Our Guest Speaker ..... Reverend Michael J. Ross, Sr. Reverend Michael J. Ross, Sr., is a native of Lake Providence, Louisiana. He has been a faithful laborer in God’s vineyard, in a ministerial capacity, for the He has diligently served in various capacities during this past ten years. tenure, such as four years as an Associate Minister and Minister of Christian | Education and three years as the Youth and Young Adult Pastor of the Beth Eden Baptist Church in Oakland, California. For the past three years, God has’ called him to serve as Pastor of the St. Paul Baptist Church in Boise, Idaho. Reverend Ross has also answered the call to serve his country as a member of the United States Marine Reserves for the past six years. In addition, his | educational accomplishments include graduating from Grambling State University, in his home state of Louisiana, in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Reverend Ross has also attended both Golden Gate | Baptist Theological Seminary in Marin, California, and American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, California, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1999. Of special note at his convocation, Reverend Ross was awarded the prestigious L. Doward McBain Preaching Prize for the Outstanding Preacher in his graduating class. Reverend Ross has been happily married to Sister Annette Ross for the past 19 The Lord has graciously blessed their union with four beautiful years. children; two sons, Tawasky and Michael, and two daughters, Faith and Hope. Prior to arriving in Idaho, Reverend Ross and his family had resided in the Bay Area of California for 1) years.