Genesis Missionary Baptist Church was born on April 1, 1990. Led by Dr. Robert Porter and Elder Hazel R. Porter, approximately 200 people with a common vision gathered together. These people committed themselves, before God, to form a church built on one principle: the Bible would be their guide in all areas of church life and direction. The following Sunday some 400 people gathered in their first worship service together. Almost immediately God enabled them to acquire the facilities of Trinity Church of the Nazarene.
We experienced immediate growth, which has continued to the present, with approximately 1,500 people in our membership - including many of the charter members. The Porters' commitment to seeing people come to a faith in Christ and take their places in the family of God was unwavering.
It was a sad time but not so much of a struggle when in 1999; Pastor and Founder Robert Porter became ill. He realized that he needed to reset the sails of the ship and prepare for the rough waters ahead. In his typical visionary style, he set into motion his plans for the future of GENSEIS. Through his lovely, gracious and most capable wife, he presented his wish to ordain his sons, Tecoy Porter and Ellington Porter into the ministry so that there would be an adequate number of ordained ministers to carry out the tenants of the gospel. At the same point, he, Rev. Robert Porter, was elevated to the status of "Senior Pastor" with now Rev. Tecoy Porter and Rev. Ellington Porter assisting him as "Co-Pastors".
Without realizing it at the time, this vision and his ultimate decision laid the groundwork for the Porter Brothers, his sons, to eventually becoming the Pastoral Team they are today. The GENESIS congregation accepted this vision as the plan on April 18, 1999. For reasons known only to God, Dr. Porter was called to his heavenly reward in August of 1999.
Recognizing the pervasive way that he planted his vision in the lives of his two sons, the people of the church called Rev. Tecoy M. Porter and Rev. Ellington W. Porter to serve as Senior Pastors of GENESIS on November 14, 1999. Their charge was to lead in the continuation of their father's dream. Under their direction, this vision still burns brighter than ever today.
Through it all, in the background, but as a steady force, First Lady Hazel Porter continued to prove herself as a most graceful, elegant and spiritual woman of God. She was ultra sensitive, intelligent, sophisticated and an independent woman who could hold her own next to anyone. But she was also the quintessential "Pastor's Wife". The Lord saw fit to take Mother Hazel Porter on to Glory on March 22, 2005. But she left behind many touched and gratified people. She had taught entrepreneurial skills to so many. And she'd shared her life with the Lord through her writing of many plays that have been acted out on stage and prose, which have been published. Most important, she shared willingly, freely, and abundantly, to encourage, to inspire and to assist not only her children, Pastor Tecoy and Ellington, but anyone who would listen. Pastor Robert and First Lady Hazel are still greatly missed today by those who knew them.
Genesis has become a religious beacon and inspirational leader in the community with its progressive approach to spreading the word of the gospel through dynamic teaching, educational training and musical ministries. Under the leadership of The Porter Brothers, Genesis is committed to continuing outreach efforts within the Sacramento area, the United States and across the globe.