Anthony Carter is the founder and pastor of Truth Baptist Church. He is joyfully married to his wife, Terri, and together they are blessed with three children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren. Dr. Carter was called into the ministry by the Lord Jesus Christ while serving in the United States Army in the Republic of Panama. During his time there, he faithfully served at Maranatha Baptist Church as a deacon and bus captain. It was there that the Lord placed a clear call on his heart to return to his hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, to preach the gospel. From childhood until the day he left Jacksonville to enter the military, Dr. Carter never had anyone come to his home to share the gospel of Christ, despite the presence of several churches in the city. This reality deeply shaped his burden for reaching others with the truth of God’s Word. After completing his military service, Pastor Carter pursued theological education, earning a Bachelor of Biblical Studies from Gulf Coast Bible Institute, followed by a Master of Religious Education and a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary. With a deep desire to see his “kinsmen according to the flesh” grounded in Scripture, Dr. Carter began a weekly Bible study in his parents’ home. That small gathering laid the foundation for what would eventually become Truth Baptist Church.

Pastor Ernest D. Mizzell, Sr., a proud native of Ahoskie, North Carolina, was born on April 10, 1956. After graduating from high school, he joined the Army National Guard, where he served for three and a half years while attending junior college. Following his junior college education, he enlisted in the United States Army and faithfully served for 20 years. While stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Pastor Mizzell accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior on December 18, 1983, at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Although he did not attend Bible college, he is deeply grateful for the pastors who mentored him and for the courses he completed that prepared him for ministry. Before retiring from the Army at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Pastor Mizzell and his wife sought God’s guidance and direction in prayer. The Lord led him to serve alongside Pastor David Burden at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Akron, Ohio. During his time in Ohio, Pastor Mizzell also worked with the Veterans Service Commission for 20 years, where he assisted veterans and their families by submitting claims, providing financial assistance, and, most importantly, sharing the Word of God with those he served. After five years at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Pastor Mizzell felt God’s call to begin an inner-city ministry in Canton, Ohio. He ministered there for 13 years, witnessing many come and go, but remaining thankful for those who stayed faithful and continue to serve the Lord today. Sadly, due to the COVID pandemic, the church was forced to close. After much prayer, the Lord led him to Truth Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Pastor Mizzell and his wife, Melinda, have been married for 43 years. They are blessed with three children and nine grandchildren.

Charlie Wilson is the Deacon of Truth Baptist Church. Deacon Wilson is a retired Code Enforcement Supervisor for the City of Jacksonville. He has been married to his wife, Patricia, for over 57 years and they have three children and five grandchildren. He is active in the church choir, as well as a soloist and loves to serve the Lord in any capacity that he can.

Crystal Carter-Williams is the Church Clerk for Truth Baptist Church. She has been a member of the church since it's inception. She has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Crystal is employed by CitiBank and has been with the company over 25 years. She is an active member of our church choir and a soloist. .