BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Curtis E. Levingston
Dr. Curtis E. Levingston, is the 12th spiritual leader of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, Illinois. He was installed on Nov. 3, 2013, having exhibited the vision, fortitude, spiritual maturity and pedigree to lead a church whose rich legacy in the community spans more than a century.
Dr. Levingston was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and was ordained at Genesis Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as associate minister from 1991 through 1999. His maternal grandfather, the late Rev. Henry Levingston Sr., established Genesis and his paternal grandfather, the late Rev. Robert B. Poe, pastored Canaan Missionary Baptist Church for more than 30 years. While his spiritual journey began in the Midwest, teaching and preaching the gospel would lead him to other parts of the country. Before returning to his Midwestern roots, he served as senior pastor of New Beginnings Worship Center Church, in Graham, North Carolina, for two years. Prior to that, he pastored First Baptist Church of Graham for 11 years.
Dr. Levingston is a strong proponent of learning and education. His ministry is centered on stewardship, discipleship and worship. His vision is for Mt. Zion to be an “effective, liberating, biblical and educational institution.” He advocates for a ministry that reaches beyond the church’s four walls through evangelism, where lives and communities can be uplifted and saved.
In his untiring quest for knowledge, Dr. Levingston visited the Holy Land in 2011. There he studied the historical, political and social ramifications of the convergence of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in Jerusalem, the city in which these contrasting faiths all claim as their own.
His civic and religious engagements include holding memberships with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc., currently serves as the Assistant General Secretary, New Salem Baptist District Association, currently serving as 2nd Vice Moderator, Missionary Baptist Minister's Union St. Louis and Vicinity, currently serving as the Director of Social Justice, and he served as president of the Midwest District Ministers Alliance of Greater Kansas City (1997-1999). He was honored to be selected Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges (2010-2011). He currently serves as a Chaplain for the Fairview Heights Police Department.
Dr. Levingston holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Philosophy (Cum Laude) from Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, a Master of Divinity from Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, N.C., and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Levingston and his wife, Lady Michele, are the parents of five adult children, Curtis, Lenora (Rickey), Kelly (Mallory), Elaina (Steve) and Mickail, and five grandchildren.
Dr. Levingston is a strong proponent of learning and education. His ministry is centered on stewardship, discipleship and worship. His vision is for Mt. Zion to be an “effective, liberating, biblical and educational institution.” He advocates for a ministry that reaches beyond the church’s four walls through evangelism, where lives and communities can be uplifted and saved.
In his untiring quest for knowledge, Dr. Levingston visited the Holy Land in 2011. There he studied the historical, political and social ramifications of the convergence of Judaism, Christianity and Islam in Jerusalem, the city in which these contrasting faiths all claim as their own.
His civic and religious engagements include holding memberships with the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc., currently serves as the Assistant General Secretary, New Salem Baptist District Association, currently serving as 2nd Vice Moderator, Missionary Baptist Minister's Union St. Louis and Vicinity, currently serving as the Director of Social Justice, and he served as president of the Midwest District Ministers Alliance of Greater Kansas City (1997-1999). He was honored to be selected Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges (2010-2011). He currently serves as a Chaplain for the Fairview Heights Police Department.
Dr. Levingston holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Philosophy (Cum Laude) from Shaw University, Raleigh, NC, a Master of Divinity from Shaw University Divinity School, Raleigh, N.C., and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Levingston and his wife, Lady Michele, are the parents of five adult children, Curtis, Lenora (Rickey), Kelly (Mallory), Elaina (Steve) and Mickail, and five grandchildren.
