About Big Miller Grove

Big Miller Grove Baptist Church History
What started out as a bible study gathering in the privacy of the home of Big Miller Grove founders, Mott and Phobee Callaway in 1909, quickly blossomed into such a large group of followers thirsty for God’s word that they had to relocate to a two-story building.  They were eventually blessed with a half-acre of land that sat in a large grove of trees on Panola Road in Lithonia, Georgia, thus the name Big Miller Grove Baptist Church.

The members had a sincere interest in serving the community and formed a Boys Mission Club and Busy Bee Club to keep young men and girls off the street and to teach them Christian principles.  The church later housed the Miller Grove School, the public school for Negroes in the area.

Fast-forward 100 years--the founders of Big Miller Grove would never have envisioned the ministry at its present level.  The church now boasts a membership of 1200, offering two worship services each Sunday in a newly built 47,000 square-foot sanctuary. Under the thirty-year leadership of Bishop Fowler, the church offers over forty ministry opportunities for its members.

Big Miller Grove is one of six churches in DeKalb County, which helped to form the South DeKalb Church Federal Credit Union, one of the first of its kind in the United States.  Members in the congregation have helped build homes for Habitat for Humanities and participate in the March of Dimes Walk annually.  Ministry efforts have been featured in national publications, including Black Enterprise, Brides Today Magazine, Gospel Today Magazine, and The National Association of Investment Clubs Magazine. 

Over twenty ministers have received their calling into the ministry under the leadership of Bishop Fowler.  Ten now pastor their own churches. In addition to maintaining a strong community presence, the congregation has been blessed with national and international ministry opportunities. Bishop Fowler and members have participated in medical team missions and several international ministry missions including, Africa, Haiti, and Jamaica.   

Members of Big Miller Grove Baptist Church have a sincere desire to serve the Lord and are whole-heartedly committed to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Upcoming Events

BIG MILLER GROVE
PASTOR'S APPRECIATION
AND CENTENNIAL GALA
October 18, 2008

BMG Centennial Wedding
photos are now available!
Visit the "Special Links"
page to view and purchase
your photos.