About us

God began Englewood Baptist Church for one purpose and throughout its history, God has maintained and protected that purpose which is to glorify God by leading all people into a growing, reproducing relationship with Jesus Christ.
After beginning as Englewood Winstead Baptist Mission in September of 1962, on July 11, 1965, the mission met for the first time, changing its name from Englewood Baptist Mission to Englewood Baptist Church. There were 161 charter members. In 1966, the church began construction on its first building on the property located on Englewood Drive in Rocky Mount, NC, which was completed in 1967.
During this time, Rev. Claude R. Walker served as pastor from February 1966 until March 1976. Rev. William Wallace was called as pastor in December of 1976 and served until 1986. During Rev. Wallace’s leadership, the church continued to meet a growing vision for the community by purchasing adjoining land.
In September 1987, the church called Rev. Stephen M. Lewis as its pastor. Under Pastor Lewis’ leadership, the church exploded in growth. In the spring of 1992, the church family decided to purchase the property on Winstead Avenue and begin a relocation process.
In February of 1997, Pastor Lewis was diagnosed with cancer. During his illness, the associate pastor, Rev. Donald Pope was called as the pastor of Englewood. Pastor Lewis went home to be with the Lord on November 7, 1998. Rev. Pope served as the senior pastor for one year. Under his leadership, the church gained a new focus on intentional evangelism.
Dr. Michael Cloer was called as the senior pastor in August of 2000. Under his leadership, the church took the gospel to multiple states within the US as well as over 20 different countries, sending multiple families to the foreign mission field and adopted an unreached, unengaged people group, the Koli Malhar. The church also developed a deeper prayer ministry, launching a virtual prayer wall allowing people from around the world to join together in prayer.
After 20 years of leadership, in January 2020, Dr. Michael Cloer felt the Lord calling him to ministry beyond Englewood and announced his transition out of the office of Senior Pastor. On October 11, 2020, Dr. Cloer passed the baton to Dr. Chris Aiken as the new Senior Pastor. That same evening, Englewood Baptist members unanimously elected Dr. Cloer to the office of Pastor Emeritus.