OUR PASTOR

REV.  EARL T. HOWERTON, JR.

Reverend Earl T. Howerton Jr.  was born in Washington D.C. in August of 1974.  After living in Halifax, Virginia for several years, he then moved to Long Island New York.  Upon completion of high school, he attended Virginia State University where he obtained a B.S. Degree in Business Management in 1997.  In 2005, he received a Masters degree from Howard University School of Divinity in Washington D.C. Currently he is matriculating through Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina pursuing a Doctor of Ministry Degree.

Rev. Howerton is an advocate for education, and believes in learning and living the principles of God's word.  He has served on the Board of Directors for Olivet Christian Academy in Petersburg, Virginia.  He has also served as an instructor at The Virginia University of Lynchburg, teaching courses in religious studies.

In 2008 Rev. Earl Howerton Jr. became the pastor of Little Zion Baptist Church in Oak Grove Virginia.  During his leadership, the church has added a number of ministries including Children's Church, Children’s Nursery, The Food Pantry, Young Adults Ministry, Seniors Ministry and an active Prison Ministry.  Little Zion also purchased an additional two and a half acres of land and two twenty-five-passenger buses.  God has significantly increased the church membership and attendance.   Therefore, in the spring of 2011, an additional 8 a.m. service was added to accommodate the growth.  In 2012, the church liquidated its mortgage.
In 2015 we completed an Activity Field, which includes a 30x80 Pavilion, a paved walking trail, an outdoor basketball court and kids play area.  We completed a newly improved Learning Center with 6 computers offering development classes.  We also completed an expansion project, which includes a Multi-purpose Room, new Nurses Room, Copy Room and soon coming Archive Room, all while remaining debt-free since 2012.

Rev. Howerton is deeply committed to serving and ministering to the needs of all people.  He aids and assists the Southside Outreach Group, Inc. who provides housing for low- income families.  Rev. Howerton has facilitated ministerial workshops, leadership training sessions and has conducted an international revival in Stockholm, Sweden and Nairobi, Kenya (East Africa).

He affectionately loves the Lord as he serves with his wonderful wife, Minister Shaunda Howerton, and they are the proud parents of two sons Earl T. Howerton III and Justus Joel Howerton.  His prayer is that the body of Christ would remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.