Good Hope Baptist Church had its beginning in 1912 when a seed was planted into the mind of an aspiring young preacher by the name of R. L. Johnson. A small prayer meeting group held its first meeting on May 19, 1912 at various homes. As the attendance grew, they moved to the Flat Shoals School in the Rocky Plains community.

The leaders of the group were devoted friends and people within the community who have long been decreased, decided to form a church. Sister Mary Johnson, who was Rev. Johnson’s wife offered a suggestion for the name of the church and after much praying and consideration, they agreed the church’s name would be called Good Hope Baptist Church of Covington GA.

Deacon Dan Harris of the Rock Springs Baptist Church of Henry County GA was instrumental in teaching and training a group of men about the stewardship and responsibility of becoming a deacon. In 1913 Brother Charlie Johnson became the first ordained deacon of the Good Hope Baptist Church and later, Brother Will Brown and Brother J. H. Bostick were also ordained as deacons of the church. Rev. Johnson served as pastor for 4 years, and his vision and dedication to the solidarity of Good Hope and the Rocky Plains community left a legacy that is still strong today. After four years of leading the congregation of Good Hope, Rev. Johnson left, however his dedication to the solidarity of Good Hope and the Rocky Plains community left a legacy that is still strong today. In 1916, Reverend G. W. Lowe became the second pastor of this church. During this time, the building was enlarged and Brother Dave Dabney was ordained as the fourth deacon.

In 1919, Reverend G. J. Clark became the third pastor of this congregation. During his tenure Brother Richard Johnson Sr., Brother Jake Rogers and Brother David Johnson were ordained as deacons. Reverend Fletcher was called to pastor in 1928 and he served for seven years. Also in the same calling year, Mother Florida Brown was named the second Mother of the Church. From 1935 to 1937, two ministers served as pastor, Reverend A. T. Durden and Reverend Cunningham. In the later part of 1937, Reverend I. S. Jester was called to serve as the seventh pastor of the church. He served for eight years.

In the year of 1945 the Good Hope Baptist called Reverend C. H. Atwaters. He ordained Brother Harold Zachery and Brother James Oliver Johnson. Reverend Atwaters served for two years. Then in October 1947, Rev. H. G. Gilbert accepted the invitation to become pastor of the Good Hope Baptist Church. Through Rev. Gilbert’s vision for the church, Good Hope was able to build a larger sanctuary in 1950. He encouraged the church to become a member of the Yellow River Baptist Association, which was a Baptist training organization for rural Negro churches in the South. After becoming actively involved, the church began to grow in many areas. The he first choir was organized and Ms. Louise Walker-Stroud was the first pianist. A Sunday School was organized and Good Hope partnered with other churches in the community to have Vacation Bible School for the children during the summer month. We also aligned ourselves with surrounding Baptist churches in the area to form the Baptist Ushers Association and Missionary Convention that are still active today, and Mother Cora Mae Johnson became the Mother of the Church. During the early 1960’s additional rooms were added and inside plumbing and heating was installed. Also during Rev. Gilbert’s tenure, eleven men were also ordained as deacons. They were Brothers Parker Freeman, Sr., James Sims, Charlie Breason, William Hagan, John Arthur Johnson, Henry T. Johnson, James C. Johnson, John Wesley Johnson, Richard Johnson, Jr., and Fred (Sonny Boy) Johnson, and Brother Walter Usher was received as a deacon from Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Porterdale, Georgia. Rev Gilbert served faithfully for nineteen years, and in October 1966 he was retired from his position as pastor.

Upon Rev. Gilbert’s retirement, Reverend T. J. Giles was called as pastor in 1967. Mother Iola Freeman also became the Mother of the Church and Brother Frederich L Johnson. Rev. Giles served as pastor for two years and during his tenure, he ordained Brother Fredrick Johnson as a deacon. In 1969, the congregation called Reverend J. T. Davis as our eleventh pastor. With an eye on the future, Rev. Davis urged his followers to increase its worship services to twice a month. Mother Iola Freeman became the fourth Mother of the church and served eloquently for several, however upon her death, Mother Rose Ella Davis became the fifth Mother of the church. Rev. Davis was influential in the creation of the J. T. Davis Junior Choir, which was named in his honor and a junior Usher’s Board. An annex room was added, and Brothers James R. Adams, Arthur Richard Johnson and Willie Harold Johnson were also ordained as deacons. During the fall of 1981, Rev. Davis advised the Church that he was seeking other endeavors and would no longer be our pastor and for a few months, Good Hope was without a shepherd.

