On May 18, 1992, Rev. Carlton R. Caldwell began his ministry at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church and exactly 33 years later Caldwell will close out his preaching journey there.
Caldwell’s “journey of love and enthusiasm,” will be celebrated with three events to mark his retirement as pastor.
Community Night will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16 with Bishop Mike Jones, pastor of Friendly Temple, paying homage to Caldwell
Two services will be held respectively on Sunday, May 18. At 10:15 a.m., Jimmy Brown from St. Luke Memorial will be the morning speaker and then at 3 p.m. the Rev. Earl Nance, Jr. from Greater Mt. Carmel will be the speaker of the hour.
During his distinguished career, Caldwell had many achievements including the remodeling of Galilee’s sanctuary. A new church van has been purchased, a portion of Pendleton was renamed for renowned congregation member Dr. I.C. Peay Av., and the I.C. Peay Fellowship Hall has been paid off.
The pastor established the Carlton R. Caldwell Library and the Galilee Community Development Corporation, and created Small Groups, The Bread and Loaves Saturday Evangelism effort, The Power in Praise Dance Ministry, The Walking Up The Stairs Book Club, the Galilee Café and WET (Wednesday Evenings Together) where meals are made available to all who come and that includes those who may be homeless.
The Bread and Loaves ministry got an elevation by integrating the Grill to Glory program which is sponsored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The most recent accomplishment is completing Phase 1 of the church heating and cooling system.
Caldwell knew his work was not confined to his church. He traveled to preach the word, learning, and finishing his education all while shepherding the congregation at Galilee. He has had an audience with the Pope; a mission tour to Kenya; two trips to the Holy Land; and visits to the Steps of Paul.
He has been an adjunct professor at Covenant Seminary. He has authored 3 books: We Are All Ministers – Moving Members From The Pews To Purpose – 2012; Little by Little – 2014; and “But Now, That’s A Fact” sermons from the Apostle Paul; and he has demonstrated leadership by being the moderator in two different district associations: Mt. Carmel Missionary District Association and Berean Missionary Baptist District Association.
“There are no easy steps to maturity. Be patient with God’s plan for your growth.”
In a 2014 St. Louis American interview, Caldwell said Little by Little “reveals important truths he discovered throughout his life (in bad times as well as in good), and he hopes readers will be inspired and find humor in his story.
The book weaves personal narrative with Biblical passages. He was inspired by the text of Deuteronomy 7:22, “in which God says that He will remove the obstacles in front of His chosen people ‘little by little.’
A native of Little Rock, Ark. who was reared in a strict Christian household, Caldwell said the book examines his early years as a Black boy dealing with segregation in the Jim Crow era.
He left home his junior year in high school, searching for “an opportunity to flap his wings in the world,” he said. His “wild partying” led him astray, much like the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. He also ran from the ministry and grew up wanting to be a disc jockey or the next Calvin Murphy in the NBA. Murphy was, at that time, the shortest player to be drafted in the NBA.
He had returned to the church and was singing in the choir at Mt. Pleasant M.B. in Kansas City, Mo when his pastor stopped him and inquired ‘What are you going to do with your life?’”
He accepted the call to join the ministry in the early 1970s. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College, a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Baptist Seminary.
His first full-time pastoral role was at Second Baptist Church in Mexico, Mo. He moved to St. Louis in 1990; and two years later, he became pastor of Galilee M.B. Church.
“There are no easy steps to maturity,” Caldwell said. “Be patient with God’s plan for your growth.’”
Pastor Caldwell said while his pastoring journey may end on Sunday, May 18,2025, [my] life journey shall continue as [I] picks up my next passion- travel with love and enthusiasm.”
May god continue to bless you , my mentor and good friend