Personal:
- Rev. Alex Pickens III
- Age: 34
- Ordained: ABC Ordained 2006
Education:
- MDIV McCormick Theology Seminary 2005
- MHS John Hopkins University 2002
- BBA Howard University 1996
Family:
- Naudia, M.D. from MSU in 2008 Currently interning in Psychiatry
- Catherine – age 4 years
- Christian – age 10 months
Recent Work History:
- 02/01/2006 – present Associate Pastor: Second Baptist Church of Detroit
- 06/01/2002 – present Secular Employment: Brightmoor General Medical Center
- 01/01/2004 – 12/31/2005 Supply Preaching: Gratiot Ave. Presbyterian Church
- 08/01/2008 – 06/30/2001 Supply Preaching: New Shiloh Baptist
- 06/01/2000 – 09/01/2000 Camp Director: Camp N Kyin
From one of his references:
- “I have known him for a very long time, and I find him to be a young man that is determined to make Christ smile. He will allow the gifts and talents that God has given him to guide and direct his ministry through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is a very conscientious young man who has the concern for others well being and Spiritual growth. He will be obedient to the Spirits leading as he walks by faith, and not by sight. I think you are considering a bright future for the people of God at University Baptist Church…”
From another reference:
- “An apt student, a hard worker and an engaging and personable minister, I was glad to offer Rev. Pickens an opportunity to join our staff … He has shown excellent initiative creating marriage enrichment opportunities for our married couples. He has established and sustained Youth Group classes and expanded them by incorporating Junior Achievement instruction into our Youth Ministry experiences. He has embraced the responsibility of visitation for hospitalized member and bereaved families. He serves as the Co-Captain of our Community Out Reach and Evangelism team, leading in recent efforts at organizing a door to door outreach in our downtown neighborhood and a subsequent public meeting to address some issues raised by our outreach … In addition to these areas of responsibility, Rev. Pickens was expected to preach at least once a month in support of our Youth and Young Adult Worship Sundays … His ability to preach to any and to all is demonstrated in the fact that people “hear him gladly” … I believe that he has shown himself to be ready and able to take on the tremendous responsibility of serving as the shepherd of a congregation … His wife, Dr. Naudia Pickens is an articulate and involved Christian woman, wife, and mother. Together with their young daughter Catherine and new son Christian, the Pickens make a very lovely and loving family.”
The following information represents a fraction of the information the search committee received by extensive interviews and conversation with Rev. Pickens over the course of the search process. These written responses are representative of Rev. Pickens’s call to the ministry, leadership style and vision for the Lord’s work.
1. Tell us your testimony.
In 1997 I was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal, West Africa. While in an open air market I received and accepted an invitation to a missionary’s prayer meeting. After the meeting, while walking dusty streets, I kept asking myself, “What else did you think you were going to do?” The question sprung from my career aspirations to that point and their meaninglessness in the face of the proclamation of the Gospel. In that market, I realized that nothing I do for the rest of my life will be as important as ministry. It was at that point that I made a decision to begin preparing for a life of service to the Lord.
2. How do you balance your personal family life with your ministry?
Family is a gift. I balance family life with my ministry by focusing on the long term. When I enter or leave a congregation, I come and go with little that means more to me than my family. When things go well in the delivery of ministry, I have no one more ready to celebrate than my family. When ministry does not go well, I have no one more ready to listen and console than my family. Because they are important to me, I am intentional and specific in my efforts to balance family life and ministry.
I strive to share morning and evening meals with my family. The voluntary absence of a television in our home stimulates conversation and edifying recreational options. We walk together in the evenings and share the day’s events. I spend one-on-one time with each of our children to learn more about them as they grow. My wife and I date on a regular basis. We vacation with and without the children.
3. What makes you particularly open to the possibility of a call to University Baptist Church?
I am open to the idea of using my gifts and graces to minister to younger families in the community. The search committee hinted and the profile confirmed that the attraction of younger families is a goal for UBC. I am open to discovering whether my cross-cultural sensitivity and millennial perspective would be a good fit at University Baptist Church. University has pronounced a strong interest in missions. An eye toward the mission fields is in line with my history of service to Christ domestically and internationally.
4. What is the most important thing a church does -- and how do you lead them in doing it well?
The most important thing a church does is provide an opportunity for anyone to repent and turn to a life of faith in Christ.
I lead people by reminding them that they are sermons in the shoes they wear Monday through Saturday. People watch people. My members are able to help others repent and turn when they are ready to give an answer to anyone about their life of faith. There are more conversions taking place outside of the walls of churches than inside. Most people make a decision for Christ after watching the demonstration of a life of faith well-lived.
I lead members by emphasizing that there are no lines of demarcation between the spiritual and the quotidian. Both the spiritual life and the daily grind ought to be Biblically informed. I teach people to use the Word of God to preach better sermons in shoes, thereby allowing others to witness a life of faith, ask about it, repent and turn to Christ.
5. What do you think student ministry should look like in a place like University Baptist Church?
The student ministry should be a place of creativity, spontaneity and vitality. Students bring a zest and vigor to church life that is difficult to duplicate. A church that abuts a university campus should be able to provide support to students in their daily challenges in and beyond the classroom. The student ministry should be a place where students find that support.
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