Congratulations to Claval Hunter, director of Adventist Community Services for the Central States Conference and senior pastor for Tabernacle of Praise Church in St. Louis, Missouri. On Thursday, April 5, Hunter was inducted into the distinguished Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Board of Preachers in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pastor Hunter commented, “It is an honor to be recognized for the work God has commissioned me to do; to serve my community, be a voice for the voiceless, and bring hope by spreading the gospel of Christ, as Dr. King and many great leaders did before me. I pray to not only continue in that legacy, but to also inspire the generation that will come after me.”
Following the ideals of a great leader
The Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity was established in 1985 by Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., dean of Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel and Dr. Hugh Gloster. It is intended to honor individuals whose life and work exemplify the ethical ideals promoted by the college’s most prominent alumnus, Martin Luther King Jr.
The Board of Preachers is comprised of ordained clergy from the Christian tradition as well as faith leaders (rabbis, imams, priests, ministers) from a wide array of global spiritual and ethical traditions. These diverse individuals have exhibited a commitment and promise for using their religious positions of leadership to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith understanding, healing, reconciliation, nonviolence, moral cosmopolitan social progress, agapeic justice and care for the ecosystem.
Inspiring leadership by serving
Pastor Hunter, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in ministerial theology from Oakwood University and a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University Theological Seminary, says his ministerial purpose is to give spiritual and inspirational servant leadership to the church. He accomplishes this through challenging preaching, biblical teaching and meaningful worship so people will be moved to apply their faith to their everyday lives.
Hunter possesses a pastoral heart filled with compassion, empathy, wisdom, understanding and Christ-like love, eagerly desiring to visit and pray with and for God’s people. He is committed to being a person of prayer, a servant leader, a community activist, team player, a visionary leader and committed to the truths of the Bible.
