Claude R. Alexander, Jr., Vice Presiding
Since 1990, Claude R. Alexander, Jr. has served as the Senior Pastor of University Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Born in Waterloo, Iowa and reared in Jackson, Mississippi, Pastor Alexander received a Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in Philosophy from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Pastor Alexander is an insightful speaker with a narrative style that enables worshippers in the congregation to put themselves into the biblical episode. Local and national civic organizations, as well as religious institutions have recognized this God-given gift. This gift has afforded him the opportunity to speak in a variety of capacities, such as:
- 1999 Morning Worship Leader for the Hampton University MinistersConference
- Published in Outstanding Black Sermons, Volume 4
- Inducted into the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College
- Appointed Vice-President of the Hampton University Ministers Conference
- Guest speaker for 2002 Bishop T. D. Jakes ManPower Conference in Charlotte
- Guest speaker for Crusades in Kenya and BrazilPastor Alexander is a visionary. During his tenure at University Park Baptist Church or “The Park”, the name members and visitors affectionately use, the church has grown dramatically both in numbers and in ministries.
- One Church in Three Locations in the Charlotte area
- Membership from less than 500 to more than 10,000
- Under Pastor Alexander’s direction more than 80 ministries and services are now available at “The Park”, which reflect the diversity of age groups and the needs and interests of the congregation and community
- “The Park” has a full service Christian Bookstore at the main campus and The Park South.
The church’s evangelistic scope has expanded to include a television ministry and a radio ministry. Pastor Alexander’s dynamic messages are broadcast nationally on The Word Network, as well as regional cable and satellite television. The church purchased 54 acres of land, and on April 15, 2001 University Park Baptist Church moved into its new $13 million sanctuary and Family Life and Wellness Center. The church purchased 46 acres in the South Charlotte area and dedicated The Park South sanctuary on August 22, 2004. Future plans include senior citizens bungalows and the development of a residential community. In 2006 The Park Ministries completed the purchase of the Charlotte Merchandise Mart, a major milestone in its plan to create a unique multifaceted destination called “The Park” and anchored by the main campus of the 10,000-member University Park Baptist Church.
Pastor Alexander is married to Minister Kimberly Nash Alexander, a speech and language pathologist at Morehead Elementary School and a Sales Director for Mary Kay.
They are the proud parents of two daughters, Camryn René and Carsyn Richelle.
