Reverend Joseph W. Stanley, Jr. is the oldest son of Joseph W. Stanley Sr. and the late Dorothy M. Stanley. Pastor Stanley was called into the gospel ministry at a young age and began preaching at the age of 14. Pastor Stanley was born and raised in the historic Mt. Olivet Baptist Church under the tutelage of the late Rev.  Dr. Charles E. Booth. He received his license to preach the gospel in Circleville, Ohio, under the leadership of Rev. Derrick K. Holmes, and In 2020, he was ordained by the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association (E.U.M.B.A) at the invitation of the Antioch Baptist Church, where he served as Executive Pastor for three and a half years.

 

Pastor Stanley is a product of Columbus International High School (now known as Columbus North International School). He attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and afterward, he earned his Master of Theological Studies with a concentration in Black Church Studies from the Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Pastor Stanley is now pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

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Pastor Stanley currently serves as the fourth Vice Moderator of the Eastern Union Missionary Baptist Association. He also serves on the Catechizing Committee for the Ministers, Deacons & Trustees Institute. Additionally, he serves as the Vice President of the Columbus Baptist Association.

Rev. Stanley is the immediate past president of the Youth & Young Adult Auxiliary for Eastern Union and is also a proud member of the National Academy of Preachers.

 

On February 6th, 2023, Pastor Stanley, under God's direction, was called to be the 12th Pastor of the Greater Twelfth Missionary Baptist Church now known as Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church. A name birthed out of a merger between Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, Calvary Tremont Baptist Church, and Greater Twelfth Baptist Church. Under his leadership the church has increased in ministry, membership, property assets, church finance, and so much more. In May of 2024, Pastor Stanley led the charge in forming the Greater Community Foundation 501c3 to serve as the nonprofit arm of the church.

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Beyond his ecclesiastical roles, Rev. Stanley serves as the chair of the South Linden Area Commission, where he helps shape policies and initiatives to improve the quality of life in one of Columbus’s most historic neighborhoods. 

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Pastor Stanley is married to the beautiful Lady Madison Renee Stanley and together they are the proud parents of two beautiful girls, Karmen, & Jayda.  Lady Madison diligently and faithfully serves alongside her husband and impels his vision for Greater Mt. Calvary.

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Pastor Stanley has a deep love and passion for music, theater, social justice, and education. He believes that with God, all things are possible. He holds close to Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."