•     The call to pastor was extended to Reverend Melford J. Robinson based on the recommendation of Reverend Bailey

•     Church parsonage purchased, 2650 Parkview Avenue for the Pastor and his family

•     Sanctuary remodeled

•     Concrete ramp added and improvements made to parking lot

    •   Growth demanded renovations to include handicapped access; a new steeple; an illuminated cross on the outside at rear of the sanctuary

  •     Morning Worship and Sunday School Classes were held at Austin-East High School during this time while Evening Worship Services were held n the H. J. Bailey annex

   •    Renovations to the sanctuary began and included:  handicap access ramp; steeple; illuminated cross was hung on the rear of the church; six class rooms were added to the H. J. Bailey annex.

     •  Sunday, November 13, 1983, members marched from Austin-East High School to the new Sanctuary for a special dedication

     •  August, 1983, Reverend Robinson founded Metropolitan Baptist Church

     •  Interim Pastor Reverend O. W. Willis served for 18 months with Reverend Samuel Bates (deceased), Clarence Hall, Stanley Hickey, A J. Milton and Tyrone Steen serving as Associate Ministers

•     On February 25, the Pulpit Committee extended an invitation to the Reverend Dwight E. Cook

•     Rev. Cook preached his first sermon on April 5.  Under Rev Cook, the Sunday School was restructured. Sunday School classes in the Youth department were completed. Communion was restructured.

•     Two lots were acquired on the corner of Louise and Harrison Street. 

•     Reverend Cook pastored Payne Avenue until February of 1990.  Under his leadership, the following men were called to the ministry:  Samuel Bates; James R. Blevins; J. R. Cullom; Clarence Hall; Charles McAfee; Edmund McAfee; L. A. Morris; T. H. Northern; Gregory Sawyer; Tyrone Steen; Eugene Thomas and Dewey Wilson. 

•     Rev. Frederick Brabson was appointed as interim Pastor.

•     Under the leadership of Pastor Brabson, the Church Charter and weekly calendar of activities were restructured

•     Rev. E. E. James; James C. Billings and other visiting ministers provided Pastoral services

•     An invitation was extended to Rev Daniel Keys to become the 4^th Pastor of the Payne Avenue Missionary Baptist Church

•     Pastor Keys preached his first sermon on June 27, 1993.

•  The parking lot was again expanded and the Church paid off the mortgage

•    Pastor Keys resigned on February 11, 1996.

•   Pastor Brown preached his first sermon on Sunday, January 5.

•   Expanded and remodeled; many other updates to the office and sanctuary occurred

•   Media Library established with an appointed staff

•   Worship Service; Fellowship Services and Out-Reach programs and recognition of visitors were restructured

•   A Music Committee was organized.

     Deacon’s Care Ministry established

•   Church Council was reorganized to increase member participation

•    Watch Night Service was initiated on December 31 for Fellowship and recognition of the New Year

•    Services relocated to Vine Middle School during major renovations

•    Renovations included: repairs to floor of Sanctuary; Steps added to front of Sanctuary; Sanctuary repainted; electrical system updated

•    Women’s Chorus originated from the Freedom to Worship Service in August.

•    The Men’s Chorus originated from a Men’s Day program – “Men Taking a Stand for God”.

•    New organ purchased and installed in December, 2000.

•   The Church approved an outreach to Mechanicsville Medical Clinic in the form of financial support to their operational expenses

•    Purchased a 14 passenger Van

•   M.O.M.S (Mothers Offering Mutual Support) Ministry originated

•   Super Saints Saturday was held for all males

•   Black History month was celebrated with the Honorable Roland Dykes, the first African American Mayor in Newport, TN.

•   Parish Nurse was established

•   Nursery re-opened

•   Media Library added Video Monitors with Audio for members who could not join worship service in sanctuary

•   A Marquee sign was installed at the front of the church

•   Upgrades to the roof; kitchen; occurred

•   Youth and Pantomime groups grew

•   Rev. Isiah Blackman and Rev. Eugene Carter became Associate Ministers

•   Youth of the church published a book, “The Fruit of the Spirit” under the guidance of Deacon Daryl Green

 •  God’s Blossoms was formed to prepare young girls for service

•   God’s Blossoms was formed to prepare young girls for service

•   Payne Avenue along with other area churches built a Habitat Home on Houston Street.

•   The Church purchased two (2) lots on Houston Street

•   Radio Ministry originated

•   Support of the national program Operation Christmas Child – “The Shoe Box Ministry”

•   The Angel Tree Ministry was born