Our journey together began in 1968. The Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church was organized in Newark, NJ at the home of Ophelia Jones in August 1968. On a motion by Brother James Harris, Secretary, the
membership adopted the name Mount Moriah and Rev. Lucas Wright was chosen to be the Spiritual Leader.
On October 17, 1968 the church became incorporated as Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church by the New Hope Association with an approximate membership of twenty-five members. Mother Hattie Pace
was the church’s first elected Church Mother, Rev. E. Mooreland was the first minister of this body of worshipers and Deacon Johnnie Tucker was the first Chairman of the Deacon Board. Furthering our journey, as the membership started to grow, the church relocated to the Masonic Temple at 37 Fulton Street, Newark, NJ where
Rev. Dozier became our Spiritual Leader. Rev. R. Bradford was later chosen as the spiritual leader of the
membership. Under the leadership of Rev. Bradford and, expanding on our journey the members were able to purchase a place of worship which was located at 836-838 Clinton Avenue, Newark, NJ. The first
worship service in this new building was on the first Sunday in May 1973. Rev. Mitchell later became Pastor of the church. In February of 1976, Rev. Melvin McDaniel became pastor of this church. He served
faithfully as our Pastor, Spiritual Leader and friend. God blessed the church to grow to the point that we needed a larger place of worship. So, moving along on this journey, On the third Sunday in May 1985, we moved into our present church home here at 210 Clinton Avenue, Newark, NJ.
The church was re-incorporated as the Greater Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church.
In September of 1986, Rev. Melvin McDaniel resigned as pastor and on the third Sunday of the same month Rev. Bennett Johnson Jr. was called as Pastor and he faithfully served our great church for over 26
years. On March 5, 1989 Greater Mt. Moriah burned the mortgage to our current building. This was made possible by the faith of the members and the Grace of God. This church has licensed 19 Ministers and Evangelists, many of them have become ordained preachers and pastors. Since relocating to this site God has allowed us to complete many projects for the up keep of our place of worship. At the Church Conference on April 5, 2013, Deacon Willie Josey made a motion that during the interim and as a result of Reverend Johnson’s resignation, the Chairman, Deacon Ralph Swepson become the President in regard to all financial, spiritual and operational matters of
the Church. With the growth of the church and being lead by the Holy Spirit, Deacon Swepson, appointed 9 new Mother’s to the Mothers Board. On Saturday, November 10, 2018 at a called meeting, we elected Minister A. Samar Biggham as our Pastor / Spiritual Leader. The newly ordained Reverend and Pastor-Elect began his God appointed
assignment at Greater Mt. Moriah in January 2019. On Sunday, May 5, 2019 Pastor Rev. A. Samar Biggham was Officially Installed as Pastor of Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. Under the leadership of Pastor A. Samar Biggham, the Sanctuary, the Auditorium and the Dining Room have been renovated. The church entrances have been painted and new flooring has been installed. A new and improved sound system has been installed. Huge Monitors are placed in the Sanctuary so that Congregants can watch the service and read the scriptures Greater Mt. Moriah church services are live-streamed Worldwide via Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
Also, under the Leadership of Pastor A. Samar Biggham, 2 Deacons and 8 Deaconess were ordained on December 18, 2021.
Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church has been blessed to do so much in such a short amount of time, yet there is so much more to do. We trust that, with the Lord's strength, we will accomplish all that God places within our hands, and lays upon our hearts to do for His Glory. We stand upon the promise, “He that hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). We believe God and will continue to trust in him because we know that “Moriah” is the place where God Provides. Our church is taking steps towards a positive change to be relevant in the 21st century. Our journey continues on because We are The Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, the church on the move. We are United in Christ Committed to Serve and as our theme say’s “Moving From Great To Greater, And We Are Moving With Evidence.”
OUR LEADER
Anthony Samar Biggham, fondly known as A. Samar Biggham is a native of Newark,NJ. Samar was called to preach at the tender age of ten years old. At the age of thirteen, he began preaching with his trial sermon on November 9, 2003 entitled " The Power Of Prayer".
Since that time God has sent him on assignment, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, and this assignment truly God has fulfilled.
A. Samar attended Benedict College in Columbia, SC and is currently a student at the New York Theological Seminary.
A. Samar is a member of the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, NJ where he faithfully served as Youth Minister amongst others and his grandfather, the legendary Rev. Dr. Milton Biggham is his pastor.
From that service the Lord has elevated him to senior pastor of the Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in the heart of the city of Newark NJ.
Rev. Biggham is the founder and CEO of Samar Biggham Ministries and The R.A.M.P which is a worship service geared to meet the needs of today's youth and young adults. There they are being trained and taught to Reach A Maximum Potential with Christ!
Pastor Biggham is also an active, submitted and covered pastor of Pilgrim Assemblies International where is pastor and spiritual covering is Archbishop William Hudson iii. Pastor Biggham also serves this organization as the Northeast Regional Praise and worship leader.Pastor Biggham is also an active, submitted and covered pastor of Pilgrim Assemblies International where is pastor and spiritual covering is Archbishop William Hudson iii. Pastor Biggham also serves this organization as the Northeast Regional Praise and worship leader. Since his time of serving he has been elevated to Episcopal Vicar Designate in the Lord’s Holy Church.
Rev. A. Samar Biggham’s lineage carries an affluent history of gospel singers that have shared the heart of God through music for more than two decades. Being the grandson of Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, legendary producer and songwriter, Rev. Dr. Milton Biggham, his influence continues to help cultivate the authentic sounds of Samar’s music.
These indisputable generational gifts, in conjunction with his own special anointing, appeal to gospel music lovers from all walks of life. Rev. A. Samar Biggham is featured on the Georgia Mass Choir album entitled, “Tell It.” He also assisted vocally in the studio on Tasha Cobb’s album entitled “Smile.” During his academic career, he served as assistant director for the Award-Winning Benedict College Gospel Choir.
A. Samar Biggham has also lended his gifts and talents in the family favorite movie “The Preachers Wife” starring Denzel Washington and and late Whitney Houston.
Currently, Rev. Biggham’s new hit single, “Fall On Me,” is on the uprise and is bringing a new sound and appreciation to choir and Sunday morning Music! A. Samar Biggham is also a noted and sought after preacher of the gospel.
Samar's unique God given ability to flow by the leading of Holy Ghost in the preached word coupled with the prophetic and prayer mantle that he posses has blessed the lives of thousands around the country and around the world. This little package tho small in stature stands tall in the power and authority that God has given to his children!
He is a living vessel wanting to be used by God!