Reverend Dr. Alvin Armstead is a native of Philadelphia, PA. He was licensed to preach the gospel and ordained at Gethsemane Baptist Church, Newport News, Virginia, under the visionary leadership of Rev. Dr. Dwight Riddick. While at Gethsemane, Reverend Armstead was actively involved with the youth ministry and served as the Minister to Young Adults. In 2008, he was called to serve to be the Pastor of Cypress Baptist Church in Surry, Virginia. During his pastorate, the congregation expanded its mission and vision, implemented new outreach programs, initiated youth focused ministries, and many other programs to love, educate, and communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to its congregation and the community at large.
Rev. Armstead was called to serve at the First Union Baptist Church (Dill Road), Richmond, Virginia in September 2011. During his tenure, the congregation experienced tremendous growth in attendance at worship services, Bible study, and new souls were added to the church. Rev. Armstead’s heart for growing the congregation and serving the community were evident as he worked diligently to encourage discipleship and spiritual formation.
In August 2018, Rev. Armstead was called by God to serve as the Senior Pastor of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is the third pastor of this unique congregation that originated as two Baptist churches that merged together to serve the greater Winston-Salem community in a more impactful way. Under his leadership, the congregation continues to work diligently to reaffirm its mission and vision to Exalt, Enlist, Equip, and Engage an intergenerational community of disciples by bearing witness of God’s love for the world. Additionally, he has been a supporter of the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem, General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Dr. Armstead also serves as an advisory board member of the Ecclesiastical Council of the Triad Pastors Network in conjunction with the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity.
Rev. Armstead is devoted to academic scholarship and holds a number of degrees. In May 2018, he completed his doctoral thesis entitled, Living Beyond Sunday: Preaching as a Catalyst for Discipleship and awarded the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching degree from Chicago Theological Seminary, Chicago, IL. He received his Master of Divinity degree from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where he graduated with honors. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA.
Dr. Armstead has held several positions in the public and private sector. He continues to be a sought-after preacher and teacher, yet he is humbled when he considers how God has ordered his steps in life and ministry.
Dr. Armstead is the proud father of two daughters, Aria and Alauna.