Elder Christopher Whitehead celebrates his 1st anniversary as pastor of NE G'ville church

Christopher Whitehead grew up on the outskirts of Tallahassee and is now the pastor of Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church in northeast Gainesville.

Whitehead is celebrating his 1st anniversary as pastor of the church at 510 NE 15th St., and one of the celebration services was held Sunday morning at the church. Services remaining to celebrate the anniversary will be held at the church at 7 p.m. Friday with Pastor Kevin Thorpe of Faith Baptist Church as the guest speaker, and on Sunday at 11 a.m. with Apostle Linda Bradley as the guest speaker and at 3 p.m. with Pastor Dr. Tyrone A. Blue of First Missionary Baptist Church as the guest speaker.

Pastor Larry Austin of Testerina Primitive Baptist Church in Tallahassee was the guest speaker at the service on Sunday, and he preached on the subject of "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize."

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Austin said he sees Whitehead as a son in ministry.

“I’m very happy and honored to celebrate your anniversary,” Austin said. “Every time I had an anniversary, he was there for me. I had to take some time to make it down here because you’ve been too good to me.”

Austin read from I Corinthians 9:15-24.

“Some people are in the rat race of life,” Austin said. “Some people run to seek riches. Others are motivated by power and some are moved by wealth. All have one thing in common — it leads to a corruptible crown.”

Confidence is one of the major reasons people win races, Austin said.

He said believers in the word of God should study the Bible similar to how track runners study the track before a race.

“Studying the track you’re running on helps you to get ahead of your competition,” Austin said. “That’s why I study. When the enemy comes in, I know how to win because I have Jesus on my side.”

Austin then asked parishioners if they were on the right track in life.

“Every step is crucial and every second is precious,” Austin said. “When it comes to running the race, track runners are taught not to look to their left or their right because it slows them down. They are taught to look forward and to keep their eyes on the prize."

Whitehead is the husband to Dawandrea Whitehead and a father to nine children — six sons and three daughters.

He has been driving from Sopchoppy to Gainesville since 2021 to attend the church, Whitehead said.

Sopchoppy is 45 minutes southwest of Tallahassee.

He was installed as the pastor for Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church in March of 2022.

Whitehead said he grew up in ministry by participating in music for over 15 years, and he said the role of becoming a pastor is not new to his family.

“I had two uncles who were pastors,” Whitehead said. “One of them was the former pastor of this church — Alvin Ford. I am walking in his footsteps. I’m driving the same van, working in the same office and preaching in the same pulpit.”

Whitehead said being a pastor has been a rewarding experience.

“We are a church that is led by God and is committed to growing - spiritually, emotionally and financially,” Whitehead said. “Our mission is to get out into the community.”

His commitment to being a pastor shows through his dedication by continuing to travel from Sopchoppy to Gainesville.

“I love the history, nature and people here,” Whitehead said. “They have given me the opportunity to execute spiritually and build authority. They have watched me grow.”

Whitehead said he is looking forward to getting acquainted with other pastors and the city.

Doris Brown, chairwoman of the Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church Mothers Board, welcomed parishioners to the service.

“For this whole year, we have no regrets for our pastor and his family,” Brown said. “We love him dearly. We want to thank those who are here to celebrate.”

Whitehead said he loved imitating pastors when he was a child, and said Austin was one of his favorite pastors to imitate.

“We as children will imitate preachers,” Whitehead said as parishioners laughed. “Nobody imitated them better than me.”