Reverend Dr. James L. Graham, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Herndon, Virginia where he has served as pastor since May, 1995. He is a native of Sumter, South Carolina and the son of Gardenia Graham and the late James L. Graham. Dr. Graham and his wife, Reverend Gloria Graham, have two children, Andrea and James.
He attended Sumter High School and later pursued and attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from the South Carolina State University.
After college, he entered the Army and served for over 20 years. During his army career, he served in many key assignments in the United States and abroad. While in the military, he received numerous awards. Among them were the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Army Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; and Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He retired from the Army in 1994.
In 1987, he was selected as an Outstanding Young Man of America. In 1991, the President of the United States recognized him for his volunteer service to his community. He is listed in The Heritage Registry of Who’s Who. He is the Ambassador for Great Commission Global Ministry and the past president of the African American Fellowship, Virginia Baptist. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
He was licensed to preach the Gospel on July 23, 1989 at the Greater Little Zion Baptist Church, Fairfax, Virginia. He was ordained in December, 1990 by Antioch Baptist Church, Fairfax Station, Virginia.
Dr. Graham is a graduate of the Capital Bible Seminary, Lanham, Maryland; and Faith Christian University and Schools, Washington, DC. He has studied at the D.C. Bible Institute and the Minister’s Institute, Church of the Great Commission. On August 25th, 2005, Dr, Graham was awarded a Doctor of Divinity, Honorris Causa, from the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary, Liberia, West Africa.
He and Reverend Gloria Graham have a long-standing relationship. They first met in the seventh grade and have been married for thirty six years. They rededicated their lives to the Lord in 1981 and have been active in the church ministries throughout the United States and abroad. They have worked in jail/prison ministries, visitation to the sick and elderly, and have an active interest in the homeless. They have taught numerous classes on marriage and have conducted seminars and counseling sessions on the institution of marriage.
Gloria was licensed to preach the Gospel on August 7th, 2005 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Herndon VA. She is also a first grade teacher in Arlington, Virginia. Their daughter, Andrea received her Master of Social Work Degree from Howard University and is Owner/CEO of InfiniSource, Centreville, VA. James Omari received his Master of Business Administration in Finance from Delaware State University and is currently employed by Bearing Point. He is now married to a wonderful woman of God, Tamasha Graham.
Dr. Graham has a passion for international missions. He has been privileged to proclaim the Gospel in thirty different countries. Under his leadership, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church has established partnerships in thirteen countries, including Russia, Haiti, Kenya, Nigeria, India, Sudan, Benin, Ghana, and Liberia.
Among his favorite passages of scripture is Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift from God.
