WELCOME TO
ST. JOHN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
“Give all your worries and care to God, for he cares about you.”
1 Peter 5:7
SENIOR PASTOR
MARCUS LOWE SR.
Pastor Marcus Lowe, Sr. is the dynamic and anointed senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. With a heart for God and a vision for His people, Pastor Lowe is the 4th pastor in the church’s remarkable 99-year history of worshiping Christ and serving humanity. His leadership is defined by courage, passion, and a deep commitment to the calling God has placed on his life.
Pastor Lowe’s journey of faith began on July 4, 1992, when he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized on the very same day at the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Barberton, Ohio. Under the leadership of Dr. William V. Green, this powerful moment set the stage for what would become a lifelong commitment to God’s work.
A visionary from a young age, Pastor Lowe felt the calling to preach the gospel, and on April 11, 1999, he was licensed as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Four years later, on April 11, 2003, he preached his first sermon, marking the beginning of an extraordinary ministry that continues to touch lives today. His education in Theology at Akron Baptist Bible College equipped him further for ministry, and he became the Assistant Pastor at Livingston Baptist Church in Barberton, Ohio, under the guidance of the late Pastor David Carr Sr. He was ordained as a minister of the Gospel on June 13, 2003.
Pastor Lowe is married to the love of his life, Cathy, and together, they are the proud parents of two children, Katrina and Marcus Jr. They are also blessed to be grandparents to Lydia, the joy and light of their lives.
As Pastor Lowe leads St. John Missionary Baptist Church into its next chapter, we are confident that his anointed leadership and unwavering faith will continue to inspire and transform lives. His passion for Christ and his heart for the community is sure to bring about great things as we walk in faith together under his guidance.
Pastor Emeritus
Frederick Alexander Sleet
Pastor Emeritus Frederick Alexander Sleet, who has faithfully served as the senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Wayne from February 13, 2005 – April 14, 2024. Under his leadership, the church has flourished in both spiritual growth and community outreach, making a lasting impact on all who have been touched by his ministry.
Pastor Sleet’s dedication to the Word of God and the Great Commission has been unwavering. He is passionate about rightly dividing the Word to evangelize, teach, preach, baptize, and make disciples for God's Kingdom. His ministry has always been rooted in the love of Christ, and his heart for service has led him to take on many roles of leadership beyond our church.
In addition to his role as pastor, Pastor Sleet served as the General Secretary of the Northern Indiana Missionary Baptist District Association under the leadership of Moderator Dr. Charles M. Morgan. He also served as the Director General of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana Congress, working alongside Dr. Charles Adams, Rev. Andre Adams, and Dr. Ronald Covington. His dedication to advancing the Kingdom of God extends beyond the walls of our church, touching lives across the region.
Born in Anderson, Indiana, to the late Frederick Lloyd and Mary Helen Alexander Sleet, Pastor Sleet is the oldest of five children and the only son. He graduated from Anderson High School and Indiana University, later attending Central Indiana Theological Seminary in Muncie, Indiana. His academic and theological background has equipped him to be a powerful preacher, teacher, and servant of Christ.
Pastor Sleet has been married to his beloved wife, Carolyn J. Taylor Sleet, they have three wonderful children: Corey, Roderick, and Alexis. Their family’s support and commitment to ministry have been instrumental in the success of his pastoral journey.
The verse that encapsulates Pastor Sleet’s ministry is 2 Corinthians 4:5, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake." His life and ministry have truly been a reflection of this verse, and we are grateful for his unwavering service to God and His people.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- St. John's 100th Church AnniversarySun, Jul 13Fort Wayne