“Bridge builder” is a title earned. Today we explore the story of Cullen Baptist Church. It stands as a testament to community activism in Houston.
Cullen Baptist Church started with a vision. Rev. Robert Charles Jefferson founded it in 1977. Before his calling, he ran an air-conditioning business. But his spirit led him to ministry.
Rev. Jefferson was born in 1942. He studied at Texas Southern University. He also attended InterBaptist Theological Center.
Cullen Baptist Church became a haven. It offered care to those in need. Rev. Jefferson’s leadership made the church a center for community work.
In 1991, the Cullen Christian Child Development Center opened. This daycare served Christian youth. Then, in 1998, the Cullen Senior Citizens Ministry started. It provided affordable housing for seniors.
The ministry created “Brand New City, Inc.” It built houses for low-income families. Over 500 houses were built. The number keeps growing each year.
Rev. Jefferson was committed to saving lives. He served as director of religious affairs for the NAACP. He also moderated the Houston Gulf Coast Baptist Association. He was president of the Ministry Advisory Council of Houston.
Moreover, Rev. Jefferson chaired the board of Love Our Kids, Inc. He coordinated summer recreational programs. These served Houston’s Ministers Against Crime, Inc.
He received awards from Governor Ann Richards and Mayor Bob Lanier. Texas Southern University also gave him accolades. The Houston Defender and Anheuser-Busch Companies recognized him as well. These tributes highlighted his spiritual leadership.
In November 2010, The Elijah Challenge visited Cullen Missionary Baptist Church. This organization introduced its Basic Training. Believers ministered healing to those with ailments.
Many testified to being healed. Pastor Eula Washington could see clearly again. She had forgotten her eyeglasses. The Lord restored her sight. The wife of Pastor Louis Tomlinson had cataracts. She could see clearly after prayer.
Pastor Tomlinson had never heard such clear teaching. The church was entrusted with power. They were to heal the sick. They were to proclaim God’s kingdom. This was especially meant for the African-American community.
The goal was to bring God’s people back to Him. It was to prepare them for the Day of the Lord.
Rev. Robert Charles Jefferson’s legacy endures. He dedicated his life to ensuring no one was left behind. Cullen Baptist Church stands as a beacon of hope. It’s a testament to faith, service, and community.