ALL ABOUT OUR PASTOR EMERITUS.....

Reverend Byrd Lacey, Jr. was one of 12 children born to Byrd Lacey, Sr. and Elizabeth Swearengin Lacey in Chapel Hill, Texas. He grew up in Chapel Hill, attending and graduating from C. H. Hogan High School. He received his early religious training and was baptized at the Providence Missionary Baptist Church, also located in Chapel Hill, Texas. 

Reverend Lacey later moved to Houston, Texas and received additional religious training at Union Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained as a minister in 1958 at the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church by the late Reverend L. E. Brown and the late Reverend J.S. Smith of Galveston, Texas. He graduated from Union Baptist Theological Seminary in 1961, with a degree in Theology. He received his Doctorate in Divinity Studies from the Inter-Baptist Theological Center in 1981. 

River Lacey pastor the following four (4) churches before being called to his current church: Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Huntsville, Texas (1977-1983); West Tabernacle Baptist Church, Conroe, Texas (1971-1977); Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church , El Campo, Texas (1965-1971) and McGee Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Houston, Texas (1960-1965).

In October 1983, Reverend Lacey was called to the Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where he continues to serve faithfully as pastor, teacher, counselor, mentor and friend; not just to his church membership, but to the entire Houston community as well. 

During his tenure at Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church, Rev. Lacey has received numerous awards and has been recognized by several local, state, and national organizations. Some of his most distinguished accomplishments are as follows: 

He was appointed as Dean of the South Texas District Missionary Baptist Association under former moderator M. L. Jackson, now under the direction of moderate are Acie Jefferson, where he is responsible for the association's bible instruction.

He has been the keynote speaker at the National Baptist Missionary Association of America.

He was awarded the Humanitarian and Leadership Award by the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in 1987.

He was recognized as a leader in Christian education by the National Baptist Sunday Church School and Baptist Training Union of the National Baptist Publishing Board in 1988.

He was recognized for community service by the Metro Southeast Houston Chapter of the National Women of Achievement in 1995.

He was honored by the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. as one of Houston's outstanding ministers in 2002.

In spite of all of these recognized accomplishments, Rev. Lacey is most proud of the countless souls he has brought to Christ, which he firmly believes is the mission of every Christian.  Rev. Lacey holds this principle to be true:  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path. (Proverbs 3: 5-6). 

Reverend is married to the former Marylyn Fields, and together they have four children Cheryl Donovan, Cheryl Chandler, Kim Carter and Jacqueline Ward. He also has ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. 

Rev. Lacey retired after XX years of service.