Ronald D. Sterling

Pastor Sterling has been a pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal church for twenty years. His first thirteen years were served at his first pastoral charge, which began in November 1997 at Saint Stephen AME Church (Airport) in Birmingham, Alabama; his second charge was Saint Paul AME Church, Smithfield where he served for seven years. Currently, he is the pastor of Saint John AME Church, Downtown Birmingham. He serves as a contract chaplain at the UAB Health System, Department of Pastoral Care. As a part-time staff member of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, here in Birmingham, Pastor Sterling serves as the director of Student Services and as a lecturer in Christian Spiritual Formation. He has a passion for mentoring and serves as a Ministry Reflection Group leader at Beeson.

Pastor Sterling was the recipient of the Pastoral Ministry Award for the 2007-2008 graduating class of Beeson Divinity School by a vote of the Faculty. Most recently, he received the Beeson Divinity School Master of Divinity Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award. Pastor Sterling was also recognized by the Greater Titusville Civitan Club for his religious and community services during their 2017 Clergy Appreciation Week program. As a member of the 9th Episcopal District of the AME Church’s Board of Examiners, he serves as the dean and is a second-year studies instructor in the Northwest Alabama Annual Conference. Pastor Sterling helped to fulfill a vision of Bishop Harry L. Seawright, Presiding Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District by establishing the daily Warriors on the Wall Prayer Ministry in which he is the co-director.