LBC's History
Lebanon Baptist Church was founded by a group of pioneers on the southern end of Morgan County, Alabama. Its congregation can trace roots to a church named Bethany, which was founded as an arm of Hopewell Baptist Church, part of the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association, on April 10, 1845. In 1850, about 2 miles from the original church called Bethany, the congregation built a new log structure and changed the name to Lebanon. Church membership growth led to other additions being constructed in 1876 and 1896. The current brick structure was built in 1947 with expansions in 1953, 1957 and 1979. A church pastorium was built in 1966.
The names have changed through the decades, but the legacy of its founding fathers lives on at Lebanon. Since the end of World War II, the seeds planted at Lebanon have grown into a ministry that spreads across our nation and around the globe.
The heart of the church is her people and words of the Baptist Associational leader from 1891 still ring clear: "This church is located in a good neighborhood...it has some good members and if they will all go to work with a will, they can accomplish much."
What We Believe
Lebanon Baptist Church is a cooperating Southern Baptist church who believes that the Bible is the Word of God and is absolute truth, relevant and reliable for every generation. We believe that there is one God who exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God, was born of a virgin, was wholly God and wholly man, lived a sinless life, died in our place as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, was buried, arose bodily from the grave and ascended into heaven. We believe that man is a special creation of God, made in His image, but that through the sin of the first man, Adam, mankind fell so that all men are sinners and need salvation.
Meet Our Staff Dr. Randall D. Ashley, Pastor
Brother Randy and Anita Ashley came to Lebanon January 1, 2002. Brother Randy earned his Bachelor’s degree from Crichton College in Memphis, TN (formerly Mid-South Bible College), his Master’s degree and Doctor of Ministry degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN. He has pastored for 30 years in churches in Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama. Brother Randy and Anita have been happily married for over 38 years. They have four children and five grandchildren. Their youngest, James, is a Marine serving at San Diego California. Brother Randy loves fishing and reading. Anita loves crafts and flowers. And, of course, their grand-children!