MOULTRIE — Union Missionary Baptist Church will hold its annual church banquet at the County Agriculture Building on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.

The speaker for the occasion will be the Rev. James R. Edwards, pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Baconton, Ga., and first vice moderator of the Camilla Missionary Baptist Association.

Edwards is a native of Snow Lake, Ark., and a graduate of Mildred Jackson High School in Hughes, Ark. He attended Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration and an undergraduate degree in Christian education. His military education includes the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Recruiter School, the Basic School for Officers, Personnel Officer’s Course, Amphibious Warfare Course, and the Legal Officer’s Course. He has taken extension courses in Christian education from Liberty Baptist University and Chaminade University.

Edwards was drafted into the United States Marine Corps and began his active duty career Nov. 17, 1969, at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, S.C. He has served at many posts and stations within the United States and overseas, rising from the grade of private through the enlisted ranks to warrant officer.

He retired from the Marine Corps on May 31, 2000, after serving more than 30 years, having been promoted to the grade of major. His decorations include the Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit.

Edwards was ordained a deacon at Christian Valley Missionary Baptist Church in North Chicago, Ill., in 1978. He served as deacon and Sunday school teacher at Marshall Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Midway Park, N.C., from November 1980 until June 1982. He served as deacon and president of brotherhood for Second Missionary Baptist Church in Oceanside, Calif. While at the City of Refuge Christian Church in Waipahu, Hawaii, he accepted his “calling” into the ministry, preaching his initial sermon on Thanksgiving Day 1985, and served as Bible instructor, counselor and lay leader. He was ordained at the Springfield Missionary Baptist Church in Hawkinsville, Ga., in April 1989.

From October 1988 to October 1991, he was the associate pastor at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Dale, S.C. In October 1991, he returned to Hawaii where he became the lay leader (pastor) for the gospel service at the Camp Smith Chapel in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the associate pastor at Grace Christian Church in Kaneohe, Hawaii. In October 1994 he became the pastor of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Plainview, Texas, while attending Wayland Baptist University. He served as pastor of the Summerhill Missionary Baptist Church in Pelham, Ga., from September 1999 until October 2002.

Arriving in Albany, Ga., in September 1995, Edwards became active in the local community. He joined the Albany/Dougherty 2000 Friends Partnership and the Mitchell County Christian Leadership Coalition. He is a past board member of the Albany Chapter of the Salvation Army; Faith Community Outreach, where he served as chairman of the board for two years; and the Adult Literacy Council at Albany Technical College. He has served as the chairman of the Putney District Union and vice president of the Second District of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc.

He currently serves as a member of the Albany Chapter of Christmas in April, The National Naval Officer’s Association, The Montford Point Marine Association, and The Mitchell County Certified Literate Community Program; president of both the Mitchell County Ministerial Alliance and the Baconton Community Group of Churches; and a Certified Correctional Associate (chaplain) at the Jimmy Autry State Prison in Pelham, volunteering more than 12 hours a week.

He maintains membership in many civic and charitable organizations such as the NAACP, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Blacks In Government and Leadership Albany.

He is married to the former Ethel Louise Sheffield of Hawkinsville, Ga. They have five children and 12 grandchildren.

The Interim pastor is of Union Missionary Baptist Church is the Rev. R.0. Calhoun. Music will be provided by the Rev. C. L. Ponder.