Pastor Alvin J. Baker is the son of the late Reverend William F. Baker, Jr. and Mrs. Christa Bell Baker of Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Kingsland, Georgia on March 24, 1951. Pastor Baker confessed Christ at an early and was baptized under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. W. Q. Rodgers, at Summerville M. B. Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Later, Pastor Baker held membership at Mount Canaan M. B. Church. In 1988 he joined New Bethel M. B. Church of Lake City, Florida under the pastoral leadership of the late Rev. C. C. Rawls.
Pastor Baker answered the call into the preaching ministry in 1998. In that same year, he was licensed, ordained and called to pastor New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. He was installed as New Bethel’s pastor in January 1999. Prior to becoming Pastor, he served on the Deacons Ministry for over five years, the last two of which he served as Chairman.
Pastor Baker was educated in the public schools of Duval County where he graduated from Eugene J. Butler High School. He attended Massey Business and Technical School in Jacksonville. He retired (with 30 years of service) from AT&T Communication.
With a passion for learning and a passion for the Word of God, Pastor Baker deepened his theological knowledge by receiving an Associate of Theology Degree, a Bachelor of Ministry Degree and a Master of Theology Degree from Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry.
As a strong community activist, Pastor Baker is a former member of the Columbia County Branch of the NAACP. He is a retired member of the Communication Workers of America. He is a voice for Citizens with Disabilities through CARC Advocates, a member of the Suwannee Valley Long Term Disaster Recovery Council (former chairman), and the Richardson Community Center/Annie Mattox Park (North) Inc. Advisory Council (former president). He is a former member of the Suwannee Valley Haven Hospice Community Advisory Council and Habitat for Humanity Board. Pastor Baker, along with members of the New Bethel Baptist congregation, continues to partner with civic and educational leaders in the community to mentor, tutor and motivate our youth to strive toward academic excellence. He has been recognized by United Way of Suwannee Valley for his service to the Columbia County community.
In the religious community, Pastor Baker is a lecturer for the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc., an instructor for the Florida General Baptist Convention, Inc. Congress of Christian Education, a former Bible Expositor for First Central Missionary Baptist Association, an instructor for the First Central Missionary Baptist Association Congress of Christian Education, former Chairman of the First Central Missionary Baptist Association Congress Education Board, and former Moderator of First Central Missionary Baptist Association.
He is married to Carolyn Nelson Baker and he is the proud father of one son Anthony Bell, Jr. married to Jacqueline and one daughter Shamika Baker Wright married to Wilbur Jr. He is also the proud grandfather of Anthony, III, Zachary Chandler, Nicholas Alvin, and Adaline Jai, all of whom reside in Jacksonville, Florida.
