Hopewell Baptist Church

Rev. Anthony Murray - Pastor

Email Rev. Anthony

Pastor Anthony Murray was born in Pittsburgh, Pa and is one of ten children. He attended Hardy Bible School and The Center for Urban Biblical Ministry of Geneva College. He is currently attending COPP School, instituted by the Tennessee Sunday School Publishing Board, to become certified to teach. Pastor  Murray has received his certification to teach at  the Copp School, for the Allegheny Union Baptist Association. Pastor Anthony Murray has also increased his learning by attending the Progressive National Baptist Convention, which holds minister seminar classes for Christian leadership. As well as, attending the Hampton Baptist Minister's Conference. Pastor Murray is currently attended the American Baptist College, where he is continuing to study to show thyself  approved unto God.  He is currently going on his tenth year of pastoring the Hopewell Baptist Church.

In 1979, Pastor Murray accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized at St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church, in Hazelwood, PA by his father in the ministry, Rev. Alvin coon. Throughout his tenure at St. John he served as a member of the Angelic choir, the senior usher board, the trustee board, Sunday School superintendent and was ordained as a deacon May 17, 1987.

Pastor Murray received his call to preach the Word of God in April, 1997. He served as associate minister to Rev. Alvin Coon until August 24, 2001. It was at this time he was called to be the shepherd of Hopewell Baptist Church. Rev. Anthony  Murray was installed as pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church  on October 28, 2001. Some of the blessings received at Hopewell under his leadership include: new carpet in the sanctuary, installation of a handicap ramp - 2002, addition of new ministries, ordination of three deacons – 2003. Pastor Anthony  Murray has also license  three associate ministers.  Installation of new windows in the sanctuary and purchase of a brand new 15 passenger van, which Hopewell Baptist Church now owns.  On September 6, 2003, 15 area churches gathered together and celebrated Jeannette’s first block party fellowship with his leadership. Pastor Anthony  Murray continues to be “A man on the move for God” as Hopewell’s membership continues to grow and God continues to increases his territory.

In 2002, he was elected as president of the Westmoreland Ministerial Alliance. God has blessed Pastor Anthony Murray to also become the president of the Jeannette Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Anthony  Murray was also the area vice president of the Lower Monongahela Area Clergy, for the Allegheny Union Baptist Association (AUBA).  Pastor Anthony Murray in November 2009, was elected as the Lower Monongahela Area Vice Moderator of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association.

Pastor Anthony Murray is married to a wonderful and loving woman of god, Minster Karen Murray. They were blessed with five beautiful daughters: Antoinette, Andrienne, Angela, Ashley, Alisha and a wonderful son-in-law Alex who is married to Antoinette. Prayer changes things!

Minister Karen Murray, one of five children, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. Minister Karen Murray accepted Christ during her childhood years, and was baptized at Morningstar Baptist Church located in Glenwood, Pa.

She later joined St. John's the Evangelist Baptist Church in Hazelwood, Pa. in 1979 under the guidance and leadership of Pastor Alvin Coon. At  the St. John's, Evangelist  Baptist Church,  Minister Karen Murray began nurturing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was involved in several ministries: Senior Ushers, a faithful Sunday School teacher, and diligent Missionary worker. In May of 1987 she became a deaconess where she faithfully fulfilled her spiritual responsibility to God and her church. While at St. John's The Evangelist Baptist Church, she also attended numerous workshops and seminars to increase her learning, while also being a faithful mother and wife.

In October of 2001 Minister Karen Murray became the First Lady of Hopewell Baptist Church in Jeannette, Pa.Since being a member of the  Hopewell Baptist Church, the Lord has found favor and seen workmanship in this Woman of God. In 2005 the Lord called Minister Karen Murray to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has used her  time wisely that the Lord has alotted to her.  Her time with God and serving her family.  Minister Karen Murray is part of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association, minister wives and widows ministry,  She is looking forward to attending classes once again with the Allegheny Union Baptist Association COPP School. Her studies have also been nutured  by her attending the Progressive National Baptist Convention, which holds minister seminar classes on Christian leadership.  Another way her knowledge in Chrst has nutured,  she  attends the Hampton Baptist Ministers Conference each year. Minister Karen Murray is continuing to study to show thyself approved unto God, she is currently a student at the American Baptist College.

Minister Karen Murray most of all is a born again Christian who loves God and worshipping the Lord. A mother of five adult children who highly respect her for her love for  God and the love that she shows them in truth. Minister Murray knows that prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door. There is power in prayer! Pastor Anthony Murray is proud to call her his wife, and the Woman of God, that she is.