Pastors/Staff

Vernon L. Carter, pastor, organizer, and visionary of the Berean Church is a native of Lanett (West Shawmut), Alabama. He is the son of the late Johnnie C. Carter and Juanita Carter Gilder. Pastor Carter is married to Valerie Wright Carter and the father of two sons DeKennon and Keiron, and one daughter, Kristaan.  He is a fourth generation preacher, his great grandfather, the Reverend Brady C. Carter, Sr. was a African Methodist Episcopal pastor and his grandfather the Reverend Brady C. Carter, Jr., pastored several Missionary Baptist churches and organized the Community Missionary Baptist Church in Valley, Alabama.

A SEED SOWN
Pastor Carter’s earliest Christian education started with the influence of his mother, Juanita and maternal grandmother, the late Emma D. Booker.  Being women of faith, they shared their faith with him and made prayer, bible reading, and church attendance mandatory.

A SEED WATERED
Pastor Carter was a member of the Zion Rest and Reboboth Baptist Churches where the faith shared by his mother and grandmother was nurtured. He was active in Sunday school, the Youth Department and the choir.

A SEED INCREASED
In May of 1985, while serving his country in the U.S. Air Force he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and joined the Hillcrest Baptist Church, Republic of the Philippines. Pastor Carter accepted the call into the ministry in September of 1992, he served as an associate minister at the Shiloh Baptist Church, Carrollton, GA  from 1992-1995 and associate minister at the Rehoboth Baptist Church from 1995-2000. He was ordained in December of 1999.  In January of 2000 after serving for three months as interim pastor for the Friendship Baptist Church, he accepted the call as pastor. During his pastorate, the church experience moderate growth. He reactivated Bible Study, revived the youth department, rejuvenated church fellowship and wrote the Church constitution and bylaws and. After pastoring the Friendship Baptist Church for three years, he was led to leave there and return to the Zion Rest Baptist as an associate minister. While serving there, he was led to organize the Berean Church. In June of 2004, the Berean Church held its first worship service.

EXPECTING A GREATER HARVEST
God has given Pastor Carter the vision of “Equipping You for Abundant Living”. Through personal experience Pastor Carter has realized that just living (existing) is frustrating at best, but abundant living (productiveness) is God’s will for ALL. ‘He believes God equips you for abundant living through worship, discipleship, fellowship evangelism, and ministry.

Our Staff

Valerie Wright Carter (Left)
Pastor

Vernon L. Carter (Center)
Senior Pastor

Warren Goss (Right)
Associate Minister

Eric Wright
Facilities Manager
Angelia Thomas
Church Secretary