The church has had numerous Pastors before it was endowed with one of the greatest Pastors in its history...The late Reverend E. R. Neal...a man who had something in common with God, they both loved His Son, Jesus Christ. Reverend Neal was a man who was unafraid to step out on God's word.
Reverend Neal served in every capacity of the church, including a tour of duty as custodian. He was called into the gospel ministry and licensed by Mount Olive in 1932. At this time, the church was located at 1508 N.E. 4th Street. Several months later the Reverend E. R. Neal was ordained by Mount Olive to serve as Pastor of the Galilee Baptist Church in Meeker, Oklahoma. After six months of service Reverend Neal was called back to Mount Olive to serve as Pastor. In November 1951, the church relocated to 1205 N. Wisconsin. It remained there until July 6, 1969. While at this location, the Reverend E. R. Booker became Co-Pastor.on February 4, 1968. It became evident right away that he was a preacher of power, peace, prayer, perseverance, principle and personality. The winning team of Reverend Neal and Reverend Booker was unmatched.
After much waiting and even more praying, a $225,000 edifice was erected on the corner of 27th and Kelly Avenue and became known as the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church. For this tremendous act of faith we thank Reverend E. R. Neal, Reverend Neal realized, after we do what we can, God will do what we cannot.
During 1970, several expansion programs were completed, one of the most important of these being the addition, in 1977 of the E. R. Neal Fellowship Hall.
On April 11, 1982, Pastor Neal graciously retired as pastor after having spent more than 48 years of uninterrupted, service. Reverend E. R. Booker became our full-time pastor at this time. After having served as pastor of one year, three months, three weeks and four days, our hearts were greatly saddened when Reverend Booker passed away. His memory will live on in our hearts. The church was blessed by the leadership of this man who had been with us for more than 15 years. Reverend Neal came out of retirement and again became our leader. His constant admonition to the membership was, "children, please keep on loving, praying and working together...that's the only way you will stay together."
On October 23, 1983, a preacher from Blossom, Texas who was pastoring in Langston, Oklahoma came to Greater Mount Olive as our guest speaker, his sermon, "A Charge to Keep" (Matthew 25:29) His name? Reverend A. Glenn Woodberry. Then as the spirit would have it, on December 18, 1983, Reverend Woodberry preach for us again. This time, his sermon was "The Night Before Christmas" (Matthew 2:11-12). Sunday, January 29, 1984, at 6:00 p.m., special meeting was called by Pastor Neal...the agenda was "Calling a Pastor." This was a new experience for Greater Mount Olive, we had never had to call a pastor before. The vote was unanimous. The Reverend A. Glenn Woodberry was chosen by God to lead the flock of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church.
Under the divine leadership of Pastor Woodberry, we experienced another milestone with the move to our present church building at 1020 N.E. 42nd Street on July 30, 1989. Our membership continues to grow, Pastor Woodberry has baptized members every month since July 1989.
We have come a long way by the grace of our Almighty God, but we still have a long way to go. Therefore we are striving to do the Lord's Will in building monuments and lives so that our children will be able to look at our present and gain strength for their future. When their future becomes their present they will be able to look at our past and remember the great things that God has done.