In January 1981 residents of Forest City, NC contacted the church planting department of Bob Jones University, requesting that an independent Baptist church be planted in the area. Bruce McAllister, a recent graduate of the university, drove up from Greenville, SC and met with several interested families.
The first church service was held on April 5, 1981 at the American Legion building on Westview Street, Forest City. The church began to grow, and on June 7, 1981 a church charter was signed. Tri-City Baptist Church was formed, calling Bruce McAllister as the first pastor. In time, the church purchased the present property on Piney Ridge Road and constructed a log-style church building. Several years later the church constructed an addition to the building, consisting of classrooms, fellowship hall and kitchen.
Pastor McAllister remained until the church was well-established, then turned the pastorate over to Larry Curtis, who was followed by Frank Camp, then Mark Sanney in the 1990s and David Cummins from 2001-2010.Dr. Ernest Childs, a retired professor from Ambassador Baptist College, served twice as interim pastor. Pastor James Hollandsworth officially became pastor as of January 1, 2012.