Welcome to the Grove

On October 28, 1959, a group of believers met at 1061 Hart Ave.  This was the home of Rev. & Mrs. Johnny Leo Kemp.  The purpose of this meeting was to organize a church.  The meeting began by singing “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.”  Bro. Thomas Jackson read Psalms 36.  The church was given the name Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church by Sister Alberta Gibson.

In November 1959, Rev. Kemp and the membership secured a building at 839 Balzar Avenue for worship services.  Rev. Kemp was ordained/installed as pastor by Rev. V.C.L. Coleman & I. W. Wilson.  The scripture which was used was Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.”  Bro. Jack Thomas, Sis. Mable Stant and Sis. Jessie L. Harris was installed as officers of the newly established Church.  The membership at that time was 27.  Among the members were Bro. Billy Johnson, Sis. Eugenia Washington and Sis. Maggieline Kemp.

On April 5, 1964, construction of a Church began at 1189 W. Hassell Ave.  The construction was completed on July 28, 1964.  When the building was completed, the church membership numbered 135.  On January 9, 1966, a cornerstone was laid and improvements were made to the church.

Under the spiritual leadership of the late Rev. J. L. Kemp, the church continued to grow.  Rev. Terry B. Cox, Sr. joined the church in 1991.  Rev. Cox took on many of the responsibilities of shepherding the flock, due to Rev. Kemp’s deteriorating health.  Rev. Levy Washington and Rev. Stanley Hicks also served on the Ministerial Staff during this period of time.  Pastor Kemp passed away on October 23, 1993. The resolution, which was submitted in Pastor Kemp’s honor, concluded with these words:  we resolve that while we mourn his home going, we are resigned to the Devine Will and will keep in memory his consecrated life of service. Rev. Cox served as Pastor from December 8, 1995 to September 8, 2005.  Rev. Willie R. Cherry served as Pastor from June 2006 to October 2017.

Pastor Cherry resigned effective October 29, 2017.  God had a ram in the bush, in the person of Rev. Frank Richardson.  Rev. Richardson remained at the helm from October 2, 2017 until June 16, 2018.  The Pleasant Grove Family praises God for his faithfulness, and also that of Rev. Frank Richardson.

The membership prayed that God would send a man after his own heart.  On June 11, 2018, He sent Anthony Nixon, Sr.    Since Pastor Nixon’s installation on August 17. 2018, the membership has continued to increase.  The pulpit staff now consists of 5 male and 3 female.  Rev. Adrian Allen was recently named Youth Pastor.

Our dynamic worship service, together with our Outreach Program, serves this community with the vision to take the uncompromised Word of God to the entire world – starting with our homes, and then making an impact on non-believers in secular Las Vegas and the Nation with the message of Jesus Christ.  That will never change.  

We thank God for the late Reverend Johnny Leo Kemp, our founder, and for Rev. Anthony Nixon Sr., as we continue to strive toward the vision that He has for us.

Passionately pursuing God’s will and wisdom………

Creative ministry leader, gifted servant, loving wife, dedicated mother, devoted grandmother and an approachable and attentive listener are a few characteristics of this dynamic Woman of God. A woman who truly loves God and her family with every breath and boldly declaring the presence of God. Evangelist Nixon was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and is the youngest of three children.

 In October 1999, she along with amazing husband, Pastor Anthony Nixon Sr. relocated with their family to Las Vegas, Nevada.  In full subjection to the church covenant they united with Greater Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Nathaniel Whitney. On June 13, 2004 Evangelist Nixon received and accepted her calling into the ministry and on February 13, 2011, she was licensed as an Evangelist. On October 8, 2021, she graduated from Faith International University receiving her Bachelor’s in Theology and was ordained as Reverend Melissa Nixon on November 13, 2021 under the leadership of Pastor Anthony Nixon Sr.

Evangelist Nixon is the First Lady of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she has served faithfully providing leadership, love and loyal support to everyone. As she walks alongside her husband, she efficiently helps and is always willing to assist in any capacity. Her role as a first lady is like none other. She is a down to earth jovial and a balanced woman of God.

Having a passion for the Young Adults, Evangelist Nixon tries her best to make sure they never feel left behind, through this passion she has served in the position of a Cabinet Member with the Youth and Young Adults Auxiliary of The National Baptist USA organization. Her desire is to also see women living at their fullest God-give potential, she feeds this desire by selflessly serving as President of The Nevada Northwest Local Chapter Ministers Wives and Ministers Widows Association. 

Evangelist Nixon has always been motivated by a deep love for God to please and learn more of Him being able to nourish, minister, speak encouragement and most of all to be an example of Christ. She is valued and revered as a dedicated servant and extends her gifts throughout different ministries.

Growing in the knowledge of God, Evangelist Nixon was destined for a special assignment. Her life scripture is Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”. While stepping out on faith, desiring to share the knowledge and wisdom the Lord has blessed her with, she has been empowered to conceive S.W.A.T (Sisters’ With a Testimony INC) and to host annually “The Best Is Yet to Come” Women’s Conference.

Evangelist Nixon takes pleasure in the family structure, therefore spending time with her husband, children and grandkids as often as possible is a significant part of her life. She is truly a rare jewel, fashioned by the Master’s touch standing and believing that “Her Best Is Still Yet To Come”.