Dr. Andre Melvin was born in Washington, DC.  He committed his life to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1994, received, and accepted God’s call to preach the gospel in 1999.   Dr. Melvin has served in various capacities in the local church.  He served as a Street Evangelist in DC, a Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor, an Interim Pastor, and now presently serves as the Senior Pastor of Temple Zion Baptist Church in Columbia, SC, which is located three minutes from CIU’s campus.

As a community leader and mobilizer, Dr. Melvin has served with various church associations and coalitions including The Nehemiah Project, Inc., Midlands Baptist Ministerial Alliance, Mt. Hebron Progressive Baptist Association, Columbia Metro Baptist Association, North Monticello Leadership Coalition, Midlands Coalition of Churches. He serves on several boards including Midlands Coalition of Churches, Daybreak Life Center and Ben Lippen School Board of Directors. Dr. Melvin is married to Sheresa and they have two children, Isaiah and Hannah.

B.A., Carver Bible College; M.Div.  (Bible Exposition), Columbia International University; junior advancement officer, chapel director, Carver Bible College, 1999-2003; youth pastor, Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1999-2003; assistant dean of Ministry Skills Development, Columbia International University, 2005-2007; senior pastor of Temple Zion Baptist Church, 2008-Present; Director of Prison Initiative, 2011-Present. 

Education

• D. Min, Columbia International University
• M.Div., Columbia International University
• B.A. in Bible Exposition, Carver Bible College