About NNC The Word Church
Teaching • Touching • Transforming
NNC The Word Church began in 2002 in Greenville, SC, as New Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church, and took the name NNC The Word Church in January 2026.
NNC The Word Church is one of the area's most Word-based, Bible-teaching churches, committed to providing practical biblical teaching for spiritual growth. NNC is committed to serving our local community and our global mission in Ghana, Africa. We help people understand that they, too, can be empowered to arise, go, and prosper.
Meet our pastor
Dr. Carlton T. Newkirk
Senior Pastor and Founder
Dr. Newkirk is the Senior Pastor and Founder of NNC The Word Church.
Pastor Newkirk was born in Albany, Georgia, and educated in the Georgia public school system. After high school, he joined the United States Army and served successfully for 20 years. After retiring from the Army, he joined UPS as a National Account Executive and served for 15 years, supporting local and international businesses.
Pastor Newkirk attended Webster University, studying Business Management. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management with a minor in Religion from Coker University, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) from HGCD Bible College and Seminary.
Pastor Newkirk is President and Founder of Nazareth House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2005. It was created out of a need to provide programs and services such as GED preparation, after-school tutoring, a community food pantry, a community clothes closet, youth summer enrichment programs, adult financial literacy classes, home buying classes, and many other wrap-around services, so that individuals have an opportunity to learn a better way of life.
Pastor Newkirk is happily married to the former Wanda Portee and is a devoted father and grandfather.
Our history
On Sunday, January 27, 2002, a group of 12 determined Christians assembled together for the first time at the Donaldson Center Marine Reserve Building. Led by our Pastor, Reverend Carlton T. Newkirk, and his vision for a new and different ministry, New Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church was born. We use the word born because when something is born, it's fresh and new, with new visions and new ideas, and that's what this ministry is all about.
January 27, 2002
Our first service
Twelve believers gathered at the Donaldson Center Marine Reserve Building, led by Reverend Carlton T. Newkirk, and New Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church was born. Early services were also held at the Mauldin Library.
2002
Choir and community pantries
The New Nazareth Adult Choir was born, with Sister Alberta Houston serving as president. We also began our clothes and food pantries to help those in need in the community, coordinated by 1st Lady Newkirk.
Mid 2002
A first church home
Six months after our first service, the church family moved to 1406 Laurens Road, Greenville, a building that held 80 people.
August 2002
Girl Scouts and Brownies
1st Lady Wanda Newkirk established New Nazareth Girl Scouts and, later, Brownie troops.
September 2002
Our first revival
Preached by our guest minister, Pastor Curtis Johnson of Valley Brook Baptist Outreach Church.
2003
An assistant pastor
Reverend Christopher Holland became Assistant Pastor, serving until 2006.
April 2003
Celebration for Jesus
Our first community Celebration for Jesus: we sing, serve food, pass out free clothing, play games, and have balloons and face painting for kids. Our first guest speakers were Reverend Donnie and Onetha Chambers of Red Hill Baptist Church, Gadston, SC, and our first guest singers and musicians were the Doxie Sisters of Atlanta, GA, and Glen Chapman of Greenville, SC. This outreach is still held quarterly.
January 2004
Room to grow
We moved to 2499 East North Street, a 120-seat church building.
June 2004
Our first church van
We purchased a 7-passenger van.
January 2005
827 Old Airport Road
God blessed us to purchase our home at 827 Old Airport Road, a 299-seat church building.
2005
Nazareth House, Inc.
Pastor Newkirk founded Nazareth House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the community with education and wrap-around services.
November 2005
A 16-passenger van
We purchased a 16-passenger church van.
2014
Chairman of Deacons
Deacon John Mozie became Chairman of Deacons, following Deacon Oscar Scurry, and still faithfully holds that position today.
2023
New leadership
Elder Eddie Portee became Assistant Pastor and still faithfully serves today. In January, Sis. Carolyn Moore began leading the Women's Ministry.
2025
Hospitality and Pastor's Aide
Sis. Melody Rosemon began leading the Hospitality and Pastor's Aide ministries.
January 2026
NNC The Word Church
New Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church took its new name, NNC The Word Church.
Each August, our annual Back to School Prayer Service sends our youth off with free school supplies and encouraging words from Pastor Newkirk.
We are very thankful to Pastor Dennis Smith of Greater New Hope Baptist Church and his congregation, and to the deacons and members of Rock Hill Baptist Church #1, for the use of their baptismal pools our first year. We thank all the pastors and churches that gave us help and encouragement when we started out on this Christian ministry.
We also give thanks for those who have led ministries through the years, including Sis. Nina Rosemond, who led our hospitality ministry for 10 years; Sis. Latrice Green, Praise Dance Team; Sis. Darlene Thompson, Sunday School; Sis. Lakendra Bunkley, Youth Choir; Minister Roslyn Harris, Prison Ministry and Women's Ministry; and Sis. Shirley McClary and Minister Terry Jones, our ministry at West Side nursing home.
Thanks to the vision and great insight of Pastor Carlton T. Newkirk, NNC The Word Church will move forward to bigger and better things through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, because what you read about today is only the beginning of great things to come.
Leadership
Pastoral leadership
Dr. Carlton T. NewkirkSenior Pastor and Founder
1st Lady Wanda NewkirkFirst Lady; Executive Director, Nazareth House, Inc.- Elder Eddie PorteeAssistant Pastor
Deacons
- Deacon John MozieChairman of Deacons and Church Business Manager
- Deacon Oscar ScurryDeacon
- Deacon Eddie PorteeDeacon
- Deacon Carrie RosemondDeacon; Girl Scouts Ministry
Ministry leaders
- Sis. Angie MozieChurch Finance Officer
- Sis. Carolyn MooreWomen's Ministry
- Sis. Melody RosemonHospitality and Pastor's Aide Ministry
- Sis. Shirley McClaryGirl Scouts Ministry
Our mission
Teaching the Word of God, touching lives with the love of Christ, and transforming our community one family at a time.
What we believe
- We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
- We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
- We believe the church is called to serve its neighbors in word and deed.