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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.
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.