Church Leadership

Church Leadership

At Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Albany, we are blessed with a dedicated and Spirit-led leadership team that serves with humility, integrity, and a heart for ministry. From our pastoral staff to our trustees and administrative team, each leader plays a vital role in guiding our church family, stewarding our resources, and carrying out the mission of Christ with excellence.

Whether preaching the Word, managing operations, or caring for the congregation, our leaders are united in their commitment to building a strong, faith-filled church that reflects the love and power of God.

Pastoral Leadership

Reverend Christopher J. Carter, Sr.

As Pastor of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church of Albany, Reverend Christopher J. Carter, Sr., provides visionary spiritual leadership and shepherds the congregation with wisdom, grace and compassion. His passion for biblical truth and community outreach is evident in every sermon, initiative, and interaction. Pastor Carter leads with a deep commitment to prayer, discipleship, and transformative power.

Pastor Carter was raised in ministry, built on Jesus the Christ our Savior with a great love for family. His great-great-grandfather, Reverend John Raphael, ministered at True Vine Baptist Church in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, in the 1800s. His great-grandfather, Reverend Paul Walker Raphael, was Pastor of the Second Baptist Church 6th District in New Orleans, President of the First District Baptist Association, and one of the original organizers of the Colored Baptist Seminary, later becoming Union Baptist Seminary. But it was the guidance of his uncle, godfather, and Pastor, Reverend John C. Raphael Jr. of the New Hope Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, which inspired Pastor Carter to continue to serve diligently in ministry for more than 20 years.

It is Pastor Carter’s God-given privilege, vision and mission to faithfully and diligently preach, teach, counsel, funeralize, support, provide guidance and leadership, and represent Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in various venues and capacities, both virtually and in person, all in accordance with God’s immutable word. As a former police officer with the New Orleans Police Department, Pastor Carter’s ministry is shaped in rich experiences along with a deep commitment to God’s people, particularly young people. In the climate in which we currently live, Pastor Carter is passionate about leading all people to grow Pastor Carter continues to graciously and humbly answer the call of God as He illuminates the path He has ordained for him.

A true family man, Pastor Carter often shares that his primary calling is to his family and his children, seeing his home life as the first ministry God entrusted to him. Along with the love and support of his parents, Pastor Carter is a father to four individual blessings from God: Destiny, Christopher, Jr., Christee, and Christian.

Pastor Carter continues to graciously and humbly answer the call of God as He illuminates the path He has ordained for him.

Administrative STAFF

Behind every thriving ministry is a strong administrative foundation. Our administrative staff works diligently to support daily church operations, communication, and event coordination with excellence and care.

  • Reverend Christopher J. Carter Sr., Pastor
  • Deacon Henry Howard, Diaconate Chair
  • Mother Sandra Sharp, Trustee Chair
  • Sis. Shakeema Harris, Church Clerk
  • Sis. Tonya Motley, Church Administrative Assistant
  • Sis. Virginia Moody, Secretary to the Pastor