Dr. Patrick Vincent
Born in the southeasterly Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Emmanuel Vincent always wanted to be a minister of the gospel as far back as he could recall. With the love of Jesus in his heart and a strong calling to preach the gospel on his life, he began his preparation for ministry at the University of the Southern Caribbean in Maracas Valley, a few miles northeast of his childhood home. Shortly thereafter, he went to Mandeville, Jamaica to complete his bachelor's degree at the Northern Caribbean University.
Dr. Vincent graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree from the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Michigan. His passion for excellence progressed unabated when he completed the requirements for the Doctor of Ministry degree at Vanderbilt University, School of Divinity.
Now armed and equipped to preach the gospel far and wide, Dr. Vincent eagerly looked forward to return to Trinidad to fulfill God's calling. However God's calling took him on a detour where he was recommended by Dr. Charles D. Joseph, pastor of the Nashville, Hillcrest pulpit who later introduced him to President Charles Dudley who immediately convinced the executive committee to hire and assign him to a multi-church district where his introduction into active pastoral ministry began his cross cultural journey into the African-American culture.
After ordination, Dr. Vincent launched an exciting pastoral administrative, church building, and evangelistic pilgrimage beginning with the construction of a twin church and school complex in Chattanooga, Tennessee, a precursor that paved the way for him to become pastor of the Ephesus SDA Church in Birmingham, Alabama. With his God-given abilities and prowess as a church builder and church growth specialist, he not only rebuilt the church, a fine edifice that stands today in the historic Southern City to the glory of God, but he created the renowned evangelistic course known as the Soul Winning Action Team, SWAT, a penetrating and in-depth training course for lay involvement. Dr. Vincent has trained hundreds of students in SWAT across the United States and Europe.
God's detour took him further south to the nation's vacation capital, Orlando, Florida, where he became senior pastor of the Mt. Sinai SDA Church and initiated a massive school building complex program which was completed in record time. Mt. Sinai today is debt-free; a testimony to God's leading, where Dr. Vincent instituted a strong stewardship program that was continued by his successors.
As the former senior pastor of Mt. Calvary SDA Church in Tampa, Florida, Dr. Vincent, under the influence of God, led his congregation into a combined soul-winning and church-building program. In 2008, he led the congregation into their beautiful new 1200 seat, $4.2 million sanctuary. His God-given talents and abilities were immediately made evident, as his congregation lent their supportive presence and stewardship to the vision. Each year, he not only made Mt. Calvary into a centurion soul-winning church, but has continued to open the doors of the church through innovative ministerial programs that meet the physical and spiritual needs of the surrounding communities.
Dr. Vincent's work as a servant in the vineyard of the Lord, toiling for souls and erecting sanctuaries and schools, bears testimony to the call God has placed on his life, his astute leadership skills, and gift of evangelism. He had the pleasure of serving as Executive Secretary of the Southeastern Conference of SDA, but graciously returned to ministry quickly after, as again he felt God's urging in proclaiming the gospel from the pulpit.
Dr. Vincent is happily married to the beautiful Judy Williams who is also from the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Together, they have committed their lives in service to God.