Reverend Velda C. Peals (Pastor)

Rev. Peals comes to St. John Missionary Baptist Church from Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church (East St. Louis) where she worked under the leadership of Pastor Cornell Brown, Sr. as an Associate
Minister.

Reverend Velda Peals is a native of East St. Louis, Illinois. She received her formal education in School District 189. After years of actively pursuing avenues of promotion, Reverend Peals reentered the educational system and received two degrees of her dreams, a B.A. degree from Harris Stowe College and second, a Masters of Management from Font Bonne University.

God called Rev. Peals into the ministry in 1984. She received the calling and moved forward with the work that God had planned. After 7 years of dedicated study & prayer in the ministry, she was ordained as a Baptist Minister at St. Matthew where Rev. Rodney E. Winters served as Pastor. Rev Peals has an unique ability to train and teach the children of God. She is a living testimony and inspiration to all for what the Lord can do in our lives.

Rev. Peals ensures that the church congregation has a well rounded biblical & spiritual foundation. Rev. Peals helps to make God's presence known in the church as well as the Alton Community. Rev. Peals is a
prayer warrior, a teacher, a director, a leader, and a humble servant.

Rev. Peals has made history at SJMBC as being the first female minister to serve on the church's Pastoral Staff Team and as the first Assistant Pastor of the church's history. Reverend Peals has left a legacy of love and untiring service wherever GOD has sent her. She credits her zest of life from Psalm 34 and 121 which serves as power boosters and daily bread. She is the mother of one son, grandmother of five, sister to seven other siblings, friend too many but the title of most importance to her is SERVANT of the LORD. Presently, Reverend Peals is an employee of the AUSTIN A. LAYNE Mortuary of St. Louis, MO.

In 2005 while serving as the Assistant Pastor, Pastor Peals was charged by the St. John to teach a weekly noon bible study class entitled “Reveal God’s Vision for the Church based on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).” St. John will fulfill this mission through five functions Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry, Fellowship, and Worship (Act 2:38-47). The vision for the church was "Reaching Families and Shaping Communities.”

In the fall of 2005 while serving as the Assistant Pastor, Pastor Peals was charged by the church to start an early Sunday morning worship service called “Morning Glory” to provide an informal service for those members that would be able to attend regular service.

In September 2006, Assistant Pastor Peals was voted as the Interim Pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Her faithfulness and conviction to God and His church has made the church transition between administrations hopeful and seamless. Pastor Peals’ motto during this transition is “Still Standing!” Pastor Peals wants St. John and the community to know that we are still here doing the Lord’s work.

On Saturday, January 20, 2007, Rev. Velda C. Peals was voted as the first female Pastor in St. John Missionary Baptist Church’s History. Pastor Peals vision for the church is “Success is our destiny… failure is not an option.” Pastor Velda C. Peals’ installation was held on Sunday, February 11, 2007.

In June 2007, SJMBC entered into a church-wide renovation campaign. SJMBC started its renovation campaign by installing two ADA assessable restrooms on the main level of the church.

In July 2007, Pastor Velda C. Peals was invited by Pastor Marvin L. Brown to speak at Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church located in Chicago, Illinois. Upon receiving the invitation, Pastor Peals had the church to plan a weekend vacation for the entire church body in the Windy City. Pastor Peals implemented an annual church vacation.

Under the guidiance of Pastor Peals, in October 2007, SJMBC organize its' first golf tournament in the honor of Mother Lovie C. Woods

Pastor Velda C. Peals celebrated her 1st Annual Pastoral Anniversary set the church vision for 2008 as "Empowering the people of God to live in the power of God."

In 2008, the SJMBC church-wide renovation campaign continued with development of an on-site instructional computer lab with the ability to accommodate multiple instructors and eight students. Pastor Peals understands the importance of computer based training and the use of technology to effectively spread the Gospel through various mediums. SJMBC is capable supporting twenty four computer units on its wired LAN and dozens of units on the wireless network. Pastor Peals’ vision is to have a community resource center that will instruct people on computer basics, Microsoft Software applications, Adobe Design Suite applications, and multimedia design software.

Under Pastor Velda C. Peals leadership, the Deacon & Trustee Boards were requested to secure a rendering of the SJMBC's new education fellowship hall that will be built on an adjacent lot owned by the church. In the fall of 2008, the rendering was completed as requested and a capital campaign was started to build the new facility.

Pastor Peals set aside a young lady name Carla Frazier for the order of Deacon. On Sunday, November 9, 2008, Pastor Velda C. Peals to ordain the first female Deacon in St. John Missionary Baptist Church History.

On Sunday, February 15, 2009, Pastor Velda C. Peals will be celebrating her 2nd Pastoral Anniversary at St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Theme for this event is "No Shame in God's Game"