Our Pastor

Pastor Wilson is a native of Southampton County, Virginia. He is the eldest of twelve children born to the late Harlie and late Hazel Wilson. He is married to the former Gayla Fitch of Lynchburg, Virginia and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Kristi and Shanel, and one son, Harlie, III; and grandparents of five granddaughters, Kristiana, Karlie, Juliannah, Skylar and Trinity and one grandson, Armani. 

Reverend Wilson received his early educational training in the public schools of Southampton County, Virginia and later in the advancement of that education received an Associate of Arts Certificate from the Virginia Seminary and College (now Virginia University of Lynchburg), Lynchburg, Virginia. He also received from the Virginia Seminary the Bachelor of Arts Degree in history and the Master of Divinity Degree. In December 1978, he received the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Virginia Seminary.

Reverend Wilson was licensed and ordained by the order of the Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Zuni, Virginia, on June 4, 1972. He has pastored the Promised Land Baptist Church, Moneta, Virginia; Oak Grove Baptist Church, Buckingham County, Virginia; The Maple Street Baptist Church, Roanoke, Virginia and is currently pastoring the Israel Baptist Church of Baltimore, Maryland – “The Praying, Preaching, Reaching and Teaching Church!” 

He currently holds membership and positions in: The Maryland Baptist State Convention; Trustee and Board Member of Virginia University of Lynchburg, Virginia (formerly Virginia Seminary and College); Chairperson of Baltimore & Vicinities Chapter for Founders Day (Hayes-Allen Day) Fund Raiser for Virginia University of Lynchburg; President of The George A. Crawley, Jr., Fellowship and Greater Baltimore Simultaneous Revival Fellowship; Board Member of Collington Square Non-Profit Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland; Hampton Ministers Conference, Hampton, Virginia; Baptist Ministers Conference and Vicinities, Baltimore, Maryland; Johns Hopkins Hospital Bio-Tech Project (Urban Renewal of East Baltimore); Co-Chairperson of Coppin State College Capital Campaign; Pastor of the Lead Cluster Church in East Baltimore of Baltimore Rising Initiative Project through the Mayor’s Office; N.A.A.C.P.; Harbor Bank of Maryland and East Baltimore Ministers Partnership.