ASSOCIATE MINISTERS

DR. JAMES CALVIN CARTER, JR.

     Dr. James Calvin Carter, Jr. is the youngest child of the late Rev. J.C. Carter, Sr. and Mary Williams Carter. He was born in Greensboro (Hale County), Alabama, but was reared in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Upon completion of the eleventh grade at Industrial High School, he moved to Youngstown, Ohio with an older sister where he completed Rayen High School.
     Dr. Carter was awarded the Bachelor of Science degree in education from Alabama State University, the Master of Arts degree and a six year certificate in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Alabama; the Master of Divinity degree from Morehouse School of Religion in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
     Dr. Carter’s first teaching assignment was at Cobb Avenue High School in Anniston, Alabama where he taught art and history for six years before returning to his birthplace where he worked as a classroom teacher and as an administrator. At retirement, he had worked thirty years in Alabama as an educator.
     Dr. Carter answered the call to the Gospel Ministry and was licensed to preach under his father. He was ordained to serve as his father’s co-pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He served with his father for two years. He left the position with his father and accepted the pastorship at Salem Baptist Church, Greensboro, Alabama. He served as pastor there for twenty-three years. Upon retirement from teaching, he accepted a call from First Missionary Baptist Church, Sheffield, Alabama, where he served for thirteen years until his retirement in 2002. He also served as a Development Officer with Selma University, Selma, Alabama for one year. After a one year leave, he returned as professor of Church History, Christian Ethics, Christian Education, and Homiletics for several years. He was subsequently appointed Interim President of Selma University for twenty-eight months.
     Dr. Carter has served in several leadership positions at the district and state levels in religious bodies. The leadership positions include: Dean of St. Paul District Sunday School and BTU Congress for nineteen years; Dean of the Muscle Shoals District Educational Baptist State Congress of Christian Education, and as an administrative assistant to the President of the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
     Dr. Carter maintains membership in several national and local organizations, which include: Life Membership in the National Educational Association, Alabama Retired Teachers Association, and the International Theological Society of Theta Phi.
     Dr. Carter was married to the beautiful and charming former Willie M. Matthews who passed away July 2009. He has two sons and grandson.
     Dr. Carter served as Interim Pastor of First African Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama from November 2004 through August 2006.
 

REV. WALTER HINTON

            Minister Walter D. Hinton was born on November 30, 1959 in Birmingham, Alabama to Willie and Eloise Hinton. He is he fifth child among six siblings (three sisters and two brothers). He attended Council Elementary in Ensley, Alabama and excelled in choral studies and of all things woodworks and leather repairs. Minister Hinton graduated from Jackson Olin High School in 1978, where he continued to progress in choral studies under the vocal coaching of Mr. Melvin Cunningham.

            Also, he was an exceptional student in tailoring and an outstanding student in shoe repair. However, English and Literature were his main passions. After a brief tour in the United States Army, where he was a Radio Teletype Operator, he relocated to Chicago, Illinois with his brother. He decided to return to Alabama after a few years. Minister Hinton worked at Spain Rehab volunteer program in Birmingham and settled in later at Eddie Walker Moving and Storage.

            In 1984, Minister Hinton moved to the Tuscaloosa area and worked in the Mental Health and Nursing field. On October 24, 1987, God blessed him with Mary Virginia, the wife he had prayed for and was sent to him. They have five children; Regina (Duluth, Georgia), Erika (Marietta, Georgia), April (Montgomery, Alabama), Glenn, and Patrick both of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Rounding out the family is nine lovely grandchildren.

            Minister Hinton attended Alabama Christian College, where he studied Abnormal Psychology among other required studies in Theology. He also attended Shelton State College and excelled in creative writing and is a published poet. “A River of Dreams” may be found online at Black History.com or in the Poetry Collected. Additionally, Minister Hinton sang with many different groups and choirs, including the renowned Birmingham Community Choir.

            Presently, Minister Hinton is presently enrolled and pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Ministry at Birmingham Theological Seminary with a focus in Evangelistic leadership and Pastoral ethics. As God continues to guide him with His Spirit and groom him with his hands-on approach to the Word and a willingness to love, speak, and carry peace and unity to all, Minister Hinton invites those who are willing to roll up their sleeves and be about this Kingdom work at hand.
 

REV. DON DERAN KEY, SR. 

            Rev. Don Deran Key, Sr., a native of Sheffield, Alabama has been an ordained minister for over ten (10) years. He has been an associate minister at First African Baptist Church since August 2003.

            Rev. Key pastored several Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) churches in Tuscaloosa, Aliceville, Moundville, and Fayette, Alabama.

            Rev. Key loves the Lord and has a real zeal for doing the work he has been called to do. On his job at Tamko Roofing, Rev. Key has an outreach ministry that is a blessing to many of the employees. As part owner of T-S Manpower, Rev. Key provides employment to young men who have had alcohol and/or drug problems, or have been in jail and/or prison. In addition to his present career, Rev. Key served ten (10) years in the United States Army.

