New Monumental Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Greg Odom

October 13, 2021

New Monumental Baptist Church isn’t just a “church in the community” – it’s “the community church.” That’s how Reverend Dr. Greg Odom characterizes his church, a 129-year-old congregation in the Woodmore neighborhood of Chattanooga, TN. In this episode of A Beautiful Church, Greg tells Adam about his background and call to ministry as well as the history, worship style, and ministry focuses of New Monumental.

As Greg and Adam unpack the legacy of the church, Greg explains the challenge of changing outreach styles to youth and the strong, generational faith that keeps the New Monumental community listening to God.

Note: this podcast was recorded earlier in 2021.

Jump Through the Conversation

• [0:50] Introduction and background on Reverend Dr. Greg Odom

• [7:27] How Greg’s involvement in ministry started with music

• [11:20] Church location, service times, connection information

• [12:13] What services are like at New Monumental Baptist Church

• [17:14] Historical background of New Monumental

• [20:14] A brief digression on how Greg’s approach to ministry has been impacted by his parents’ roles in church

• [21:28] More on the history of New Monumental

• [24:13] New Monumental’s impact on the community

• [29:37] On the challenge of reaching youth and young adults

• [35:44] Faith as a major quality of New Monumental

  • The difference between African-American Southern Baptist churches and white Southern Baptist churches

  • The generational and communal aspects of faith

• [43:33] The prayer culture of New Monumental

• [48:07] Greg’s take on what God is doing both at New Monumental and the Church universally in this season

• [50:00] Greg’s exhortation to take everything to God in prayer and to trust Him

Links and Resources

• Adam’s contact info

• A Beautiful Church website

• Chattanooga House of Prayer website

• Give today

• New Monumental Baptist Church website