Our Pastor

Reverend Dr. Nilous M. Avery, II, Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.)

• Native of Asheville, North Carolina

• Oldest of four children born to the late Reverend Dr. Nilous M. Avery & the late Mrs. Christine Watson Avery

• Married to the former Nicole Denise Hill, December 17, 2016

• Brings to this union, Joshua Avery and Raven Hill

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• Education:

  • Graduate of Asheville High School, Asheville, NC, 1976

  • Bachelor of Arts Degree [B.A.], Shaw University, Raleigh, NC,1980

  • Master of Divinity Degree [M.Div.], Shaw Divinity School, Raleigh, NC, 2000

  • Doctor of Ministry Degree [D. Min.], Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, NC, 2005

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• Former Educator, Asheville City Schools (Aug. 1981- Mar. 1992)

• Asheville City Schools’ “Teacher-of-the-Year” (1988 – 1989)

• President of the N.C. Association of Educators, Asheville Unit (1991-1992)

• Former Assistant Principal, Asheville Middle School (Mar. 1992 – Sept. 1992)

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• Former Associate Minister & Musician of the Hill Street Baptist Church, Asheville, NC where his father, the late Dr. N.M. Avery, served as Pastor from 1951-2002 (over 51 years)

• Pastor of the historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Salisbury, Inc. since October 1992 (2^nd oldest African-American Baptist Church in Salisbury, NC)

• Served as 32nd President (2014-2018): The General Baptist State Convention of N.C., Inc. (GBSC), which includes over 500,000 Missionary Baptists, 1,400 churches, and 60 associations throughout the state of N.C.; one of the largest and oldest African-American organizations in the Southeastern United States

• Chair of the Executive Committee, GBSC (2014-2018)

• Shaw University Board of Trustees (2014-2018)

• Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Missions Convention Executive Committee (2014-2018)

• National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Board (2014-2018)

• GBSC Vice President-at-large and Chair of the General Board, 2010-2014

• GBSC First Vice-President, 2006-2010

• GBSC Second Vice-President, 2002-2006

• GBSC Fourth Vice-President, 2000-2002

• GBSC General Board and Executive Committee, 1994-present

• GBSC Evangelism and Program Committees, 1994-2000

Current Boards

• Chair of the Shaw University Board of Visitors, Raleigh, NC (2017- present)

• Hood Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, Salisbury, NC (2017- present)

• Salisbury-Rowan Community Development Corporation (2005- present)

• Co-Founder (2007) and current Member of the Executive Board, Salisbury-Rowan County Interdenominational Minister’s Fellowship (IMF)

• Salisbury Police Dept. Chief’s Advisory Board, (2020-present)

• Project SAFE Rowan

Has served and continues to serve on numerous commissions,

community foundations, and boards including:

• Served eight years (2001-2009) on the Board of Directors, Rowan County Department of Social Services (Vice-Chair, 2007 & Chair, 2008 - 2009)

• Rowan Missionary Baptist Association, Former Ordaining Council Chair

• Former Member, The United Negro College Fund Leadership Committee of Livingstone College, Salisbury

• Former Board of Directors, Salisbury-Rowan County Habitat for Humanity

• Former Board of Directors, Salisbury-Rowan County Communities in Schools

• Former Board of Directors, Rowan County Helping Ministries

• Former Board of Directors, Rowan County Arts Council

• Former Board of Directors, Novant Rowan Regional Medical Center

• Former Board of Directors, American Red Cross of Rowan County

• Former Executive Board & Community Intervention Team, Project SAFE

Neighborhoods, Salisbury- Rowan County

• Former Member, Project Hope, Faith-based Re-entry Resource Ministry for ex-felons

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Life’s Motto:

A Servant of God … A Servant to God … A Servant for God

with A Passion for God & Compassion for People!