DEACONS’ BIOS

Deacon Steven Robinson, Chair of Deacons Ministry

Deacon Steven E. Robinson was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. He accepted Christ at the age of 12 while attending First African United Presbyterian Church. First African, as it is affectionately known, is historic because it is the first Black Presbyterian church in the United States. After high school, he worshiped at a Methodist church while attending college at North Carolina A&T State University. He moved to Florida after graduation where he became a member of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, eventually being ordained a Deacon. In August 1988, Deacon Robinson married Patricia Marie Hawkins and they now have two adult sons, Donovan and Steven Miles. Deacon Robinson demonstrated extensive commitment to his community while living in Jacksonville, Florida. He served as an officer on the Board of Directors of Lutheran Social Services and Vice-Chairman on the Board of Directors of Clara White Mission. He was also a scout leader in the Boy Scouts of America program and was a member of the David H. Dwight Memorial Committee for Scouting. In July 2009, he moved to Fairfax, VA, and joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in August of that year. Deacon Robinson was asked to join the Trustee Ministry in 2012, and was subsequently called and ordained as a deacon in September 2014. In December 2016, Deacon Robinson was installed as Chairman of the Deacon Ministry. Since joining Mt Calvary, he has served as Director of the Boys 2 Men program and as Assistant Director of the Partners in Prevention program. He is currently active as a Sunday School teacher, member of the Men’s ministry, the Senior Choir, Men’s Choir and The King’s Men gospel singing group. His special Interests are writing poetry, playing chess, and flying model aircraft.

Deacon Michael Miller, Vice Chair, Deacons Ministry

Deacon Michael Preston Miller, aka “Mike,” was born in the small rural town of Griffin, GA.  At a young age, he went to live with his grandparents in Weirton, WV, where he graduated from high school and went to college at the United States Air Force Academy.  Commissioned as a 2^nd lieutenant in the Air Force in 1972, he went on to complete a 20+ year career as a pilot before retiring as a Lt Colonel and beginning his second career as an airline pilot with US Airways.  He is now a Captain, flying with Southwest Airlines based out of Baltimore Washington airport.  He lives in Lorton, VA, and is married to the former Essye B. Colvin and they have a son, Galen, who is in high school.  Deacon Miller gave his life to Christ as a teenager and joined Mt. Calvary Baptist church in 2011.  He was ordained as a deacon in September 2014.  He is active in the Men’s Chorus, Senior Choir and Men’s ministry.  Some of Deacon Miller’s favorite pastimes are playing golf, fishing or playing racquetball.    His favorite scripture comes from James 1:2-5: “Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything…â€

Deacon Emmett R. Anderson

Deacon Emmett R. Anderson was born in Denver, CO.   At the tender age of 12, Deacon Anderson found Jesus and accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.  He attended the University of Colorado and graduated in 1965 with a BA degree.  He was initially hired by IBM in 1969 as a Sales Rep. and held various positions of leadership in sales and marketing.   While in Portland, OR in 1976, Deacon Anderson accepted a promotion from IBM as a district sales manager and relocated to the Washington DC area as Branch Manager Defense/Civil industry.  He also attended the Harvard Business School in Boston MA, as an Executive for IBM.  In 1984, he formed his own company as President and CEO of ‘Columbia Service Group’ (CSG) providing System Integration and Information Network Support.  After building a highly successful and respected network of entrepreneurs, Deacon Anderson sold his interest in the company to become an independent consultant assisting other startup companies and large corporations with their business development requirements.  He is currently VP of Business Development for the Hawkins Group.  Deacon Anderson is married to the former Patricia (Pat) Sherman and they have four adult children; Mike, Michelle, Clay and Bridgette.  Currently the family resides in Fairfax Station, VA, and joined the MCBC family in 1979.  Considered by many as the ultimate Ambassador for Mt Calvary Baptist church, he was ordained as a deacon in 1983 and served as Chairman for over 30 years.  He now considers himself as simply an ‘Ambassador for Jesus Christ’ and loves to meet and greet with anyone who wants to know the Lord.  He is active as a Sunday School teacher and a member of the senior choir, male chorus and couples ministry.  Deacon Anderson likes to remind us from Ephesians 6:10: “… We must be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ^ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.â€

