Pastor Gregory V. Black
Although, born in Norfolk, Virginia, Pastor Gregory V. Black was raised in Martin County’s Gold Point community in North Carolina where he also received his elementary and high school education. Upon completing high school, he enrolled in Pitt Community College where he earned his degree and went on to become a licensed Electrician.
Pastor Black is a member of Willow Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Gold Point, North Carolina where at the tender age of seventeen, he became a deacon. He also sang in the choir. He was a young servant at heart running for the Lord, but when God was calling him into ministry to preach His word, Pastor Black ran from the call for a long time until he couldn’t run anymore. He soon realized he had to answer the call. It was in 1992, when he was sent by God to become the seventh pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Stokes, North Carolina; a long-standing ministry that was birthed and founded at the turn of the 19th Century.
Pastor Black is a Giver, a Servant Leader, and a true man of God whose steps were ordered by the Lord long before he heeded and accepted the call to ministry. He operates in the fullness of the gifts and calling and on his life. It is not only evident when he stands behind God’s sacred desk to preach, but even more so in his daily living. As the ministry began to grow under Pastor Black’s leadership, so did the danger of its location next to a busy main highway. God laid it upon Pastor Black’s heart to ensure members’ and guests’ safety while coming to the house of prayer. Pastor Black obeyed, and set the vision in motion.
He is the visionary for the Soul-Saving Center, the new edifice which was erected in a safer location. Pastor Walter Cherry Jr., Moderator Emeritus and long-time mentor of Pastor Black lead the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, September 25, 2004. And it came to pass exactly one year later, the vision for a safer place of worship and a Soul-Saving Center was completed. Sunday, September 25, 2005 at seven o’clock in the morning, Pastor Black led the congregation in an early morning prayer at the old sanctuary before he took the lead that same morning as they marched 1.7 miles to their new sanctuary. Outside on the steps of the newly erected edifice, before a standing crowd, Pastor Black preached a mini sermon message of triumph and encouragement. Later that same day in the afternoon, Pastor Walter Cherry, Jr. officiated the Dedication Ceremony for the Soul-Saving Center which was added to the original name to become St. John Missionary Baptist Church Soul-Saving Center. The Fellowship Hall was named in his Honor: G. V. Black Fellowship Hall.
Under his pastorate and leadership, God has birthed several ministries; Men and Women Fellowship, Men and Women Conference, Homeless Shelter, Nursing Home Ministry, Prison/Jail Ministry where the Youth Incarceration Prevention Ministry was birthed, Food Bank Ministry, Support Ministry, Marriage Ministry, Singles Fellowship, Witness Ministry and Youth Ministry. In 2016, he also led to completion the building of the operations center designed to accommodate the growing Food Bank Ministry. Pastor Black’s sermon messages are broadcasted on Suddenlink’s Channel-25 where listeners can tune in every Sunday morning at 6:30am to hear from heaven. Pastor Black has been faithful while pastoring God’s people for nearly 28 years at St. John Missionary Baptist Church Soul-Saving Center. He is on a mission with the Great Commission at heart to win souls for Christ, reclaim the backslider, and lead the lost sheep back to the fold, to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. He is often sought by young and old alike for his keen spiritual guidance and the wisdom that God has bestowed upon him. The ministry continues to grow and is expanding in its reach touching the lives of God’s people globally every day.
Pastor Black serves as... 1st Vice Moderator, Middle Ground Missionary Baptist Association Executive Board Member, Middle Ground Association Member of the Planning Committee for the Middle Ground Association Served 40 years as President, Middle Ground Youth Union Executive Board Member, Interfaith Clergy of Pitt County Former Executive Board member, Healthy Lives Healthy Choice Preached the opening of the 151st Annual Session of the General Baptist State Convention of NC Preached in the Old Eastern Association Awarded Pastor of the Year, 2014 Earned the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. award for Community Service Recognized and Honored by Mayor Allen Thomas, with a day set aside -Gregory V. Black 25th Pastoral Anniversary Day; for kingdom work, servitude and community involvement. Has earned several certificates from the General Baptist State Convention of NC
Pastor Gregory V. Black is not one who dotes on degrees or accolades, his main concern is that people have a "B.A. Degree- which means they become a Born-Again Believer," hence fulfilling the Great Commission of winning souls and making disciples for Christ. You will often hear him tell new converts, “Don’t just join church, join Jesus; because if you join Jesus, he will lead you to your church.” One of Pastor Black’s favorite scriptures is Psalm 121, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord who made heaven and earth.”
Pastor Black is the husband of one wife, Patricia Stanley Black, and they have been married 44 years. From their union, God has blessed them with two sons Cedrick and Grevon Black, two daughters-in-law Tina Black and Tamika Everett-Black one grandson, Caquan Black and four granddaughters, Taniyah, Jamonica, Tamiya and Tamia Black. Whenever time permits, he enjoys fishing, gardening, and riding on his vintage tractor.
