Rev. C.J. Oliver is Senior Pastor at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, as well as the Pastor Emeritus of Greater New Light Missionary Baptist Church Waco, Incorporated. He is the 7th child in the union of the late Rev. Mack LaFayette Oliver and the late Ann Eva (Roy) Oliver. He is married to Loretta Elizabeth (Hartfield) Oliver and is the father of four daughters (Nikitha, Chloe, Loren, and Konee'), four sons (Waymone, Jeffrey, Daylon, and Matthew) through adoption and grandfather of seven grandsons, ten granddaughters, and one great granddaughter.

He has traveled throughout the United States as a professional percussionist playing for groups such as Teddy Huffam & The Gems, Tony Comer & Crosswinds and other recording artists. He has also traveled as a conference speaker throughout the State of Texas and Michigan.

He began his pastoral tenure at Greater New Light MBC of Waco, Inc. on May 12, 1991. He was led by the Spirit of God to view a larger facility for the growing membership, which is the present location at 18th & Bosque Boulevard. On September 13, 2015 he transitioned from Pastor to Pastor Emeritus, following in the footsteps of the Founding Pastor of Greater New Light MBC, the late Rev. Lorenzo Hartfield. On August 6, 2017 he became the Interim Pastor of Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He was called to Greater Zion as their Pastor on August 5. 2018.

He has been very instrumental in working with community organizations to better the greater Waco community. Through God’s leading, he is responsible for instituting the “Feast Unto The Lord”, a free Thanksgiving Dinner for the elderly, sick and shut-ins and the homeless.He is the Founder of B.R.O.T.H.E.R.S. of Waco, Incorporated. “A Boys To Men” and “Young Girls Growing Into Womanhood” ministries are programs under the umbrella of the incorporation.

Pastor Oliver has served as Dean and 1st Vice President of the Sunday School Congress for Union Baptist District Association and is a former member of the Community Youth Development Committee which helped in the funding process for several organizations in the 76707 zip code. He served as the Waco Regional Baptist Association Prayer Coordinator in the late 1990’s and again in the 2000’s. He has also served as a board member for Waco Habitat for Humanity. He currently serves on the board of directors for Prosper Waco and is currently serving as a member of the Executive Team for “The Gathering” which began in 2015 to bring the community together for a Palm Sunday Worship service in Waco.

Educationally, Pastor Oliver has attained a Real Estate Business Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Management. He has also completed two (2) years of study in Music Performance.

Above all else he loves the Lord, his wife and family with all his heart and has a strong compassion for God’s people.His favorite scripture is Philippians 4:13 which states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Because of this scripture, Rev. C.J. Oliver and the Greater New Light Family adopted the slogan, “IT CAN BE DONE!” while he was their Senior Pastor.

Spouse: Charlotte Hill

Family: Steven and Ebony, 8 grandchildren

Greater Zion Member since: 1995

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

• Chair of Deacons

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: Isaiah 40:28-31– Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

“If we will just wait upon the Lord, everything will be alright.”

Spouse: Muriel Phillips

Family: Marlon, Marla, Ashley

Greater Zion Member since: 

Associated Chuch Activities/Committees/Auxilliaries:

• Treasurer
• Usher
• Men's Choir

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: Geniesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth.

"Creator of all movement, God the Beginner, Provider of all the Heaven and Earth.  There is nothing like God, the Father, the Holy Spirit."

Spouse: Mary Bondurant

Greater Zion Member since: 1982

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

• Vice President Brotherhood
• Men’s Day Co-Chair

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.

Spouse: Beverly Nichols

Greater Zion Member since: 2010

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

• Facility, Maintenance, and Groundskeeping Manager

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: Roman 8:28  - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

"It is my hope that when I am weak, I can read it, and it will make my day better."

Spouse: Ruby Merritt

Greater Zion Member since: 2011

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

• Benevolence Committee

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son.

Spouse: Joyce Anderson

Greater Zion Member since: 2012

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

• Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School
• Treasurer of Brotherhood

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: Psalm 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Spouse: Marcy Hill

Greater Zion Member since: 2012

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

•  President Brotherhood
• Church Security

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: Psalm 133:1 –Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

"It is about brothers dwelling together in unity. This is what the world needs, Unity and Love!"

Spouse: Shelia Williams

Greater Zion Member since: 1980

Associated Church Activities/Committees/Auxiliaries:

• Drill Team

Favorite Bible Verse & Why: John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten son.