Our Pastor and Co-Pastor
Pastor Melvin Ware
Reverend Melvin Ware is a native of Montgomery, AL. He is a high school graduate of the Montgomery school systems. He completed his college education from the University of Alabama where he holds a bachelor’s in accounting from the School of Business Administration. He earned his master’s from the Administrative and Services Institute of the University of Tennessee. He is a graduate of Rhema Bible College, Tulsa, OK and received his Certificate of Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA. He received his Master of Divinity from Luther Rice College & Seminary, Lithonia, GA. He is a retired employee of the Federal Government with 35 years of service. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with memberships in the Alabama Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Rev. Ware has always been a committed soldier for Christ. He was ordained as a deacon at the age of 19 at the Old Elam Baptist Church in Montgomery, Al. His ministry of service has taken him to various churches in Alabama and Georgia where he has served in various capacities within the Body of Christ. He has taught leadership classes within the church and throughout America outside the church. Currently he is the Senior Pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Fayetteville GA. His ministry includes a focused and deliberate effort to reach today’s youth and outreach to the community. In the Community, he is a member of the Fayette County NAACP. He serves as the President of the Christian Association of Public Theologians (CAPT). He is married to Rev. Judy Timmons Ware and is the father of three children: Brandice, Brian and Sharamie. He is the grandfather of ten: Omari, Brayden, Brian Jr., Bailee, Braylan, Darian, Brianne, Alayna, Symone, and Kameron. He is the great-grandfather of four: Devan, DJ, Kayden, and Kameron Jr. His spiritual motto that guides his life is “God Is Still In Charge” and he lives by the creed, “Love Is What Love Does!”
Co-Pastor J.T. Ware
Reverend J.T. Ware received her early education in the Montgomery, AL Public School System. She was among the first 12 students in Montgomery to graduate from Sidney Lanier High School which was a predominately-white school, at that time. She matriculated at Alabama State University and Troy State University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Troy State University. Rev. J.T. also received a Certificate of Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta. Rev. J. T. serves as Co-Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. She assists her husband, Pastor Melvin Ware, with teaching, preaching, and providing servant leadership throughout the church. Her varied positions include: Church Administrator, Director of Education, Head of the Women’s Ministry, Head of Budget Committee, and Director of the Church’s Summer Escape Camp Program. Her professional career spans many aspects. As a teacher, she was also employed by the Board of Education in Montgomery, AL. Within the federal government, Rev. J.T.’s career includes positions with the Passport Agency in Honolulu, Hawaii, positions with the Loan Guaranty Division at the Veterans Administration, with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), she held positions as a Tax Auditor in Montgomery, AL and as an Office Audit Manager Birmingham, AL. She retired as a Program Analyst from the IRS in Atlanta, GA. In November 2006, Rev. J.T. was called into the gospel ministry and received her Ministerial license in October. She was later ordained in November 2008. Rev. J.T. is member of many civic organizations. She holds membership in the Fayette County NAACP Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Christian Association of Public Theologians (CAPT), and started a Fayette County Women’s Ministry in 2010. Rev. J.T. is the mother of two daughters (Sharamie and Brandice), grandmother of five (Kameron, Akevan Symone, Alayna, Brayden and Omari), and great grandmother of four grandsons (Kameron, Jr, Kaydon, Devontavious and Devon). Born as the fifth of nine children to the late Rev. W.F. Timmons and Mrs. Louise Timmons, Rev. J.T. accepted Christ at age 5 and has been faithful in the church all her life. She has served in many areas in the Body of Christ including Sunday School Teacher, Leadership Training Coordinator, Matrons President, Deaconess Ministry, Marriage Ministry Coordinator, Church Secretary and Youth Advisor. Her love has always been working with children. She presently finds joy working as Camp Director during the summer at Mount Olive Baptist Church for the Summer Escape Camp. Rev. J.T. Ware’s Spiritual Motto is “GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME”.