Deacon Hermon Carter

Deacon Hermon Carter, aka ‘Papa or Deacon Papa’ was born in Brooklyn, NY.  Raised in Newport News, VA, he graduated from Huntington High School and went to college at Norfolk State College.  He moved to Washington, DC, in 1970 and attended Control Data Institute.  After graduation, he began working for Control Data Corporation until 1973.  In October of 1973 he began his corporate career working for GE Aerospace, Martin Marietta, and Lockheed Martin.  Over the next 42 years he held various positions as a Computer Operator, Systems Administrator, Systems Engineer, Project Leader and Systems Administration Staffer.  He retired in April of 2016.  Deacon Carter is currently living in Triangle, VA, and is married to Essie Beavers Carter and has two daughters: Chyron and Latoya (deceased); five grandkids (Diamond, D’Andre, Lillian, Grace, and Virginia;  one great-grand-son Kayden. Deacon Carter gave his life to Christ at age 19 and joined Mt Calvary Baptist Church in August 2012. He was ordained in September of 2014. He is active in the Men’s Chorus, Senior Choir, Men’s ministry, and provides IT work for the church and congregation. Deacon Carter’s favorite pastime has been league bowling for the past 20+ years.  His favorite scripture comes from Matthew 25:35-40:  “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,  I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me,  I was in prison and you came to visit me.  Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?   When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’   “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.â€

Deacon Vincent L. Johnson, Jr.

Deacon Vincent L. Johnson, Jr., was born in Jasper, AL.  He spent the majority of his childhood in Selma, AL.  Deacon Johnson has a unique perspective of the civil rights movement, having come of age during the height of the voter-rights protest period in the late 1960’s.  He is often called upon to recount his first-hand experiences during several seminal American events such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the march from Selma to Montgomery over the Edmund Pettus Bridge during what is now remembered as “Bloody Sunday.† After graduating from Langston University,  he was drafted into the US Army. He served in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart.  After his discharge, Deacon Johnson attended Alabama State University and received his Master’s Degree.  He entered civil service with the Department of the Air Force.  Distinguishing himself with many firsts as an African American leader, he eventually rose to Senior Executive Service working in the Equal Employment Office overseeing the Air Force hiring and diversity programs.  He is married to the former Deborah Ann Knox and they have two adult children: Vincent III and Tracey.  After spending time at Tinker AFB in Oklahoma, he relocated to Springfield, VA, in September 1980 where he eventually accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.  Deacon Johnson joined the MCBC family in 2000 and was ordained as a deacon in February 2011. Along with his duties on the Pastor’s Aid committee, he is active in the Couple’s Ministry and is co-chair of the newly formed Counseling Ministry.  Having retired from civil service, Deacon Johnson now enjoys time spent coin collecting and traveling.  Always with a positive outlook to the many problems facing our church and community, he is steadfast in his belief of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.â€Â 

Deacon Jesse L. Palmer, Jr.

Deacon Jesse L. Palmer, Jr was born in Orange County, VA.  Deacon Palmer holds degrees from Germanna Community College, A.S., Virginia State University, B.S., and James Madison University, MBA.  He has held management positions with Kmart, McDonald’s and Taco Bell and was also employed by VA Power Company as a Customer Representative in the Engineering Department.  Presently, he is franchise owner of Signarama, a sign company in Alexandria, VA.  He married the former Janet E. Holmes in 1976 and they have a daughter, Rhonda C. Pittman and a son, Jesse L. Palmer, III.  He has two grandchildren, Chauncey and London Pittman.  Jesse gave his life to Christ at the age of twelve at the Nazareth Baptist Church of Orange County.  While living in Charlottesville, he was a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church.  Deacon Palmer joined Mount Calvary in November of 2009, became a Deacon in 2011, and began serving as a Trustee in 2016.  He is active in the Male Chorus and participates in various ministry activities.  An avid “Road Hog,” Deacon Palmer loves to travel, go to college and high school sporting events, participate in politics and campaigns, and relax on the beach.   His favorite verse is John 9:4 “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.â€

