Originally known as “Bible Baptist Church,” Life Church had its humble beginning in 1948, meeting in the backyard of founding Pastor Alexander Thompson’s home. Pastor Thompson was eventually ordained by the pastors of Washington National Tabernacle Church of Washington DC, officially marking the beginning of Bible Baptist Church. He then continued officiating as Pastor until 1964.
In 1964, John Macon became the Pastor of Bible Baptist Church, holding the position through 1979. In 1966, Bible Baptist Church established Clinton Christian School, a ministry aimed at bringing Christ into the local community. Clinton Christian School began in a modest 20 x 49 foot building, with an enrollment of nine kindergarten students and a transportation fleet of one bus. By God’s grace, the ministry grew and the church began to build additional classrooms to accommodate the school’s expansion. Clinton Christian School eventually grew to serve grades pre-kindergarten through 12, and existed in the local community for 50 years before closing in 2016.
In 1972, the vacant Prince George’s County Democratic Club building was purchased by Bible Baptist Church, along with its parking facility and surrounding 24.8 acres. This property was located at 6707 Woodyard Road in Clinton, Maryland. The church developed approximately 10 of the 24.8 acres it purchased to construct a 630-seat church auditorium complex, Family Life Center gymnasium, and classrooms for use by its church and school ministry. On September 29, 2016, the church sold its Woodyard Road property and closed Clinton Christian School after facing financial hardship. The assembly then relocated to Waldorf, MD then, Upper Marlboro, MD, and is now meeting in the Brandywine, Maryland area.
Other pastors who have served this ministry are as follows: Raymond Childress (1979-1990), Larry Spencer (1990-1998), Steve Kooy (1998-2003), Jonathan Bonar (2003-2007), Steve Layne (2007-2018), and most recently, Benjamin Abdelrahman (2019-present).
Bible Baptist Church changed its name to “Life Church” under the leadership of Pastor Kooy.