Brighter Way Baptist Church was founded on September 12, 1993, under the leadership of the late Reverend Robert Grimes and his assistant pastor, Reverend Emma Jenkins.The church held its first service in Reverend Jenkins’ home at 1251 Madison Street in Brooklyn, New York. Just a few months later, on December 19, 1993, the growing congregation secured its first building at 98 Malcolm X Boulevard.

In early 1995, as Reverend Grimes' health began to decline, Reverend Amziah James was appointed the interim pastor on June 4, 1995. As the church continued to grow, a larger space was needed, prompting a relocation to 417 Throop Avenue on December 17, 1995.

Reverend James was officially installed as the senior pastor of Brighter Way Baptist Church on October 6, 1996. Under his faithful leadership, the church experienced steady growth and a significant impact on its ministry. In response to the academic and spiritual needs of local youth, the church launched the Brighter Way Resource and Technology Center on April 8, 2002. The center faithfully served the community until its conclusion in 2015, offering weekly computer classes, academic tutoring, GED exam preparation, and Christian counseling, thereby promoting holistic development and equipping individuals for lifelong success.

On June 14, 2015, Brighter Way Baptist Church relocated to its current home at 251 Rockaway Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, and held its first Bible study in the new space on June 26, 2015. Continuing its mission to serve the community, the church expanded its outreach efforts by offering Christian counseling and launching clothing and toy drives to support families in need.

By God’s grace, Pastor James and the Brighter Way congregation were sustained through the challenges of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Brighter Way continues to be a beacon of light, faithfully serving and making a lasting, positive impact in the surrounding community. As our pastor often says, “If we do it right, it will work.”