Reverend Eric R. Cummings, Sr - Moderator

NEXT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT


Family

  • Born in Ocala, FL, on March 12, 1969, to the late Ms. Florine Nivins and the late Mr. Joseph A. Cummings Sr.

  • Married to Lisa Colbert Cummings.

  • Proud father of six children and grandfather of five.

Education

  • Graduated from Ocala Forest High School in 1987.

  • Earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Management, Magna Cum Laude, from Edward Waters University, Jacksonville, FL.

  • Achieved both Bachelor and Master of Theology degrees, Magna Cum Laude, from United Theological Seminary and Bible College, Monroe, LA.

Career

  • Served 25 years with the Florida Department of Corrections.

  • Elected to the Marion County School Board in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

  • Chairman of the Florida School Board Association Leadership Committee (2023–2024).

  • Vice Chair of the Florida School Board Association Advocacy Committee (2024–present).

Ministry Experience

  • Licensed to preach in 2003 at New Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Cecil Wilson.

  • Ordained in 2006 by the Second Bethlehem Baptist Association under the leadership of Dr. Fred Maeweathers, Moderator.

  • Pastor of Union Missionary Baptist Church, Dunnellon, FL (2006–2016).

  • Pastor of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Ocala, FL (2016–present).

  • Chaplain with the Inter-America Chaplains Association (2024–present).

Second Bethlehem Baptist Association (SBBA)

  • Assistant Director General (2007–2009).

  • Director General (2010–2012).

  • General Secretary (2012–2022).

  • President, Congress of Christian Education (2022–2024).

Florida General Baptist Convention (FGBCI)

  • 3rd Vice President, Congress of Christian Education (2017–2022).

  • 4th Vice President, Congress of Christian Education (2024–present).

National Baptist Convention USA (NBC USA)

  • Member of the Advisory Committee to the Sunday School Publishing Board.

Fraternal & Civic Leadership

  • Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Psi Chi Chapter); currently serves as Chapter Basileus.

  • Director of Religious Affairs, Marion County Branch NAACP.

  • Board Member, Transitions Life Center (TLC).

  • Member of the Estella Byrd Whitman Advisory Committee.

  • 32nd Degree Master Mason, Dunnellon Lodge.

  • Past Grand High Priest, Carter Royal Arch, State of Florida.

Community Honors

  • Inducted into the Marion County Black History Museum and Archives (2024).

  • Recipient of the Shiloh SDA-Good Samaritan Servant Leadership Award (2024).

  • Awarded the Community Service Superman Award (2023).

  • Named Omega Man of the Year (2018).

  • Recipient of numerous other honors, awards, and recognitions.