Our Story
OUR PASTOR
Rev. Joshua Scott, Ph.D
Doctor Joshua Scott was called as the Senior Pastor of Greater Providence Baptist Church in September 2022.
A native of Atlanta, Ga, Pastor Scott committed his life to Christ at age 7 and answered his call to ministry at age 25. Prior to Greater Providence, he served at a variety of local churches.
Pastor Scott has a passion for preaching, teaching, and shepherding God’s people. He is dedicated to creating a Church that is a safe haven for all generations, cultures, and church experiences.
Dr. Scott’s commitment to equipping people to know and love God has driven him to pursue relevant education. Pastor Scott received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in History and Sociology from Jacksonville State University. He earned a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Morehouse School of Religion.
After completing seminary, Dr. Scott’s varied interests led him to complete multiple doctoral degrees. In 2020 he completed a Doctor of Ministry with a focus on Ministry to Emerging Generations degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. And in 2022, Pastor Scott completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Preaching from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In 2017, Joshua Scott married the love of his life Lauren Scott.
Dr. Scott is a board member for Orchard Resources, a nonprofit based in Atlanta, and simultaneously serves as a board member for McAfee School of Theology. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
One of Joshua’s favorite verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse is the lens through which Joshua views life. Whether Joshua is running slowly for exercise, watching movies with Lauren, eating red velvet cake, or facing life’s challenges, he believes that no obstacle is too hard for God, and with God, every battle can be won.
What We Believe
God: We believe there is only one living and true God, who exists in three persons, God the Father, Son (Jesus), and The Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). We believe God is the first person of the Trinity.
Jesus: We believe Jesus is the eternal Son of God and the virgin-born Son of Man (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the second person of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit: We believe The Holy Spirit executes the will of God through humanity by leading, guiding, filling, teaching, and convicting (Galatians 5:16-25). The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.
Humanity: We believe that everyone is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
Salvation: We believe Jesus died for the sins of humanity as the only sufficient sacrifice, offering the atonement of sins. Through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, we have eternal life (John 3:16).
The Scriptures: We believe that every word in the original writings is inspired by God and is without error (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Church: We believe that everyone who has placed their faith in God through Jesus Christ is a part of the universal body of believers known as the church (Acts 2:41-47).
The Future: We believe Jesus Christ will return for His children (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17).
Our Vision
Greater Providence Baptist Church’s Ministry Approach is called E3
EDUCATE- We educate people with the Gospel and wisdom for life.
EMPOWER- We empower people to believe in the Gospel and to live out their faith.
ENHANCE- We desire to enhance the quality of life of everyone who connects to GPBC.
The vision of Greater Providence Baptist Church is to be a multigenerational community that seeks transformation by EDUCATING people with the Gospel, EMPOWERING people to live a life of worship, and ENHANCING the world by remaining on mission with God.
Our Team
Our minister team recognizes the authority of God, and realizes that we are shepherds who serve under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. We desire to devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. Our passion and goal is to equip the believers for the work of the ministry until we all attain maturity in the fullness of Christ.
Associate Ministers
Reverend Andre Caulton
Minister Deborah Cuthberson
Minister Stanley Easter
Reverend Mary Higgs
Reverend Tanya Lassiter
Rev. Winston Lassiter
Reverend Daisy Perry
Minister Janet Ussery
Staff
Gene Bennett
Priscilla Rickenbacker
Our History
Providence Baptist Church was established in Charlotte, NC, in 1935, under the leadership of the late Reverend S.M. Chappell and a small group of believers formerly of Second Calvary Baptist Church.
After beginning in the homes of the original members, Providence Church met in a rented building at Maple and Kendrick Street before purchasing the church’s first location on North Johnson Street, with remodeling completed in 1949. As the church grew, ministries emerged and flourished, including the Missionary Department, the Usher Board, Choir, and more.
After Rev. Chappell retired in 1962, the church called the late Reverend Robert H. Lewis in 1963 to serve as the church’s second pastor.
After Rev. Lewis served as pastor, the church relocated to 1829 Cleveland Avenue in Dilworth in response to urban renewal. Bishop Green Wilkes led worship until the Providence Church called Reverend Johnnie Wallace, Jr. as pastor in 1973. During this period, the church was renamed Greater Providence Baptist Church to acknowledge the goal of becoming greater in service and ministry presence.
After another church called Rev. Wallace as pastor in 1981, a pastoral search resulted in Greater Providence calling their fourth pastor, Rev. Fred Gibson, who later earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1987. Under Dr. Gibson’s leadership, Greater Providence moved to a temporary location in 1988 until the church at 2000 Milton Road was built in 1989. The campus was expanded in 1999 to provide a new sanctuary, additional fellowship area, and offices. Subsequently, an educational wing was added. The construction of a family life center was completed in 2008.
Today the Greater Providence campus is comprehensively comprised of a chapel, sanctuary, family life center, gymnasium, classrooms, meeting spaces, administrative offices, and kitchen facilities.
Dr. Gibson retired in August 2021 after 40 years of service. He was named Pastor Emeritus in October 2022.
In October 2022, Greater Providence installed its fifth and current pastor, Reverend Dr. Joshua W. Scott, from Atlanta, Georgia. Under Dr. Scott, Greater Providence’s focus is on creating a multi-generational church that draws people to the church with a relevant and applicable ministry for believers and non-believers of all ages, doing so by excelling in the current hybrid reality of onsite and remote worship and fellowship.