Church History
With a strong desire for his family to be saved, Rev. Early B. Curtis
founded Little Mountain of Hope Missionary Baptist Church in
September of 1974. This church was founded on the principles of God and
family. Located at 7709 S. Ashland, Little Mountain of Hope was known for
that “Sangin Choir”. It was at 7709 where the foundation was laid. Rev.
Curtis was a man who knew and preached the unadulterated word of God.
Sunday School and Vacation Bible School were a must for the youth. As
years progressed and more families joined the ministry, Little Mountain of
Hope outgrew 7709, and Pastor Curtis began to seek God for a new
location, which we also outgrew within a year. Not wanting to sign a new
lease, Little Mountain of Hope moved into the basement of Pastor Curtis’
home for a few months until they moved into the renowned 6641 S.
Ashland; the building where the walls expanded.
It was at 6641 where the foundation began to be built upon. Feeling that
the time to appoint a successor was near, Pastor Curtis began to seek the
Lord for the one called to succeed him in ministry, and after some time of
prayer the Lord showed him Rev. Slayton Palms, Jr. Rev. Palms was no
stranger to Little Mountain of Hope, as he was always at the musicals with
his tambourine in hand singing and praising God, right along with the
Voices of Hope Choir. When he was first asked, Rev. Palms’ answer was
“let me seek the Lord”. He finally gave the yes, and in July 1985 he was
installed as Pastor of Little Mountain of Hope M.B. Church.
Pastor Palms was a “sought-after” preacher. With the Voices of Hope
Choir always backing him up, he would travel to many churches throughout
the country, ministering in song and preaching the word of God. In the mid-
90’s, God gave Pastor Palms the vision to broadcast, and on every Sunday
at 8pm you could turn your radio on to WYBA and hear the choir singing
“How to reach the masses”, that is if we didn’t open with a praise which
was known to happen a lot. Pastor Palms’ welcoming spirit and the praises
that went on at “6641” brought people from near and far to come and
“See” what it was all about. It was during those broadcasts that many
people experienced the expanding walls, because there was no way all
those people could fit in that space AND give God the praise the way we
did. Many of Chicago’s great preachers, choir master’s, and recording
artists graced the choir stands and pulpit of “6641”.
With the ministry continuing to grow, it was time to move again. This time
Pastor Palms had the vision to build. So, with faith, much work and a
Vision, we moved into our current location at 5716 S. Ashland in
September of 2008. This location has become a place of refuge, a place of
deliverance, and a place of healing. Pastor Palms’ vision for the ministry
was “Salvation and Deliverance”, and he said often that he didn’t want
people leaving out of the ministry with a feeling, but he wanted them to
leave with a plan. A plan to do better, and to live better. Pastor Palms was
a praiser, a prayer warrior, an atmosphere shifter, and a Preacher’s
Preacher. Many pastors in the city of Chicago looked to him as a covering,
and he accepted the call. The ministry continued to grow, and Pastor
Palms continued to teach and preach the word, while also raising up young
adults, equipping them with the word of God, the knowledge of who He is,
along with the practical teachings of how to deliver God’s word. The Lord
showed Pastor Palms the growth of the ministry and gave him one word;
“GREATER” and on November 4 th , 2017, Little Mountain of Hope became
“Greater Mountain of Hope”.
Being a man of wisdom, a leader among leaders, a mentor, and a spiritual
father to other men and women of God, Pastor Palms was elevated to the
“Bishopric” in September 2020, as the church celebrated his 35 th Pastoral
Anniversary. Sadly on Dec. 19th , 2020, shortly after his elevation; Bishop
Palms was called to glory. We thank God for the Man of God in Bishop
Slayton Palms, Jr. Though he is no longer with us, he trained up ministers
and leaders and we thank God for a Son of Little Mountain of Hope, a Son
of Greater Mountain of Hope, a Son of Bishop Slayton Palms, and the great
nephew of Rev. Early B. Curtis, our now Pastor, Rev. Eric Newson Sr.
Pastor Newson accepted the call to become Pastor in March of 2023, and
has hit the ground running. Over the past year our membership has grown
spiritually and in number and is continuously growing. There’s more to
come as we continue to expand the vision of Greater Mountain of Hope
Ministries.
We thank God for the vision and the Visionaries!
To God be the glory for all that He has done and is doing for us, as we are
“Moving and Growing Forward” in Jesus’ name!