The Southeast Bible Baptist Church (SEBBC) got its start and its name when two men, G. William Woodward and Gene Johnson from First Bible Baptist Church in Greece felt a burden for the southeast part of Monroe County. After going door-to-door for several weeks, Pastor Woodward conducted the first service on July 19, 1970 in a small rented church facility located at 202 E. Commercial St. in East Rochester, NY. Over the next couple years membership grew and funds were raised. In 1972, the church purchased an old church building from the Penfield Recreation Department and a neighboring house located at the “four corners” (corner of Rt. 441 and Five Mile Line Road) in Penfield.

At the new location, a tremendous amount of renovation was needed to transform the building from what had been used as a youth center into one that was conducive for holding services. In this new location, the Lord continued to bless the ministries of SEBBC. Souls were being saved, people were being baptized and church membership continued to grow. Called to the mission field, Pastor Woodward left for deputation in 1973. Edward Lowell served as the new pastor from 1974 until 1977 when Pastor Raymond Drake came to SEBBC as the third pastor. With God’s blessing the church grew to about 90 members. In 1985, Dr. Bruce Craig became the fourth pastor. Under Dr. Craig’s leadership the church continued to grow. Within a few short years, with every available space used in the main church building, the decision was made to move the Pastor to his own home and use the parsonage for much-needed additional Sunday school classroom space, restrooms and church offices. In the early 90’s, with clear evidence the Lord was blessing the work of SEBBC, the church started to look for land in Penfield to build a larger facility.

In 1992, a 10 acre parcel of land was purchased at what is now our current location at 1850 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road (Rt. 250) in Penfield. Construction on the new 12,000 sq. ft. building started in 1993 and was completed in early 1994 almost exclusively by the labor of the church members. The Lord truly blessed the workers and their labor by providing miracle after miracle in this effort. The Southeast Christian Academy, our K-12 Christian School was founded in 1993, but was initially located off site until 1994 when the building was finished. Over the next 10 years, with the Christian school growing, the youth ministry thriving, an increasing number of people being reached and served through outreach ministries, and church membership growing, the church again felt the squeeze for additional space.

In 2006, the church took the bold financial move of adding an additional 12,000 sq. ft. of auditorium, restrooms, classrooms and office space, essentially doubling the size of our building. In 2007, Pastor Zackary Dressner became the new Senior Pastor and the Lord continued to bless. The following year, the church began local church planting efforts, which resulted in more souls saved, baptized, and discipled.

In October of 2014, Pastor Jim Krohn became the Senior Pastor of Southeast Bible Baptist Church. He had been part of the ministry at SEBBC since 1990 and spent most of that time working with teenagers in the youth ministry, directing Commonground Baptist Camp, and serving as the Dean of Commonground Baptist Institute. He would be honored to pray for you or help you in any way.

One could say that the sun never sets on the ministries of SEBBC as our reach locally and around the world continues with the numerous ministries at the church and the missionary work we support in many foreign countries.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done!