            He is married to the former Vera McDowell and together they have six (6) children.

REV. OSCAR J. RIVERS III
 

Rev. Oscar J. Rivers was born on March 26, 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama to Oscar J. Rivers Jr. and Lucille Jones. He was the first child and only son born to this union. Arriving three months early weighing 3 pounds and 3 ounces and 19 inches long, several remarked that Rev. Rivers was feisty and inquisitive. His sister Michelle Rivers, nicknamed “Mickey,” arrived a few years later and his family relocated to New York. At age five, his mother returned his sister and him to their grandmother; Doris Jones and she raised them along with their first cousin Toni. Tough and stern, Mama (Jones) taught them much about God, family, and life.

            In 1982, Rev. Rivers graduated from Ensley High School and enlisted in the Coast Guard. His experiences in the Coast Guard were a true learning experience and aided in preparing him for the years to come. After a four year stay, Rev. Rivers returned to Birmingham, Alabama and worked in a variety of careers including Correctional Officer, Security Guard, and Warehouse Manager. His life has been met with many ups and downs, but God has remained constant. He has protected and blessed him in so many ways.

            Rev. Rivers has three children: Briana; Braxton,; and Rico. In addition to his sister Mickey, he has another sister, Brundie, and a brother Stephen who passed away in 2006. His mother Lucille Jones Brown currently resides in New York and his father passed away August 2004. In December 2004, Mama (Jones) passed away. Rev. Rivers is married to the former Shana Renee Foster. Rev. & Mrs. Rivers keeps Christ as the head and center of their lives. They feel blessed and honored to be surrounded by so much love and support not only from their immediate family, but from their extended family, First African Baptist Church.

REV. DARON JAMAR TIPPINS

     Rev. Tippins was born on August 15, 1979 in Enterprise, Alabama. He is one of four siblings and his parents are Rev. Gregory Tippins and Mrs. Wanda Tippins. Church was not an option in their home. The seed of God’s Word was planted early in his life. His family lived in New Orleans while his father attended seminary and Rev. Tippins accepted the Lord and was baptized at First Apogee Baptist Church. Upon his father’s graduation, the family relocated to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
     Rev. Tippins attended Hillcrest High School and played football. Knowing in his heart the purpose of his life, after graduating with an advanced diploma, he ran from God’s beckoning call and attended Jackson State University. Later, he attended Shelton State Community College.
     Rev. Tippins professed his calling and was ordained at New Zion Baptist Church, Northport, Alabama under the pastoral care of Rev. E.J. James.
     Rev. Tippins is blessed by God with a wonderful wife, Kisha Tippins. They were married on November 14, 2009 and they have a lovely daughter, Ashley.

REV. EDWARD TURNER, SR.

   Edward James Turner Sr. was born during the morning of December 24, 1977 in Burlington, North Carolina. He was the second child of Douglas and Pamela Turner. His older sister is Candace Rather and his younger brother is Phillip Turner. They were reared in Yanceyville, North Carolina. He attended Anderson Elementary School, Dillard Junior High School, and Bartlett Yancey Senior High School. During his years at Anderson Elementary, Edward was a member of Cub and Boy Scouts. At age 11, Edward was baptized at Smith Chapel Baptist Church (Pelham, North Carolina) by Rev. Jimmy Richmond.
   While in high school, he excelled in football, track, and band. He was nominated for the national Wendy’s High School Heisman that was the result of his performance academically as well on the athletic fields. Edward graduated from high school in 1996 as a North Carolina scholar. After high school, Edward attended the North Carolina Agricultural & Technology State University (A & T). While at A & T, he became a member of INROADS Inc., a national non-profit organization dedicated to developing and preparing talented minority male/female college students for corporate and community leadership. He graduated from North Carolina A & T in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and certificate in Waste Management. He moved to Charlotte and began work for the company that provided him an internship during college as a manufacturing engineer.
   On May 24, 2002, he married his best friend from his hometown LaTisha Sharon Lea, after dating since 1999. After almost one year of marriage, they were blessed with their daughter De’La Amari Turner who was born April 3, 2003. In 2005, the Turner family moved back to their hometown of Yanceyville, North Carolina.
   During this time, he began to work with Mannington Hardwood Floors located in High Point, North Carolina as a Process Improvement Engineer. In 2007, his job with Mannington relocated him to their Epes, Alabama facility. The Turner family decided to reside in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. On February 15, 2009, they were blessed with Edward James Turner Jr.
   In March 2009, Edward announced that he had submitted to the calling into the gospel ministry. He preached his initial sermon on July 12, 2009 at First African Baptist Church.
   Currently, he is enrolled at Birmingham Theological Seminary pursuing a Master of Arts in Ministry (Pastoral Leadership Concentration) degree. As God is still working miracles in his life, his goal in the ministry is to share the beauty of God’s love to all of his children, to be a “world changer;” changing the world one mind at time. Making Christ known is the only way to change someone’s heart.
   Do you know Jesus Christ? If you do not know him, I would like to introduce to you this mediator.