The Reverend Tom J. Culley was elected as Pastor by the congregation on May 29, 2009, becoming the sixth Pastor in the history of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Rev. Culley’s installation service was celebrated on October 11, 2009 under the directions of Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Owens, Pastor of the New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen, NJ and the Moderator of the Middlesex Baptist Association. Rev. William Ingram, Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church of Elizabeth, NJ brought a challenging message as guest preacher for the installation service. Rev. Dr. James Ealey, Pastor of Second Baptist Church of Rahway, NJ, inspired us all as Installation Banquet speaker.
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Pastor Culley brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the church. He is the Founder of TJCMinistries of Somerset, NJ, a Christian education and publication ministry that provides Leadership Training, Church Steward-ship Management and Bible Study Seminars for the laity and clergy of the church. The ministry also produces bible study software and computer training programs.
Rev. Culley has been in the church all his life and has served as a Trustee, Deacon, Steward, Adult Church School Teacher and Music Director prior to his call to the preaching ministry. He was introduced to the Baptist Church at the age of four by his mother, Lillie. She and his father, James, were members of the Pleasant Green Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri. His mother made sure that he was in church and Sunday school every Sunday. Rev. Culley confessed his belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ and was baptized at the age of twelve.
He earned a Biblical Studies, Degree from Philadelphia Biblical University, an Undergraduate Degree from Southern Illinois University, a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri and a Masters Degree in Divinity from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
Prior to coming to Mount Pleasant, Rev. Culley assisted his wife who is the Pastor at the Somerset Presbyterian Church in Franklin Township. Prior to that, he served for seven years as the Assistant Pastor of Travelers Fellowship Baptist Church in Piscataway, New Jersey. He has developed and conducted numerous Deacon and Trustee training seminars throughout the New Jersey area and acted as consultant to pastors in bringing organizational structure and spiritual ministries to their church. For the last 11 years, he has taught the “Saturday Evening Bible Study” classes as part of TJCMinistries. His ministry has been instrumental in serving the needs of Pastors and churches throughout New Jersey.
Rev. Culley is an avid golfer and enjoys producing video DVDs’ of special events. He is married to the Rev. Sharon E. Culley who is the Sr. Pastor of the Siloam Hope First Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, NJ. They are the proud parents of five children, four girls and one boy.
God has smiled on us by sending us a God fearing pastor; a man of love, understanding and one who has a vision for God’s people. We know that God has great things in store for Mount Pleasant under the leadership of our New Pastor, Rev. Tom J. Culley.