God never calls one to a task and not equip them with the tools to get His plan done, so with much prayer, faith, determination and the joining of hands, hearts and minds, the church extended an invitation to Eddie J. Tomlinson to become pastor and he accepted. On February 7, 1982 Rev. Eddie J. Tomlinson was officially installed as the twelfth Pastor of the Good Hope Baptist Church.

On May 18, 1986 a Groundbreaking ceremony took place for a new sanctuary. The old church was torn down on March 14, 1987, and on April 15, 1987 the Good Hope congregation and friends entered its new sanctuary for worship. Seven years later the bank note on the new sanctuary was “paid in full”, and on July 7, 1993 Good Hope celebrated with a “Note Burning” ceremony. Mother Rosie Ella Davis remained the Mother of the church for a period under Pastor Tomlinson, but as her health began to decline, she wasn’t able to physically fulfill her obligations. Mother Dorothy Johnson graciously assumed the responsibilities of Mother of the church while Mother Rosie Ella held the title in absentia until her death, after which Mother Fannie Scofield became Mother of the Church. In 2002 Mother Scofield made the heavenly transition, and Mother Mary Johnson-Carr became the mother of the church. Still under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, Good Hope adopted a Mission Statement: “Teaching the Gospel, Transforming Minds, Sharing Hope, and Ministering to the Needs of the People” that has which enabled her to move forth into the twenty-first Century.

On January 11, 2000, Good Hope was incorporated by the State of Georgia, and on May 22, 2000 we received our 501 (c) (3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. God has blessed Good Hope to do many great things over the years, Worship service is held every Sunday at 11:00 am, along with 8:00 a.m. Early Morning Worship service on the second and fourth Sundays. A Liturgical Praise Dance, Drama & Mime ministry was formed, a Scholarships Committee, Music Ministry, Sunday School. Bible Study, Vacation Bible School, Pastor’s Aide, Kitchen Committee, “Classic” Ministry, Bus Ministry, Youth Council, Hospitality Committee, Women of Hope Ministry, Men of Hope Mentoring Program, a monthly publication of the GHBC Good News newsletter, and a Children’s Church Ministry, all of which are integral divisions of Good Hope’s growth and plays an important part in worship service.

Few members remain who can give an account to the history from its humble beginnings to now, but we are living out the visions of our forefathers and are fully committed to the continuous growth concept planted in the minds of our present pastor, current leaders, and members. We have a “dream” deeply rooted within our hearts to continue to climb and to excel. Following the pattern of Christ’s church as described in the New Testament, and in accordance with a vision given to him by God to ‘preach the gospel, transform minds, share hope, minister to the needs of His (God’s) people,

Pastor Tomlinson led Good Hope forward and upward spiritually under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. The vision he received has been embraced by the church and with the assistance of a strong seasoned’ senior Deacon’s Board and the ordination of Brothers Walter L. Brown, Zennie Hendrix, Jr., Eddie Lee Davis, Charles Wayne Johnson, Willie Lee Lewis, David B. Johnson, Sr., Forest Hendrix, Eric Goodman, Bryant Clark and Johnny Peters as deacons, along with Deacon Johnny Weaver who joined Good Hope by Christian experience from the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, the wheels of change began to turn and the church began moving forward. During Pastor Tomlinson’s tenure as Senior Pastor Good Hope a lot was accomplished. The church membership registry consisted of 438 members. Numerous ministries were organized and our Pastoral Staff included Rev. Eddie J. Tomlinson as Senior Pastor, with Prophetess Patricia White, Minster Diane Price, Minister Eunice Johnson, Rev. Walter Brown, Evangelist Alfreida Butler, Minister Joseph Hawkins, Rev. Richard Bennett, Jr., and Evangelist Cosandra Fretwell, Rev. Larry Johnson, Dr. Quentin Fretwell, Minister Elnora Turner, Minister West Roberts, and Rev. Audray McClay as active Associates. Minister Mariolyn Scofield, Rev. David Johnson, Minister Elnora Turner, and Rev. Michael Mabry were also ordained as Ministers of the Gospel and were recognized as Associate Ministers; however they are respectively ministering in other cities. Pastor Tomlinson served at the helm of Good Hope for over 40 years as Senior Pastor; but God saw fit to call him home on Friday, February 17, 2023.

For months Good Hope was without a preacher, teacher or leader. However through prayer, tarrying and supplication God sent Gazzara Mitchell, a powerful and anointed man of God, to continue and improve the work our former pastor had left unfinished. In October was offered the position of Senior Pastor and he accepted. He preached his first sermon as Senior Pastor on October 29, 2023 and on January 24, 2024 Pastor Gazzara Mitchell was installed as the thirteenth Official Pastor of Good Hope.