Salem Baptist marks Ellis' first year and eyes North Omaha's next chapter

Salem Baptist Church will mark one year under Pastor Jarvis A. Ellis Sr. on Oct. 11 as the 104-year-old North Omaha congregation looks to expand its role in a changing neighborhood. The church is using the anniversary to reflect on its first year of new leadership and its future beyond Sunday worship.

Why it matters: - Salem Baptist Church is one of North Omaha's longest-standing Black institutions, and its next moves could shape how the church serves a changing community. - The 2,300-member congregation is using the anniversary to focus on impact beyond worship, including relationships across generations and support for families, children, young adults and older adults. - North Omaha is also seeing new development activity, which raises the stakes for how longtime institutions like Salem respond to neighborhood change.

What happened: - Salem Baptist Church will mark the first anniversary of the Rev. Jarvis A. Ellis Sr.'s first sermon as pastor on Sunday, Oct. 11. - Ellis preached his first sermon as Salem's pastor on Oct. 11, 2025, and was formally installed in March 2026. - Salem is a 104-year-old congregation with 2,300 members. - The church is located at 3131 Lake St. in North Omaha. - Salem was founded in 1922 and moved to its current location in 2000 after members marched from its former building at 3336 Lake St. - The transition follows the departure of the Rev. Selwyn Q. Bachus, who served as senior pastor from 2005 until March 2025.

The details: - The anniversary theme is "The Journey Continues: Standing on the Promise," drawn from Philippians 1:6. - Salem describes the past year as its "Year to Reimagine," with a focus on rethinking worship, community-building and service. - Ellis has pushed Salem to strengthen ties across generations and make Christian faith more relevant to daily life. - Ellis said the church should affect life outside its walls, including homes, jobs, stress, hopes and plans. - Ellis said Salem is called not just "to do church" but to be the Church and make a difference beyond the sanctuary. - The anniversary will recognize Ellis' wife, Malloree Ellis, their son, Jarvis "J2" Ellis II, and members who supported the transition. - Greg Johnson, who leads Salem's deacon's ministry, said the congregation prayed, worked, served and welcomed the Ellis family into Salem. - Ellis' installation earlier this year was recognized by the Nebraska Legislature with a congratulatory resolution. - Salem says it is home to the most prominent African American church population in Nebraska. - Salem says its mission is to transform lives by Exalting the Savior, Evangelizing the Lost, Equipping the Saints and Expanding the Kingdom of God. - The church says its leadership has played important roles in Omaha's African American history and religious community.

Between the lines: - Salem's anniversary lands as North Omaha gets fresh attention from economic and community development efforts. - Those efforts include plans for a full-service grocery store near 25th and Lake streets and an innovation district near 30th Street and Ames Avenue. - The timing suggests Salem sees an opening to define its role as the neighborhood evolves, not just preserve its legacy. - Ellis' emphasis on community relevance signals a leadership style aimed at outward-facing ministry rather than institutional maintenance alone.

What's next: - Salem leaders say the church's priorities in Ellis' second year include deeper intergenerational connection and stronger responses to the needs of local residents. - The Oct. 11 observance will serve as both a look back at Ellis' first year and a reset for the congregation's next phase. - Ellis said the church trusts God to continue the work already underway, even as the full path ahead remains unknown.

The bottom line: - Salem Baptist Church is treating Ellis' first-year milestone as more than a celebration. It is using the moment to redefine how a historic church can serve North Omaha's future.