cook
Music Coordinator/Song Leader: Kevin Adams
Sanitation & Contract Services: Paulette Viebrock, Bonnie Hill
Senior Usher: Mack Odham Ushers: Robert Mintz, Jimmie Lanier, Franky Thomas, Richie Ferguson
Servant Keeper: Charlie Fish
Sign Coordinators: Christopher Rivenbark, Chez Richmond
Technology: Christy Souter, Charlie Fish
Sunday School Director: Danny Gardner Assistant: Barbara Mintz
Sunday School Secretary: Beth Lewis
Nursery Coordinator: Alberta Stallings Nursery Workers: Alberta Stallings, Sherry Rabon, Celesa Milliken, Paulette Viebrock, Martha Henderson, Cheryl Samuels, Tia Courtney
Children's Church Coordinator: Norma Sholar Workers: Tia Courtney, Charlie Fish, Beth Lewis, JB & Norma Sholar, Angela Herring, Mary Freeman, Danny Gardner
Teens Class: Charlie Fish, Angela Herring, Carigan McDowell
Youth Leaders-Image Bearers: Matt Daley, Debi Odham
Youth Leaders-Kingdom Kids: Carigan McDowell, Laura Kinlaw
Vacation Bible School: Angela Herring, Murray Mintz
Young Men’s Bible Class: Bobbie Howard
Adult Class – Lamplighters: Debi Odham Assistant: Barbara Mintz
Adult Class – Bible Explorers: 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.