A Brief History of Maranatha Baptist Church

Maranatha Baptist Church began in October 1980 when three families stepped out in faith to plant a church in Rockford, Michigan, committed to the authority of God’s Word and the evangelism of the lost. From a small community building to multiple temporary meeting places, God continually blessed the ministry with growth, salvation decisions, and a united heart for the gospel.

Through the years, Maranatha has been led by faithful pastors and strengthened by dedicated members who prayed, served, gave sacrificially, and used their gifts to build and beautify the Lord’s work. God repeatedly provided—through new families, needed finances, building expansions, youth ministries, missionaries, and countless answered prayers.

The church experienced seasons of challenge, yet every time God proved His faithfulness and kept the doors open. Under the guidance of Continental Baptist Missions, Maranatha became Maranatha Baptist Church and later “graduated” to fully self-supporting status as the Lord continued to add spiritual maturity, missionary vision, and ministry opportunities.

From its beginning, the story of Maranatha has been one of God’s provision and people walking by faith—cleaning banquet halls at dawn, building additions with their own hands, teaching children, supporting missionaries, caring for one another, and trusting God for the next step.

In August 2025, after a season of prayerful waiting, Maranatha Baptist Church joyfully called Pastor Josh Tanner as its seventh pastor. Today, the church continues to stand as a testimony that “God plans His work and works His plan” and that He blesses those who follow Him in faith.