MOUNT CARMEL BAPTIST CHURCH - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Pastor
- Senior Pastor at the Historic
With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Donald D. Moore is recognized as a strategic, collaborative leader with a consistent track record of results across various industries and organizations including education, healthcare, ministry, and community development. He has experience with corporate and not-for-profit businesses, entrepreneurship, and consulting. In addition, over the past several years, he has successfully balanced leading a large church, while delivering impact to others via advisory board and adjunct professor positions.
Dr. Moore is currently the Senior Pastor at the historic Mount Carmel Baptist Church (MCBC) in West Philadelphia and has led the 1500-member congregation since 2014. On top of his daily responsibilities, he provides strategic leadership for MCBC's numerous entities including: Campbell Commons, a 48-unit low to moderate income apartment complex; the reading program at Barry Elementary; the annual STEAM six week's summer camp; MCBC's partnership with Haiti schools and medical clinics; the church's Credit Union; and the non-profit Human Development Corporation which focuses on delivering community and human services programing. Before his role as pastor, Dr. Moore also served as the Associate Minister at Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church for eight years.
Prior to becoming the pastor, Dr. Moore held many other positions in healthcare and higher education. In fact, Dr. Moore worked for 23 years as a Clinical Speech Pathologist in Voice and Swallowing Disorders in hospitals and rehabilitation centers throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During his career at a Clinical Speech Pathologist, Dr. Moore was also Principal Partner of Carolina Consultants, LLC, a provider of physical and occupational therapy as well as registered dietetic and speech language pathology services. He has also worked as an adjunct Graduate Professor in Adult Neurological Language, Motor Speech, Voice and Swallowing Disorders for West Chester University, Nova South Eastern University, and Stockton University. Keeping his passion for healthcare and teaching alive, Dr. Moore currently teaches undergraduate courses in Anatomy & Physiology at LaSalle University and graduate courses in Anatomy & Physiology, Neurological Motor Speech Disorders and Voice Disorders at Widener University. In 2023, Dr. Moore became the Founder and CEO of The Voice of Leadership, LLC, a provider of strategic leadership development and consulting.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Moore has lent his time and talents with various boards, civic organizations and political affiliations including serving as: Advisor, Philadelphia School District - Community Leader Strategic Planning Committee; Member, Public Safety Committee of PA Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro Transition Advisory Team; Leadership Council Member, UNCF Philadelphia; Board Member, Together for West Philadelphia; Board Member, Mental Health First Connects; Board Member, Christians for Social Action; Member, Clayton (NJ) City Council's Economic Development Committee; Chaplain, Temple University Football Team; Inductee, MLK Jr. International Chapel of Pastoral Leadership, Morehouse College; Op Ed Contributor, The Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper; and Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated.
Dr. Moore's commitment to education and life-long learning is demonstrated through his own academic journey. He holds several degrees - a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from Fayetteville State University; a Master of Education in Speech Language Pathology from North Carolina Central University with thesis research completed at the Dental School at UNC Chapel Hill; a Master of Divinity from Palmer Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University.
Always displaying his Fayetteville State University (FSU) Bronco pride, Dr. Moore has been intentional about his dedication to his beloved alma mater. He was honored as the 149th Founders' Day Convocation speaker, is a member of the Bronco Legacy Circle of Giving as well as the Charlotte Chapter of the FSU National Alumni Association. Most recently, he served as the Co-Chairman of the Fayetteville State University Board of Visitors.
Dr. Moore is a native of Wilmington, North Carolina and currently resides in New Jersey. He is a proud father and likes to spend his spare time cycling, golfing, traveling, volunteering, and cheering on his favorite sports teams. Dr. Moore is a self-prescribed "people connector." His life's mission is to be a servant leader and he strives every day to be just that.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Department of Licenses
Minister Anastasia Marie Austin is a proud Philadelphia native, graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. On June 9, 2019, she had the honor of being the second Associate Minister licensed under Pastor Moore. She currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach. Prior to her joining the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in 2015,… Read More »
Minister Anastasia Marie Austin is a proud Philadelphia native, graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Girls. On June 9, 2019, she had the honor of being the second Associate Minister licensed under Pastor Moore. She currently serves as the Director of Community Outreach. Prior to her joining the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in 2015, Minister Austin served as an Associate Minister of The Baptist Worship Center under the pastoral leadership of Bishop Millicent Hunter. While there she taught Bible Study, served on the Youth & Young Adult Council planning yearly Youth Retreat, the Women's Ministry Conference Planning Committee, and worked with the Youth Mentorship Programs. Her passion for working with young people extends beyond the walls of the church and into her professional career.
