Most of this present generation had known only Pastor Williamson's leadership and now faced the task of calling a pastor. Others ministers realized our limitations and prayerfully joined with us in seeking one to fill the vacancy. On November 8, 1959, the Rev. J.L. Dorsey was called, bringing with him an enviable record as a Christian leader, devoted family man, God-fearing counselor and courageous builder.

When he was called, the church building fund, started under the late Pastor Williamson, amount to less than $5,000. In 3 1/2 years, he increased this amount to $30,000. Accepting God as the Master Builder, Pastor Dorsey, the officers, and members picked up the gauntlet.

Now on the same spot of ground on which his feet made many imprints, today stands a monument to the faith of a believing people.

It was during Pastor Dorsey's administration and lifetime that this church's mortgage was paid. His death on June 7, 1975 set us back in time as we were without a pastor.

Pastor C.L. Bryant succeeded him in 1976. A new bus was purchased under his leadership and he is credited with establishing full time service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Pastor Bryant served only a short time, but before leaving, he laid the groundwork for finding his replacement.

On the second Sunday in August 1976, Pastor Bryant invited a fiery young preacher named Benjamin Lockhart, II to preach the Homecoming sermon. At that time, Lockhart was the pastor at Faith Tabernacle in Atlanta. Impressed with his devotion to Christ and his ability to preach the word, the Senior Choir invited Lockhart back in November for their anniversary program.

Lockhart had been profoundly touched by the potential he saw in the members of Pleasant Grove. He knew after his first sermon here, that this church was destined to be blessed because of the goodness of its people.

On the second Sunday in August 1977, one year to the date after his first sermon at Pleasant Grove, Deacon Copeland called Benjamin Lockhart, II back to fill the recent vacancy created by Bryant's departure. On the Friday before the first Sunday in January 1978, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, by unanimous consent, selected Benjamin Lockhart, II as its 12th pastor.

With the help of God and the leadership of Benjamin Lockhart, II, Pleasant Grove has accomplished many dreams over the last 28 years.

One of Pastor Lockhart's priorities was to pay off the loan on the church bus purchased by Pastor Bryant. The church itself needed some improvements. Central air soon replaced the old air conditioning unit to make for more comfortable summer services. A new PA system made it possible for cooks and counters to hear the sermon in their respective work areas.

The church soon sold the bus and purchased two vans, which saved on gas and allowed travel in two directions. As our educational concernsincreased, so did the need for space. For this reason, Pleasant Grove is blessed to have converted the partiage (on the property) to classrooms and office space.