Deacon Greg Payne

Deacon John Gregory Payne is a native of Fairfax, VA, and spent the majority of his childhood in Fairfax. A current resident of Manassas, Deacon Payne first accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1968, having joined Mt. Calvary in 1967. He was ordained as a deacon in 1977. He worked for many years as a laborer for the Harman Company. His was married to Annie Louise Payne (deceased) and has a daughter, Angela D. Payne, and two grandchildren, Frederick Payne and Asia Payne. At Mt. Calvary, Deacon Payne serves on the Deacon Ministry and sings in the Male Chorus. His favorite scripture is Psalm 27:  “The Lord is my light and my salvation—    whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”

Deacon George Rountree

Deacon George Edward Rountree was born in Edenton, NC.  His childhood was spent in Chowan County, NC, where, at an early age, he found Jesus and accepted him as Lord and Savior.  Deacon Rountree currently resides in Woodbridge, VA ,with his bride of over 40 years, Ida P. Rountree.  They have four adult children: David, Darren, Tanesia and Tamieka.  One of Deacon Rountree’s special skills is as a teacher in sign language, having worked at Gallaudet University from June 1987 – March 2004.  He is currently working in IT Assessment.  Deacon Rountree joined the MCBC family in 2013.  Because he was previously ordained by his former church, Deacon Rountree was immediately put to work ministering his new family in the word of God.  He is active as a Sunday School teacher and loves to have impromptu Bible study wherever he can find a participant.  Whenever asked why he loves the Lord, Deacon Rountree says you have to look no further than John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.â€

Deacon Calvin Swartz

Deacon Calvin Swartz was born in Whigham, GA. He became a Christian at 12 years old.  His father was a deacon in the New Hope Baptist Church, and his mom, a Communion Steward in the Ebenezer AME Church.  Dividing his worship experience, he attended the Methodist services first and third Sundays and Baptist services second and fourth Sundays.  He attended Tuskegee University where he cemented his love of music by singing in the famous Tuskegee concert choir.   There, he met and worked for his future mentor, the late great Dr. William L. Dawson, Director of the Tuskegee Music Department.  Dr. Dawson taught him choral direction, a gift he continues to share to the present day. Upon graduating from Tuskegee, he joined the US Army as a Second Lieutenant, and served at many locations around the nation, in Europe, and in Southeast Asia.  On August 18. 1956, Deacon Swartz married the former Aileen Mims and they have two daughters, Rosalind Swartz Williams and Karen Dianne Swartz Harris.  After 25 years of serving his country, Deacon Swartz retired from the Army as a Colonel and eventually moved to the Washington, DC, area. He founded his own company, Progressive Success Corporation, through which he presents leadership development seminars and management consulting services in the public and private sectors.  Since his arrival in the Washington, DC, area, Deacon Swartz has been a member of several churches but music continues as his passion, singing with the Spiritual Messengers gospel choir and directing both the Galloway Mass Choir and the Galloway Male Chorus. He joined the Mount Calvary Baptist Church family in 2006 and was ordained as a Deacon February 20, 2011.  Deacon Swartz is currently the Director of the Senior Choir at Mt. Calvary, and sings with the Male Chorus each fifth Sunday.  Due to his extensive background as a leadership development trainer, he was appointed Director of the Leadership Development Ministry. Deacon Swartz has presented training to thousands across the nation for the last 36 years but most importantly he loves The Lord because: “He has brought me a long way on my spiritual journey. He has made it possible for me to serve and succeed in many challenging positions of responsibility. He has guided and ordered my steps all along the way and enabled me to disciple others in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.â€