✦ About Us: Our Story · God’s Glory ✦
Rooted in Faith · United in Purpose
Committed to Community
Our Pastor: Pastor John J. Kirkpatrick, IV
Pastor John J. Kirkpatrick, IV is a devoted servant-leader, pastor, and community advocate who is passionate about transforming lives through the power of Jesus Christ. He answered the call to gospel ministry in 2002 and was officially ordained in 2011 through the Lanes Creek Association. From the beginning of his ministry, Pastor Kirkpatrick has been committed to preaching the Word of God with clarity, conviction, and compassion.
He began his pastoral journey at Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church, where he faithfully served and led God’s people. Following that assignment, he founded Rehoboth Church of Monroe, where he served the community for over 11 years. Through his leadership, lives were impacted, faith was strengthened, and the church became a place of hope, growth, and outreach within the Monroe community.
In this present season, God has called Pastor Kirkpatrick to serve as Senior Pastor of Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church in Marshville, North Carolina. With excitement and conviction, he is leading the ministry forward with a focus on unity, spiritual growth, and community impact. His heart is to build a church that is not only rooted in the Word but actively changing lives-spiritually, socially, and generationally.
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Kirkpatrick is deeply committed to service and leadership within the community. He is a graduate of Forest Hills High School and Morris College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is the Founder and CEO of The Village Development Center, an organization dedicated to empowering youth and families. His civic leadership includes serving on the NAACP of Union County, Board Chair of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, and as the District 1 Representative on the Union County Board of Education.
Across every assignment, Pastor Kirkpatrick lives by the values instilled in him from a young age: to remain humble, to serve faithfully, and to trust God in every season. His life and ministry are grounded in a simple but powerful belief-when people are empowered, communities are strengthened, and lives are changed for the glory of God.
📖 What We Believe
At Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church, our foundation is the Word of God and a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe the Bible is God’s inspired truth, guiding how we live, grow, and serve. We believe in one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died and rose again so that we may have salvation through grace by faith.
We believe the Holy Spirit lives within every believer, empowering us to live with purpose and reflect the character of Christ. We believe the church is the body of Christ – called to worship, serve, and impact the world – and that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sacred expressions of our faith.
At Piney Grove East, we are committed to living holy, growing daily, and strengthening our faith through a consistent relationship with God. We are a church on the move – rooted in truth, growing in unity, and changing lives every day through the power of Jesus Christ.
👁️ Vision
To be a Christ-centered church where people grow in their relationship with God, strengthen one another in fellowship, and reach beyond the walls to transform our community through the love and power of Jesus Christ.
🎯 Mission
To lead people into a deeper relationship with God through the Word, worship, prayer, and a commitment to missions and evangelism — connecting our community to the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
⛪ Core Values
• The Word
• Worship & Praise
• Prayer
• Missions & Evangelism
♨️ Connect · Grow · Go
CONNECT
Build relationship with God and one another
GROW
Develop spiritually through the Word and discipleship
GO
Reach beyond the walls through evangelism and service
☀️ Sunday
Intercessory Prayer
8:30 AM
Life Enrichment
9:00 AM
Worship Experience
10:00 AM
🙏 Wednesday
WOW — Worship on Wednesday
Noon
Intercessory Prayer
6:00 – 7:00 PM
WOW — Worship on Wednesday
7:00 PM
Leadership and Staff
Our Pastor
Sr. Pastor John J Kirkpatrick IV
Minister of Music
Reggie Jenkins
Church Clerks
Dottie Morrison
Paulette Blakeney
Finances
Treasurer: John H. Leak, Sr.
Financial Secretary: Monique Hailey
Sexton
Mr. James C. Barrett
Deacons
Joseph Blakeney
Morven Davis
Edward F. Deese
William H. Garmon, Jr.
Charlie Leak
Freddie Hailey
John H. Leak, Sr.
Music by our Pastor
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God’s Love Lifted Me
Pastor John J. Kirkpatrick IV
MP3 Album • 1 Song
5 Minutes • 2024
Label: JAVEL MUSIC
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The Church Boy Chronicles
Pastor John J. Kirkpatrick IV
MP3 Album • 2 Songs
14 Minutes • 2025
Label: JAVEL MUSIC
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Ministries
Women’s Ministry Leaders (D.O.V.E)
Dr. Barbara Houston and Sis. Carolyn Green
Men’s Ministry Leaders (M.O.D.E)
Deacon Jerry Hubbard and Brother David Staton
Next Level College and Young Adult Ministry
Sister Terra Nivens and Sister Della Bivens
Missionary and Evangelism Ministry
Sister Delores Ashcraft and Sister Yvonne Savage
Christian Education Director
Minister Donna Barrett
Sunday School Superintendent
Deacon Freddie Hailey
Youth Ministry Director
(Vacant Currently)
Culinary Ministry
Sister Annie Leak
Hospitality Ministry
Sister Sonya Leak
Ushers Ministry
Deacon Joseph Blakeney
Our History
Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church has a rich and meaningful history rooted in faith, perseverance, and the power of God. What began in the late 1800s as a humble gathering known as “The Brush Arbor” or “Singwell” was established on land purchased in 1888 for the purpose of divine worship. Organized in a pine field surrounded by trees and a small cemetery, the church was given the name Piney Grove-a reflection of its natural beginnings and spiritual foundation.
From those early days, Piney Grove has continued to grow and evolve. The church moved from a simple wooden structure to a brick sanctuary, expanding its campus over the years to include a fellowship hall, educational spaces, and additional land to serve both ministry and community needs. Through each generation, God has remained faithful, allowing the church to expand its reach and impact.
Under strong pastoral leadership throughout the years, Piney Grove East has developed ministries that serve all ages, including worship, education, outreach, and community support. These efforts have helped shape the church into a place where individuals and families can grow spiritually, serve faithfully, and experience the love of Christ in action.
In 1998, the congregation moved into its current sanctuary, symbolizing both growth and continued commitment to the work of the Kingdom. In 2008, the church celebrated a major milestone by paying off the sanctuary in full-demonstrating unity, sacrifice, and dedication among its members.
Former Pastors of Piney Grove East include:
Reverends Isom Lytle, Andrew Redfern, John F. Davis, B.B. Sturdivant, J.A. Little, Dr. C.C. Craig, Jr., and Dr. Matthew D. Rouse, III.
We are blessed to have our current Pastor, Pastor John J. Kirkpatrick, IV.
After decades of faithful leadership, God continues to guide Piney Grove East into new seasons of growth and impact.
Today, Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church stands as a church on the move-committed to changing lives, strengthening families, and impacting the community every day. We are a ministry grounded in faith, driven by purpose, and united in our mission to serve God and His people.
We’re a Church On the Move
Piney Grove East Missionary Baptist Church stands as a church on the move.
committed to changing lives, strengthening families, & impacting the community every day.
We’re a ministry grounded in faith, driven by purpose, & united in our mission to serve God and His people.