Hector L. Edwards, Former Pastor (Retired)

Born in Jamaica West Indies and emigrated to the United States in 1961. 

Pastor Edwards worked for Commonwealth Edison Company (Chicago, Illinois) for 27 years.                 

Pastor Edwards received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Trinity International

University in Deerfield, Illinois and his Masters of Arts degree in Pastoral Ministry and Pulpit

Communication from Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.

Pastor Edwards has shepherded Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church since 1989.

Pastor Edwards serves on the Home Mission Board of the National Baptist Convention,

Churches United in the Fight Against AIDS (C.U.F.A.A.); Joliet Regional Care, and Unity

CDC.  He was past President of the Lebanon District Congress of the Christian Education,

(National Baptist Convention); Past Moderator of Lebanon District Association and vicinity;

past Fourth Vice-President of Illinois Baptist General State Convention.  Pastor Edwards

has traveled extensively on Mission trips to Africa and the Caribbean Islands and has been

honored by the Heritage Registry of Who’s Who and the Joliet Chapter of the NAACP.

He is married to Harriet Edwards and the father of three daughters and a son (deceased).

Pastor Edwards has resided in Joliet for over 28 years.

Members of the Clergy

Dr. ANGELO HILL

Dr. Hill graduated from Chicago State University in 1990.  In 1989 he became licensed to preach and was ordained at the New ZIon Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 1992.  Dr. Hill received his Master in Divinity from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctorate in Religious Education from the McCormick Theological Seminary in 2004.  Throughout his service to the Lord, he has served as the Minister of Christian Education for First Corinthian Baptist Church and the New Faith Baptist Church.  In 1998, Dr. Hill became the Assistant Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, a position which he has held until becoming the Pastor of the Mt Olive Missionary Baptist Church.  

In addition to his work with the Church, Dr. Hill is an adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies at Indiana Weslyan University and an adjunct Professor of Theology at Saint Xavier University in Chicago.  Dr. Hill writes standard Sunday School Lessons for Urban Ministries Incorporated, and sermons for the Precepts For Living Manual.

Dr. Hill has been married to Carolyn Hill for 16 years and they have an daughter named Deja. 

Donald C. Johnson, Associate Minister

                                                                         

Reverend Johnson presently serves as Associate Minister at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist

Church.  Reverend Johnson grew up in Mt. Olive and and accepted Christ at the age of 9. 

Reverend Johnson served as a Sunday School pianist, Youth Choir Director and as a Local

and State Youth President for the Baptist Youth Fellowship.  Additionally, Reverend Johnson

served as Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School Superintendent, Senior Choir

Director, Trustee, and Deacon.

Reverend Johnson was educated in the Joliet Public School system and attended Joliet

Junior College. Reverend Johnson received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Music

Education from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL. 

Although born in Phoenix, Arizona, Reverend Johnson grew up in Joliet, Illinois.                                          

Reverend Johnson was born to Charles (a factory worker) and Winnie (a domestic worker),

and is the oldest of identical twins.

After graduating from college, Donald married Jeanette (Jini) and blessed with

three loving daughters - Tami, Tiffani and Tara.  For many years, Reverend Johnson

was a music educator (band director) in the Joliet elementary school system.   During

those years as an educator, Reverend Johnson was a disciplinarian (student advisor).