Tuscaloosa Pastor of the Week: Pastor Dr. Vernon Swift
Dr. Vernon Swift is pastor of the Elizabeth Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and President of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc. He is also Vice President of the Southwest Region of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Reverend Swift has served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Alabama and instructor of the Partlow State School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Born in West Point, MS to Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Swift and a graduate of Fifth Street High School, Pastor Swift’s educational accomplishments include an Associate Degree in Social Science from Mary Holmes College in West Point, MS, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, AL, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Alabama. Pastor Swift completed additional studies at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, Southeastern Bible College of Birmingham, AL, Howard Extension of Samford University in Tuscaloosa, AL and the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College in Birmingham, AL. In 1983 Mary Holmes College bestowed upon him the Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree. Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College, in May 2010, also bestowed upon Pastor Swift an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree.
Since becoming pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church, Dr. Swift has fostered numerous accomplishments, including the building of a two-story, multi-purpose Family Life Center. Under his leadership, the church has grown spiritually and numerically, resulting in a new $5 million ultra-modern sanctuary which can accommodate over eight hundred worshippers.
Pastor Swift is a gifted preacher and teacher. He has preached throughout the United States, carrying the Word of the Lord to the unsaved. In addition to his many pastoral duties, he finds time to participate in many religious and civic organizations. Among his religious affiliations, he has served as president of the Tuscaloosa Ministerial Fellowship, lecturer to the Alabama State Women’s Convention, spiritual adviser to the Matron’s Department of the New Antioch Bethlehem District Association, president of the Tuscaloosa County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, vice-moderator of the New Antioch Bethlehem District Association, first vice president of the Northwest District State Convention, and second vice-president of the Alabama State Convention. He is also the founder and chairman of the board of the Elizabeth Project Care, Inc., an organization that includes 100 Boys/100Men Program, Senior Citizens, Substance Abuse Program and Child Development Center.
In 2005, Pastor Swift was named moderator of the New Antioch Bethlehem District Association of Tuscaloosa County. On November 16, 2006, Pastor Swift was elected vice president-at-large of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc. In 2010, he was elected president of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention, Inc., where he has made numerous contributions to the Selma University campus and curriculum. In 2014, Pastor Swift was re-elected to a second term as president. His vision is to continue to move the state of Alabama “Forward, Onward, and Upward in Christ Jesus through Witness.” Pastor Swift most recently has been appointed as the vice-president of the Southwest Region of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Among Pastor Swift’s civic affiliations, he has served as a board member for the Benjamin Barnes YMCA, the United Way of West Alabama, the American Red Cross and chairman of the Board of the Alabama State SCLC. Pastor Swift has received many accolades and awards for his community involvement. He received recognition in 2006 as Citizen of the Year awarded by the Concerned Citizens of Tuscaloosa County. In 2014, he received the Community Foundation of Tuscaloosa County Outstanding Leadership Award.
Praise 93.3. & 790 WTSK salutes Dr. Vernon Swift of the Elizabeth Baptist Church as our Tuscaloosa pastor of the week and I encourage you to visit this awesome well known congregation.
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