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Reverend Leroy Gilliard, Jr. Pastor
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Rev. Dr. Leroy Gilliard, Jr., is a native of St. Stephens, South Carolina and the seventh of ten children. He received his early Christian training in the St. Stephen Baptist Church. After graduating from high school, he moved to Baltimore began a career in the computer profession at the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, which lasted for twenty-eight years. He served in the military and was awarded the Army’s Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in 1971.
Reverend Gilliard preached his initial sermon in 1986 and was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in 1988 at the New Friendship Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Ralph D. White. In September of 1989, Rev. Gilliard became pastor of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, which has increased in membership and ministries under his leadership. The Bible Study Classes--Rev. Gilliard's favorite--have grown proportionately with the church's growth. From 1996 through 1999 he served as President of the Maryland Baptist State Convention. He also holds several positions with the National Baptist Convention of America, including Sunday School literature writer. He has taught and preached nationally and throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area.
Reverend Gilliard received his Associate in Arts Degree from Catonsville Community College (1977), Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Baltimore (1980), Master of Divinity from Howard University, Washington, D. C. (1988), and Doctor of Ministry Degree at Howard University's School of Divinity in the year 1992. Rev. Gilliard's Doctoral Dissertation was written on "The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Socio-Economic Attainment of African Americans in East Baltimore. He has received many awards from local and state officials for his outstanding leadership and interest in the inner city community. He is married to the former Christine Johnson of Baltimore. They have one son, Dan'te and one granddaughter, Donya. Reverend Gilliard loves teaching, but also believes that preaching is of most importance. His favorite Scriptures are Psalm 27 and John Chapter 3. Rev. Gilliard firmly believes that we should walk by faith and not by sight, and that nothing is too hard for God. His life’s motto has always been, "The Lord will make a way, somehow."
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