Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church - Helena, AL

Reverend Edwin Dean Dinkins, formerly of Augusta, GA, attended Good Shepherd Baptist Church and the public schools of Richmond County, GA.  He graduated from T.W. Josey High School in 1978.

In 1982, Reverend Dinkins received his dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration/ Criminal Justice from Shaw University.  He later earned his Master of Public Administration degree from Brenau University.

Reverend Dinkins earned a License of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta while serving as a local preacher at Jenkins Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  After moving to Alabama, he began serving under Reverend Frederick Whitt as an Associate Minister at Agape Missionary Baptist Church in Birmingham.  He was ordained in 2003.

Reverend Dinkins began his pastoral leadership of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 2003.  He remains committed to serving God’s people, teaching and preaching God’s Word.  

Melissa accepted Christ at an early age and began christian service at Greater Saint Luke A.M.E. Church, Malone, Florida, where she served in many capacities until she relocated to Pensacola, Florida in 1994.  Melissa joined Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 2004.  She currently serves as Church Administrator and a member of the MPBC Praise Team.  She also served as editor of the church newsletter from 2005-2008.   

 She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration from the University of West Florida. She is currently employed as a probation officer with the US District Court, Northern District of Alabama.

Sherry Gildon is a native of Birmingham, AL.  She relocated to Helena, AL at the tender age of 7 years old and later graduated from Pelham High School.  She joined Mount Pleasant Baptist Church at the age of 11 years old, under the pastoral leadership of Rev. Clifton Taylor.  During the years of her membership, she has served in a variety of positions within Mt. Pleasant, including a member of the Senior choir and Vice President of the Young Matrons.  She is currently serving on the Youth Committee and was recently appointed a Church Trustee.   She is the proud mother of two kids - Holly Michelle Russell and Larry (L.J.) Gildon Jr.

JoAnn accepted Christ at an early age and joined Macedonia Baptist Church in Columbiana, Alabama. JoAnn moved to Helena in 2005 where she and her family made Mount Pleasant Baptist Church their home. She currently works with the youth and was recently appointed a Church Trustee.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Jacksonville State University and is currently employed as a Financial Analyst for a local bank.  She is the proud mother of two children - a son (Jordan) and a daughter (Kayla).