Leadership

Pastor Dedrick Dewayne O’Neal was born on October 11, 1979, and reared in Brighton, AL. Son  of Drs. Willie B. and Patricia A. O’Neal, he is the sixth child in a blended family of seven siblings: his belated sister, Triola Ellis Crawford; brother, Willie Ellis; sister, Tracy O’Neal Daniel; brother, William O’Neal; sister, Franchesca O’Neal; brother, JaCarlos O’Neal; and one special belated cousin, Patrick Fisher. 
Pastor Dedrick is the true definition of a “church baby.” Born and raised at Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church, he fondly remembers lying across his mother’s lap on the front pew while his father preached. He vividly recalls the sideways, shaky view of his father in the pulpit as his mother gently bounced him to sleep. He also remembers his older sister, Triola, caring for him like a second mother due to their parents’ heavy ministry responsibilities. 
From an early age, Dedrick was trained to play the drums, piano, and organ. He was captivated by Mt. Canaan’s musicians; pianist Constance Carson, organist Clarence Judkins, and drummer Arthur Lee Gaines. Each Sunday after service, he and his brother JaCarlos and their cousins rushed to the instruments to mimic what they had seen. Before long, they developed their own skills and grew into musicians who served faithfully in the ministry. 
Dedrick attended St. Aloysius Catholic School and later graduated from John Carroll Catholic High School in 1999. However, much of his true training came from home and church. He grew in wisdom and stature under the teachings of his parents and his youth pastor, his older brother, Pastor William O’Neal. Mt. Canaan’s youth ministry traveled throughout Birmingham participating in various youth events under the name YWV: Youth With a Vision, even writing and performing their own theme song at each gathering. 
As a young man, Pastor Dedrick experienced difficult growing pains as he explored the secular world and, in his words, made some unwise decisions. But the incorruptible seed planted in him from birth, coupled with the promise of Micah 7:8, “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I  
sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light”, began to take root. Slowly but surely, God transformed his life as he submitted to his parents’ spiritual authority and the leaders God placed in Mt. Canaan to guide his growth.
During the 2020 pandemic, Pastor Dedrick experienced the miracle that became the defining turning point in his life. After privately battling kidney disease and pleading with God for healing, he received a miraculous kidney transplant in October 2020, without ever having to undergo dialysis. 
Over the years, Pastor Dedrick has faithfully served Mt. Canaan in many capacities: Marketing Director, Youth Pastor, Minister of Music, Media Director, and Executive Director of Media, Music & Arts. In 2022, his parents installed him as Assistant Pastor of MCFGC; a timely decision given Senior Pastor O’Neal’s declining health. Pastor Dedrick became his father’s right hand and was encouraged by him to take a larger role in ministry decisions and operations.  Following the unexpected transition of his father, he was appointed to succeed him as the current Pastor of Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church, with his mother, Dr. Patricia A. O’Neal, serving as Overseer. 
God has equipped Pastor Dedrick for this season by blessing him with a beautiful, loving, and supportive wife. First Lady Kenya O’Neal stands faithfully by his side, working diligently for the success of the ministry. She also provides unwavering support at home as together they lead their beautifully blended family of eight children: Justin (Matisse) Johnson, Raelun O’Neal, Eric Johnson, Jr., Isaiah Tinker, Dadrien O’Neal, Kennedi Johnson, Jordan Johnson, and Evann O’Neal; and one grandchild, Saje Lela Johnson. 
Dr. O’Neal prepared his son for this moment, never missing an opportunity to share his vision and plans for the ministry. Now that he has gone on to be with the Lord, Pastor Dedrick vows to honor his father’s legacy by leading MCFGC to heights yet unknown. Together, he and Lady Kenya will uphold Dr. O’Neal’s vision for Mt. Canaan to remain a family church with a teaching ministry, reaching the world for Christ.

Sister Patricia O'Neal is a woman of virtue and Godly wisdom. She honors God and her family though her life. Sister O'Neal has served as Co-Pastor alongside her husband, Pastor Willie B. O'Neal for over 35 years.
Sister O'Neal was born to the late Jacob and Mary Bodley, raised in the Westfield community and later moved to Bessemer, Alabama. Due to the death of her mother, she was thrusted into the mother role for her siblings; which would define her ministry and personify her character. Having a holiness background, she was familiar with the move and promptings of God. Having left the church as a young adult, God united her back to Him through the union with her husband.
In 1980, