Remembering our Founders
Of Neighborhood Church of God
Our story is still being written. This history page is continually being updated as we gather photographs, memories, testimonies, and milestones from throughout the life of Neighborhood Church of God. We invite you to check back often as we continue adding more of our history, honoring the faithfulness of those who came before us, and sharing the stories of what God is still doing in our church family today.
Neighborhood Church of God was founded in 1961 by Rev. Archie and Bernice Hunter. Rev. Archie Hunter Pastored till his death in 1979 (18 years of ministry). Archie Hunter's death in 1979, he had ordained two of his sons: Richard Hunter Sr and Charles Hunter Sr, both ordained in 1978. Rev. Archie Hunter's son, Richard Hunter Sr served as Assistant Pastor till the death of his father in 1979. After which time, he became the Senior Pastor of Neighborhood Church of God. Rev. Richard Hunter Sr and his first wife Maxine, pastored Neighborhood from 1979 to 1986. Pastor Richard Hunter stepped down in 1986 and his brother, Charles Hunter Sr and wife Beverly became Neighborhood's new Senior Pastor and First Lady serving from 1986 till the present.
Meet the Founders:
Rev. Archie Hunter Sr. & Bernice Hunter
HIS GOLDEN RULE: "You may beat me preaching the Gospel, but can't none of you beat me living it”. He believed that whatever you are in life, you should be the best you can be. If you are going to be a dog, be a bulldog. He believed in righteous living and challenged others to live right. Because some people say one thing and live another, he often quoted these words..."How can I hear what you are saying when the things you do keep ringing in my ears". He counseled many, even from other churches but he never tried to proselytize anyone else's members. He would work 3-4 jobs trying to take care of his wife and family and was a committed Pastor to his Church. He was Self-employed as a carpenter and mason; He and his wife co-owned Bernice's Kitchenette Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor in late 1960's (3310 N Williams); Bernice and Minnie's Second Hand Store in the 70's and 80's (NE 15th and Alberta).
MINISTRY TIMELINE
He was raised in the Baptist Church in Kirbyville, Texas at the Lilly of the Valley Missionary Baptist Church under then Pastor, Rev L. C. Griner. He preached his first sermon in July, 1944.
Rev. Hunter was a devout Christian and loved Sunday School and Bible Study. After settling in Portland Oregon, whenever he went back to visit in his hometown of Kirbyville, Texas he would always visit the Curtis Community House of Prayer for their Bible Study. The Pastor of Curtis Community was his cousin, Rev. Raymond A. Bluiett Sr. Rev Hunter was ordained in Portland, Oregon on November 20, 1946 by the New Light Baptist Church of which he was a member. The New Hope and New Morning Star Baptist Churches were represented in the council by Rev A. L. Mitchell, Rev Whitehead, Rev. D. W. Whitney and Rev G. L. Cogg. Rev. G. L. Cogg was Moderator and Rev. T. J. Brown was Clerk.
Assistant Pastor to Rev. M. C. Cheeks at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Guilds Lake.
Assistant Pastor to Rev F. E. Williams at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Russellville
Pastored the Shiloh Baptist Church: 1952, 7533 NE Everett
Pastored the Macedonia Baptist Church
Pastored the Christian Community Church
Assistant Pastor to Rev. Victor Brown at Community Church of God from 1958 – 1960
He founded the Neighborhood Church of God Ministry in 1961. He bought the church from Mt. Sinai Baptist Church (where he once served as assistant pastor to under Rev M.C. Cheeks). The church originally belonged a Jewish body named Congregation Tefereth Israel. Mt. Sinai bought a building on 6th and Prescott and sold this church to Rev. Hunter in 1961.
Next Generation
Pastor Richard Hunter Sr and his first wife Maxine, pastored Neighborhood from 1979 to 1986.
Pastor Charles Hunter Sr and wife Beverly became Neighborhood's new Senior Pastor and First Lady serving from 1986 till the present.
More Than a Building—A Legacy of People, Faith, and Community
Since its founding in 1961, Neighborhood Church of God has been a place where faith has been lived out, families have been strengthened, and generations have encountered the love and power of Jesus Christ. Throughout the years, God has blessed this ministry with buildings and spaces where His people could gather to worship, pray, learn, and serve together. From the early days standing outside our original church home, surrounded by faithful members who helped lay the foundation of this ministry, to the sanctuary spaces where Pastor Charles and his family have faithfully preached the Word of God to generations of believers, every building in our history represents a chapter of God’s faithfulness.
Yet as meaningful as these buildings have been, we have always understood that the church was never meant to be defined by walls, pews, or a physical location. The true church has always been the people—those who worship together, pray for one another, serve their neighbors, and faithfully answer God’s call. It is the voices lifted in worship, the prayers prayed in times of joy and hardship, the hands extended in service, and the lives transformed by the Gospel that tell the real story of Neighborhood Church of God.
Beginning in 2020, during the challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic, Neighborhood Church of God entered a season unlike any in its history. When in‑person gatherings were prohibited, our congregation continued to worship, pray, and stay connected through virtual services on Zoom. Through it all, we held firmly to the truth that the Church has never been defined by a building, but by the people of God.
The years that followed brought uncertainty, yet they also became a season of prayer, patience, and preparation for what God was doing behind the scenes. Our storefront building, though a blessing for a time, was no longer adequate for the ministry we felt called to pursue. While we held occasional in‑person gatherings, they were too infrequent to justify the cost of maintaining a space we rarely used. In 2024, we made the difficult but faithful decision to cancel our lease, continue our virtual ministry, and begin seeking a new physical home for worship.
By 2025, we sensed that our people needed opportunities to gather in person again — at least once a month — and to reconnect with the wider body of Christ. So we began visiting congregations throughout the region, especially our sister churches. The first church we visited was Rockwood Church of God, a congregation that had faithfully served its community for nearly 70 years. From the moment we arrived, an immediate connection formed between our two church families and leadership teams. What began as simple fellowship quickly grew into a meaningful friendship rooted in shared vision, ministry, and mutual encouragement.
Later that August, when Rockwood’s pastor, Dr. Jerry Davisson, entered a sabbatical season, Rockwood’s leadership invited Pastor Charles to help fill the pulpit and minister to their congregation. During that time, God began weaving the hearts of both leadership teams together in ways none of us could have anticipated.
Then, in 2026, as Rockwood Church of God prepared to close its doors after seven decades of faithful ministry, the Lord opened a remarkable new opportunity. What once felt like a long season of waiting, prayer, and trusting in God’s timing became a powerful testimony of His faithfulness, provision, and perfect plan. Neighborhood Church of God was blessed with the opportunity to bring its church family into the building at 133 NE 192nd Ave, allowing the light of ministry to continue shining from a place that had already touched generations of lives.
As we step forward into this new chapter, we do so with gratitude for where God has brought us, deep honor for the legacy of Rockwood Church of God, and renewed commitment to the missional work He has called us to in our community. Under Neighborhood’s banner and leadership, the story continues — one church family, united in purpose, carrying forward a legacy of faith into the future.
