Our Vision

Our Vision is simple, it is to see the Lord's work honor Him. We must serve the Lord with hearts of obedience and determination to fulfill His commission. We must also preach and teach the Word of God with grace, yet without compromise. Our church is not about us, it is about Jesus.

Our Staff

• Dr. Rodney Kelley, Pastor
• Tom Young, Minister of Music
• Dr. Robert Kendall, College
• John R. Sawyer, Administration
• Jon Williams, Student Ministries
• R.J. Kelley, Children’s Ministries

Our Music

Our music is traditional hymns, some choruses, and Southern Gospel. Music is only one part of worship. Worship without a sincere heart before God is of no value. Our music, though enjoyable, is not about how it makes us feel, but about how it honors the Lord. Worship focused on man is idolatry.

Our History

In 1954, our church began as Normandy Baptist Temple. After a brief time, Dr. W. A. McMillan was called as pastor. He served faithfully for forty-five years. Before his retirement, he recommended changing the name of the church. After prayer, counsel, and the approval of the congregation, we became West Jacksonville Baptist Church.

Over those years, God sent many men to serve in the ministry. In 1992, our current Pastor, Dr. Rodney Kelley, resigned from a pastorate in Alabama and joined the staff. He first came as our Minister of Music and then served as Associate Pastor. In March of 1999, he was elected unanimously as the Co-Pastor of the church. On December 31, 2000, Dr. McMillan literally passed the torch of the ministry to Dr. Kelley in a very symbolic and touching service. Since 2000, God has continued to bless our church. Souls continue to be saved, as the church moves forward for the glory of God.

About our Pastor

In 1969, at the young age of 5, our pastor trusted Christ as his personal Saviour. At the age of 15, on July 25, 1979, he surrendered to the ministry and knew that he would someday be a pastor. After working his way through a Christian school, he attended Bible college. He returned to the Glen Iris Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama to be trained and intern with Dr. Jack LeGrand. He continued his education over the years, receiving his Doctorate of Philosophy in Biblical Studies in 2007.

Because of the personal investment in his life by Dr. LeGrand and others, he has dreamed of investing in the lives of others that have surrendered to the ministry. In 2003, Pastor Kelley expressed the desire to see a training center started in our church. Out of this desire and years of prayer, Global Baptist College was born. This is just another part of the vision that God has given our pastor.

Dr. Kelley also has a heart for world missions. In the last ten years we have seen our missions giving increase and our missionary outreach has been doubled. He is actively involved in various countries including organizing missions trips for himself and our congregation. In addition, Pastor Kelley has served as a trustee of Baptist International Missions, Inc. and is currently on the advisory board of (B.E.A.M.S.) Bible Education and Missionary Services.

Dr. Kelley and his wife, Joy, have been married for 26 years. They have two children – one daughter and one son. Both of their children have graduated from a Christian college and are serving in the ministry.

Under our pastor's leadership, our church continues to move forward. We have healthy ministries that include all ages and more are coming. We have increased our properties and are preparing for future growth, yet we have not forgotten (through strong, faithful preaching) that we must serve the Lord fervently today.