A product of the Detroit Public Schools, Pastor Oliver graduated from Central High School in 1962. He joined the U.S. Air Force later that year. After being honorably discharged, he found it rather difficult to reintegrate into civilian life. This trauma resulted in his spiritual rebirth. George Gooden of Bible Community Baptist Church eventually led him to the Lord Jesus Christ, using what would become Pastor Oliver's favorite scripture, Revelations 3:20. He received his license to preach in 1968 from Bible Community Baptist Church and served as its youth minister. He enrolled in Detroit Bible College (William Tyndale College) and received his Bachelor's of Religious Education degree in 1973. For ten years, he was the assistant pastor at Open Door Rescue Mission on Detroit's east side. In 1974, he
completed his master's degree in guidance and counseling at the University of Detroit.His first professional job was as a university counselor at Wayne State University in the College of Lifelong Learning.

He also has served as a rehabilitation counselor with the State of Michigan, and as a licensed social worker, certified rehabilitation counselor and vocational expert. In October 1982, Pastor Oliver was called to Elim Baptist Church as the senior pastor and was ordained that same year. Elim is affiliated with the Baptist General Conference (BGC) and the Michigan Baptist General Conference (MBGC). In 1989, Pastor Oliver became the first African-American moderator for the BGC. He also served on the Board of Regents of Bethel College & Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and was seminary chairman for four years. Pastor Oliver began working on his doctorate degree at the University of Michigan in 1982 and achieved Ph.D. candidacy in 1986. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the Trinity Bible College and Seminary in Indiana. Pastor Oliver is a very compassionate, loving under shepherd to his congregation. He has a passion for counseling, preaching and teaching the Word of God. His goal is that Elim will fulfill its mission"Discipling Believers to Impact the World" through "aggressive evangelism and discipleship as Kingdom Builders". His vision:is to "equip" the members of Elim to fulfill the "Great Commission" by changing the surrounding community and, ultimately, the world through the proclamation of the gosple of Jesus Christ in wholistic ministries and missions (Matt.28:19-20; Acts 1:8; 2:41-47).

Pastor Oliver is married to Marilyn a Detroit Public School teacher and they have one daughter whose name is Lora. She is a Sophmore at Southfield Lathrup High School. His hobbies include photography and computers.

OUR ASSISTANT PASTOR:

REVEREND FLETCHER FLENNOY

Rev. Fletcher Flennoy Jr. is the Assistant Pastor at Elim Baptist Church. He is a Sunday School teacher, Chairman of the Missions Committee and Chairman of the Elim Baptist Church Couples for Christ (CFC) Ministry. Fletcher has been a member of Elim Baptist Church since October 1990. Rev. Flennoy was born and raised in Detroit, MI. He received his Masters of Divinity (M. Div) in 1990. His academic background also includes a B.S. in Psychology from Wayne State University (1985), attending Fisk University in Nashville, TN and attending Michigan Theological Seminary (MTS) in Plymouth, MI. Although preaching and teaching The WORD of God is his first love, Rev Flennoy also enjoys playing chess and listening to music. Rev. Flennoy is married to Regina and they have one son, Fletcher Flennoy III. We are honored to have such a devoted man of God as our assistant Pastor. He is a godly Family man and concerned about strengthening families and marriages.