By Mary Kathryn Carpenter

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Mickey Alexander experienced a change of plans as the new year kicked off.

Alexander is the new pastor at Calvary Baptist Church – 61 South, but never expected to end up in the ministry.

Seven months ago, the Natchez native was working as a radio personality, as he had done for 26 years before in a variety of towns across Louisiana and Mississippi, including Natchez, Alexandria, Ruston and others.

In January, after reflection, prayer and guidance from his former pastor, Alexander decided he would become a pastor.

“Two weeks before I was ordained, I accepted the call to ministry,” Alexander said. “I got down on my knees and told the Lord I would do whatever I needed to do.”

Alexander is following in his father’s footsteps without ever intending to.

The Rev. Charles Mitchel Alexander Sr. served as a pastor for more than 24 years before his death in 2011.

“I never thought I would be a minister,” Alexander said. “But the Lord called me, and I accepted it.”

After being ordained, Alexander preached a sermon at Calvary Baptist, as the church was without a pastor.

Then, he was asked to fill in for the rest of February.

“That’s when I really got to know the people of the church,” Alexander said. “They’re friendly, loving and unified in the mission of the church.”

He became the official interim pastor at Calvary in March, then lead his first service as fulltime pastor June 1.

Despite being a pastor’s child and becoming a pastor himself, Alexander has no plans to pressure his 4-year-old son Marty to become a pastor as well.

“I want to encourage him to be whatever he wants to be,” Alexander said. “Hopefully, he will have some part in God’s service in the future. I don’t want to pressure him. He’s attentive to me when I preach and I’m proud of that.”

Alexander feels that he, his son and his wife, Tina, have been accepted into their new church community.

“Everyone has been so good and so kind,” Alexander said. “It’s been great to get to know the deacons here and how the church works.”

Alexander has a difficult time choosing a favorite part of his new occupation, but he thinks he has it figured out.

“I love it all,” Alexander said. “All of it is really great. I love seeing people get closer to God; seeing them apply the word of God to their lives and then their lives actually changing.”

Alexander’s former pastor, the Rev. Russell Wagner of Cliff Temple Baptist Church, is proud of Alexander’s choice to become a pastor and believes he will succeed in his new role.

“One of the things about being a pastor is always having a positive attitude about where God is leading you,” Wagner said. “(Alexander) trusts in the Lord and that’s something you need to do. When he feels like God is calling him, he follows, and I believe that is the key to being a successful pastor.”

The church hosts a variety of Sunday school and worship time.

Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. worship service. Sunday evening worship begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening worship begins at 6 p.m.