St. James Temple A.M.E. Zion Church

Pastor Carolyn Marie Mercer, was born and raised in Newellton, Louisiana. Carolyn Mercer is known for her heartfelt zeal for helping those who suffer due to systemic inequality, leading by example and willingness to get in the trenches to advocate for others. She has developed programs such as the Guaranteed Apprenticeship Program (GAP) t...
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Pastor Carolyn Marie Mercer, was born and raised in Newellton, Louisiana. Carolyn Mercer is known for her heartfelt zeal for helping those who suffer due to systemic inequality, leading by example and willingness to get in the trenches to advocate for others. She has developed programs such as the Guaranteed Apprenticeship Program (GAP) that assist low income persons with job-readiness when transitioning from state assistance into the workforce, and a transitional program to bridge the gap from home life into day care, or kindergarten for young Severely Emotionally Disturbed (SED) children. Pastor Mercer attended Northeast Louisiana University and completed her studies in Sociology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with a minor in Substance Abuse Counseling. Additionally, she completed theological studies through the African Methodist Episcopal Board of Examiner. Currently, she is satisfying the requirements of a graduate level counseling internship with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Carolyn Mercer is no stranger to Alaska and has achieved many noteworthy accomplishments in the city of Fairbanks.

Carolyn Mercer is the first and only female to receive pastoral orders to First African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and St. James Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church in Fairbanks, Alaska. She is also noted as the first female African American senior pastor in the city. She is currently the first African American female Executive Director of Adult Learning Programs of Alaska which has been established over 40 years. She is a disabled wartime veteran who is proud of the nine years of service she dedicated to her country. She accepted her calling into ministry in 2000 and was ordained Deacon in 2002, then Elder in the years to follow.