Our Church History

The history of Judson Baptist Church shows evidence of a people with a commitment to Jesus Christ, His Church and His Cause! Our beginning can be traced to a small group of citizens who had a desire to establish a ministry that worships the Lord Jesus Christ in the community of Carson, California. Therefore, in the early 1950’s, the group began meeting in their homes to fellowship and worship. Minister D. S. Bennett, under the auspices of the American Baptist Los Angeles City Mission Society (LACMS), sensed the ministerial need of the people and gave leadership to the group. The church moved its worship services to the Towne Avenue Elementary School where it received encouraging prayers and assistance from various men of God, most notably a personal visit from Evangelist Billy Graham!

Under the assistance and guidance of LACMS, a newly constructed building was erected at 18101 South Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA. This site became Judson’s first home andon June 26, 1953, the church was officially incorporated and named in honor of the great missionary Adoniram Judson.

Dr. Paul Garrison, along with his wife Jeannine, served as the first official Pastor of Judson Baptist Church of Carson for approximately four andone-half years. Dr. Garrison was a graduate of Eastern Baptist Seminary. He also earned degrees in Sociology and Psychology at the University of Redlands. Upon the passing of Dr. Garrison, Minister Bernie Yorton served as interim pastor.

On December 24, 1996, after 27 years of service, Dr. James Ford was called home to be with the LORD. For the next two years, Judson remained without a Shepherd. After a season of persistent prayer, God answered and blessed us with an anointed man of God. In May 1998, Dr. Johnny V. Baylor became the third pastor of Judson Baptist Church of Carson. His preaching and teaching ministry was internationally reknown.He was a global figure that preached all over the world!

The Judson church family grew spiritually and numerically under Dr. Baylor’s leadership. Judson’s outreach ministries included a Praise-in-the-Park Worship Service and Resurrection Worship Services that were held at the Carson Community Center as well as Nursing Home visitations. Under Dr. Baylor’s leadership, the Christian Education Ministry was expanded to include the Children’s Church Ministry, Leadership Training, Ministerial Training, a YouthMinister, Speak Life Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and Bible Study; two pastoral Bible Studies, diverse Bible enrichment classes (Panning for Gold), workshops for spiritual growth and bi-annual Spiritual Emphasis services for church renewal. The church upgraded its media equipment to state-of-the-art sound systems, cameras, and video screens. Other ministries established under Dr. Baylor’s leadership include the Music Ministry (Voices of Praise) with the addition of a full-time Director of Music and staff, Youth Music Ministry (Vision), Vessels of Praise Liturgical Dance Ministry, Sign Ministry for the hearing impaired (Hands of Grace), Decision Counselors, Senior Support Ministry, Parking & Security, Prison and Culinary Ministries. A 25-passenger bus and two 14-passenger vans were acquired to meet the transportation needs of those who do not drive. Additionally, worshipers enjoyed a beautifully renovatedand decorated sanctuary and fellowship hall surrounded by the manicured church grounds.Dr. Baylor was partnered in ministry by his capable companion Dr. Sarai Baylor who served in various leadership capacities.

The Judson family was saddened on Resurrection Sunday, April 5, 2020 when pastor, leader and visionary, Dr. Johnny Verne Baylor went home to be with his Lord, Jesus Christ. Our grief was further exasperated by the worldwide Pandemic of 2020 which prevented us from gathering in mass to celebrate hislife and legacy. However, the finger prints of this powerful man of God is all over Judson Baptist Church.His memory and ministry shall forever live on through us!