MMBB News & Notes: Spotlight on Rev. Dr. Alonzo Patterson, Jr. at 88

Rev. Alonzo Patterson, Jr.
Coordinator of Alaska Ministries for American
Baptist Home Mission Societies
At 88 years old, the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Patterson, Jr. reflects
on a life defined by unwavering faith, tireless service,
and a passion for growing God’s Kingdom. “I’m still
driven by my initial calling into the ministry and the
opportunity to serve the Kingdom,” Rev. Patterson said
with quiet conviction.
Born in New Orleans in 1937, Rev. Patterson felt the
Lord’s call at the age of 12 while attending Sunday
School at Greater Bethel Baptist Church. At 18, he
married his first wife, Shirley, and joined the military.
Together, they traveled around the country, engaging
in missionary work with churches such as Trinity
Missionary Baptist House in Honolulu, Hawaii, before
settling in Alaska in 1962.
Stationed in Fairbanks, Rev. Patterson retired from
the military in 1966. He then founded and served as
pastor of Corinthians Baptist Church in Fairbanks, the
first of many ministries he would lead. “When I first
came to Alaska there were three ABCUSA churches,”
he recalled. “Now they’re located in several cities and
thriving.”
Building Shiloh and Beyond
In November 1970, Rev. Patterson became the pastor
of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (SMBC) in
Anchorage, where he would serve for the next 47 years.
When Anchorage’s downtown expansion forced Shiloh
to relocate in 1974, Rev. Patterson led the groundbreaking
for its current home on 20th Avenue. He didn’t stop
there, Shiloh grew to include an educational wing, a
youth and family support center and the Martin Luther
King Jr. Family Life Center.
Shirley, Rev. Patterson’s first wife, served alongside
him. Though not formally ordained, he insisted she
was a minister in her own right. “She ministered to the
people. Shirley helped children go to college and took
care of soldiers,” he said. “Wherever we were located
we went about the mission of expanding the Kingdom.”
Shirley went home to the Lord in October 2022.
Two years ago, Rev. Patterson remarried. His second
wife, the Rev. Edwenia Brown Patterson, is also
affiliated with ABCUSA and former Executive Minister
of SMBC.
“We met and chose to be partners,” he explained. “She
is as equally fabulous as Shirley. I must admit she is a
great preacher. Some people don’t always take to
women preachers, but they need to learn to do so.”
Shiloh’s growth was only part of Rev. Patterson’s vision.
His commitment to ministry extended far beyond the
walls of the church, shaping leaders and building
communities across Alaska. That passion for developing
others would define the next chapter of his life.
Mentor, Builder, Visionary
After retiring in 2017, Rev Paterson was named Pastor
Emeritus of Shiloh Baptist Church.
He continues his work as coordinator of Alaska
Ministries for American Baptist Home Mission Societies
(ABHMS), a role he has held since 1996. Rev. Patterson
oversees mission development and general administration
in Alaska, supports pastors and works to develop and
“I’m still driven by my initial
calling into the ministry
and the opportunity
to serve the Kingdom.”
train new leadership for mission and ministry. Under
his pastorate, Rev. Patterson licensed and ordained
more than 57 pastors, 80 deacons and deaconesses and
mentored hundreds of others.
“Pastor to pastor, I minister to the churches I have
planted,” he noted. “I help ministers pursue education
and training, guiding them toward fulfillment in
ministry.”
Mentoring is how Rev. Patterson plans to spend the
rest of his days until the Lord calls him Home. “It’s
been a joy,” he disclosed. “I love the program.”
Rev. Patterson also ministers to Native bush
communities by sharing the Gospel while supporting
their way of life through fishing, sustainable use of
natural resources, and teaching essential survival
skills for living in Alaska.
Community Impact
Beyond the pulpit, Rev. Patterson founded Shiloh
Community Development, Inc., a non-profit organization
that provides mentoring, education, and other services
to disadvantaged youth in Anchorage. He also launched
Bridge Builders and Young Lions of America, a youth
mentoring program.
His leadership extended to roles such as chairperson
of the Alaskan State Board of Parole, chair of the Martin
Luther Jr. Foundation of Alaska, the Alaska Black
Leadership Conference, and the Greatland State Baptist
Convention. In addition, he served as president of the
board of directors for Shiloh Community Development,
Inc. and director of Alaska Ministries for the Alaska
Baptist Churches.
Rev. Patterson earned a B.A. degree in psychology from
the University of Alaska, Anchorage and a D. Div. from
the American Bible Institute, Kansas. Other recognitions
include a center named in his honor in 2015 and U.S.
Senator Dan Sullivan naming a week after him in
October 2017.
Words of Wisdom for Young Pastors
After decades in ministry, Rev. Patterson has learned
that success isn’t measured by numbers or appearance.
It’s rooted in faith, family, and authenticity. His advice
to young pastors reflects the wisdom of a lifetime spent
serving God and guiding others.
• Family is your greatest strength. Build on it,
especially in a remote area where connections are
limited.
• Stay grounded in sound theology.
• Don’t forget to be human. Ministry isn’t always neat.
It’s real and that’s where it matters.
• Minister for success, not appearances. Even if your
congregation is small, build on what you have.
Anchored in Alaska
Anchorage has changed significantly since 1962, he
said, from the skyline to attitudes about social issues,
family roles, and race.
“When I first came to Alaska there were three ABCUSA
churches,” he reported. “Now they’re located in several
cities and thriving. Still sometimes the churches can’t
survive because we lack population. Juno is the capital
of Alaska, but still relatively small in terms of
population.”
Rev. Patterson doesn’t plan to ever leave Alaska. “It’s
beautiful here, even in the winter,” he said. “After being
here for a while you adjust to the weather. I was raised
in Mississippi and Louisiana. All I can say is you can
put on enough clothes to keep warm, but you can’t take
enough off to be cool.” He laughed.
Rev. Dr. Alonzo Patterson, Jr.’s life is a testament to
what unwavering faith and dedicated service can
accomplish. His legacy is one of faith, resilience, and
vision, a beacon for those who seek to serve with
purpose.
“I walked with God throughout the years. He brought
me to this place. I want to serve here until the Lord
takes me home,” he declared. And in those words, we
find the heart of his story: a life lived for God, for people,
and for the Kingdom.
“... success isn’t measured by
numbers or appearance. It’s rooted
in faith, family, and authenticity.”