OUR PASTOR

Dr. Lewis W. Edwards is a native of Daytona Beach, Florida. He and his lovely wife, Albertha McNeil Edwards of Charleston, South Carolina have been married for 40 years. They are the proud parents of twosons and two daughter-in-laws: Marcus and Melissa, and Lewis “Chip” II and Antwanette. They are also the proud grandparents of four grandsons: Dominick, Christian, Ethan and Lewis “Tre” III and one granddaughter: Maliyah.  Alberthais on Family Medical Leave from the Southeastern Conference.

 

Dr. Edwards is a graduate of Oakwood College (University), Huntsville, Alabama with a B.A. Degree in Theology and History. He is a graduate of Andrews University (AU) with a Master of Arts Degree in Religion with a concentration in Pastoral Counseling. He graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree from AU Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. He also became a graduate of Gulf Coast Seminary, Panama City, Florida with a Doctor of Ministry Degree with emphasis in Eschatology.

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Dr. Edwards was licensed as a Baptist minister in 1971 and became a Seventh-day Adventist minister of the gospel in 1974. He has pastored in the South Atlantic and Southeastern Conferences of Seventh-day Adventist for 37 years. His pastorate included churches throughout the states of South Georgia and Florida. As pastor of Elim SDA Church from 1992-2000 in St Petersburg, Florida, he served as the president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, Inc. (IMA) and the IMA Human Services and Development, Inc. with 501 (3) c status serving Pinellas County. He has also served as chairman of the Tobacco Free Minority Committee of Pinellas County.



Dr. Edwards has served as Chairman of the Martin Luther King, Jr Interfaith Planning Committee, as a chaplain at Bayfront Medical Center and as a board member of All Children Hospital Advisory Committee on Human Values and Ethics in St Petersburg, Florida.  Dr. Edwards served as the Director of Pastoral Care at Hospice of the Comforter in 2001. May 2000 – May 2012, he served as the Family Ministries Director (serving Married couples, Singles, & Men), Health Ministries, Medical and Religious Liberty Director of the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventist. He has served as a board member of Southeastern Conference Executive Committee.Dr. Edwards is certified to conduct the CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Project) program for SEC. Presently; he serves as the Senior Pastor for Mt. Zion – Kissimmee & Poinciana SDA Churches.

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Dr. Edwards has conducted Singles and Marriage Seminars internationally. He has received the Adventist Ministries Awards from the North American Division in Family and Men Ministries. He has lead three teams to Ethiopia, Africa and conducted three evangelistic series that attracted more than ten thousand in attendance and hundreds giving themselves to Christ and 157 were baptized. He loves the LORD and loves people.