Minister Austin has a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology and English from Drexel University; a Masters' of Science Degree in the Science of Reading Instruction from Lincoln University, and Master's of Education with a concentration in Instructional Coaching from La Salle University. As a result of her academic achievements, she was inducted into the Kappa Delta Phi International Honor Society and Pi Lambda Theta Honor Society in Education. She holds Pennsylvania Level II Instructional Certifications in K-12 Reading Specialist, K-6 Elementary Education, 7-9 Middle Years English, and an Instructional Coach Endorsement. Throughout her 14 years working as a Philly Educator, she has served as a Middle Years ELA Teacher, Literacy Lead, Positive Behavior Intervention Systems Team Lead, Dean of Climate & Culture, and an Adjunct Professor. Currently she works as a Consulting Teacher in the Office of Teaching & Learning for the School District of Philadelphia.
Minister Austin spends time giving back to the community as a proud legacy member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., serving on the executive board of the Beta Delta Zeta Chapter. Despite all that she has accomplished in her short career, she is most honored to be the wife of Minister Calvin A. Austin, II and the mother of Calvin Augustus. Austin, III and Cayden Arianna Austin
Job Titles:
- Master 's Degree - Theological Studies / Reverend Woodson 's Life Verses Are
"I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet." Psalm 27:4, Peterson's The Message Rev. Bruton-Sheppard, in her first career as a nurse, found her most rewarding experience in the field of Hospice Home Care.… Read More »
For over forty years the Rev. Dr. Willette A. Burgie-Bryant‘s ministry has served both the Church and the academy. With degrees in Education, Social Work, Theology, and Ministry, she has been invited throughout the United States and overseas to preach, teach, offer pastoral care, and facilitate spiritual and leadership retreats for congregations and denominational bodies. … Read More »
For over forty years the Rev. Dr. Willette A. Burgie-Bryant‘s ministry has served both the Church and the academy. With degrees in Education, Social Work, Theology, and Ministry, she has been invited throughout the United States and overseas to preach, teach, offer pastoral care, and facilitate spiritual and leadership retreats for congregations and denominational bodies. On the faculties of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, New Brunswick Seminary in New Jersey, and Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, over the years Dr. Burgie-Bryant has taught in the areas of Christian Social Ethics, Spiritual Formation, and Preaching. She is currently a Cohort Leader for Missio Seminary's P.U.L.P.I.T. Program, which provides personal and professional enrichment and support for church leaders.
Dr. Burgie-Bryant is the mother of two adult daughters, Jalyce and Nia Gipson, and grandmother to Isaiah Gipson. She now serves as Staff Minister at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia, where she and her husband Michael Bryant enjoy playing in the church orchestra. When she and Michael are not out traveling, fishing, camping, and enjoying natural landscapes, Dr. Burgie-Bryant enjoys playing guitar, ukulele and piano, creating handmade greeting cards, and trying her hand at watercolor painting.
Job Titles:
- Reverend
- Associate Minister and Executive Minister to the Pastor, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Reverend Kenneth L. Woodson, BA, MCP, MTS Reverend Woodson has been a member of the Mt. Carmel Church for over thirty-five years. Past ministry leadership responsibilities include Church School Superintendent, Trustee and the Deacon Board ministries, and president of the Young Adult Fellowship. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors… Read More »
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Department of Licenses
- Member of the Mt
Reverend Woodson has been a member of the Mt. Carmel Church for over thirty-five years. Past ministry leadership responsibilities include Church School Superintendent, Trustee and the Deacon Board ministries, and president of the Young Adult Fellowship. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Mt. Carmel Gardens Inc. for more than twenty years.
In addition to his religious affiliations Reverend Woodson is an active member of several civic, and business organizations including AZA National Government Affairs Committee, the East Parkside Historic District Coalition, the Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrant Affairs, and the University of Pennsylvania Netter Center for Community Partnerships. He is also Chair of the West Philadelphia Community Trust Board.
In 2014, Mayor Nutter appointed Reverend Woodson chair of the Department of Licenses and Inspections Review Board (LIRB).
Reverend Woodson was employed by the Philadelphia Zoo for 26 years, retiring in 2019 as the Vice President of Community and Government Affairs. In his current role, Reverend Woodson is the owner/operator of Kenneth L. Woodson L.L.C., a consultancy specializing in the development of community and government engagement strategies for the government and not-for-profit sectors.
Reverend Woodson is the recipient of numerous awards including: Lifetime Achievement Award, Mantua Civic Association; Business Association of West Parkside, 2019 West Parkside Ambassad2019 Ministry of Administration Award, Philadelphia Baptist Association; or Award; 2013 President's (Obama) Volunteer Service Award; Distinguished Service Award, Netter Center for Community Partnerships, University of Pennsylvania; Service Award as National Chair Government Affairs Committee, Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA); Echoes of Africa Spirit Award; Certificate of Appreciation for Distinguished Service to the East Parkside/Mantua Community from the United States Attorney, Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Reverend Woodson's academic credentials include:
Boston University - Bachelor's Degree - Economics
University of Pennsylvania - Master's Degree - City Planning
Palmer Theological Seminary- Master's Degree - Theological Studies
Reverend Woodson's life verses are:
Psalm 23
Hebrews 11: 1