REV. DR. TONY C. PERSON, SR.
Rev. Dr. Tony C. Person, Sr. - Pastor Biography
Rev. Dr. Tony C. Person Sr. is a graduate of Cypress Lake High School in Fort Myers, Florida. He was called to the ministry and licensed to preach the gospel at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers, FL. Dr. Person was ordained at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Pittsview, AL. He began his ministry training at the Liberty Home Bible Institute, an affiliate of Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA, where he earned a Diploma in Biblical Studies. He built upon this foundation by earning an additional Diploma in Biblical Studies, Associates and Bachelor’s Degrees from Gulf Shore Christian College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. His thirst for knowledge wasn’t quenched as he pursued to further his education by earning a Master’s Degree of Divinity and Doctor of Theology from International Bible College and Seminary. He also recently received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from St. Thomas Christian University, Jacksonville FL and recently participated in training from FEMA and the Florida State Agency for Persons with Disabilities.
Dr. Person has completed Pastoral seminars at Jasper Williams Ministries accredited through Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta GA and other additional studies in Christology at Trinity Bible College and Seminary, Newburgh, IN. Even now, Dr. Person works to deepen and broaden his knowledge and perspective of God’s word as he continues his studies at Andersonville Theological Seminary, where he received his second earned Doctorate Doctor of Biblical Exposition. (D.B.E) and is presently writing his first book.
CONTINUAL EDUCATION
Dr. Person hasn’t just been studying; he has been serving in the vineyard for some 30 years including 9 years as an Associate Minister, and 16 years as the former Senior Pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church, Immokalee. FL. For 9 years he formerly served as Vice-President and President of the Deacons and Ministers Congress of the Kissimmee Valley Missionary Baptist Association under the Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention of FL.
He has been honored by the Mayor of Leesburg, FL, and presented with a certificate of Proclamation in 2013. He is the former Bible expositor for The Bethel Baptist Association of Florida Inc. In Addition, he's presently a member of the Florida Baptist State Convention and the Lake County Baptist Association of Florida.
He presently serves as a Volunteer Chaplain at Leesburg Regional Medical Center and the Lake County Sheriff's Department, serving on the Sheriff’s CISM Team as well. Dr. Person serves on the Board of the Leesburg Community Development Corporation and as Former Chairman of Religious Affairs for the Tri-City Branch of the NAACP and is a member of the International Conference of Police Chaplains. Dr. Person holds a certificate of chaplaincy studies from the Florida Baptist Chaplain Ministries on behalf of volunteer Chaplaincy training.
Ultimately, Rev. Dr. Person is a servant of servants who loves people. His commitment and dedication to his post is of excellence and has led him to obtain extensive training and certifications through the American Association of Christian Counselors and the International Critical Stress Foundation in grief counseling, debrief counseling, crisis intervention, chaplaincy training and church management.
He is married to our wonderful, caring and loving First Lady Jacqueline Person (aka Marvelous), and they have children and grandchildren. Dr. Person arrived at Mount Calvary having most recently served as an Evangelist and Associate Minister at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Myers, FL.
What We Believe
Since 1945, we have striven to create a strong community driven by the teachings of Jesus Christ, which are the guiding force in the lives of our growing congregation. Through our worship, activities and special community, we give our members the chance to become fully immersed in the wisdom and teachings of the Lord.
At Mt Calvary Baptist, we pursue the Glory of God through worship, ministry, giving and education. We strive to connect with Jesus Christ and to each other, in order to magnify His name. At the heart of everything we do is the understanding that we must love God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, and to treat our neighbors as we wish to be treated ourselves.
ARTICLES OF FAITH
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Bible is the divinely inspired, inerrant and revealed word of God and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction.
WE BELIEVE the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, and that in the unit of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the eternal Son of the Living God, the Savior of men, born of a virgin and equal with the Father in every divine perfection. Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried and rose on the third day according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father.
WE BELIEVE the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, but by willfully disobeying God, fell from that holy and happy state.
WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the work of Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to those that believe in Him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness.
WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
WE BELIEVE that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again.
WE BELIEVE that there are only two scriptural ordinances commanded by Jesus Christ for the New Testament church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
WE BELIEVE the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost.
WE BELIEVE that tithing and offerings are God’s financial plan for this church.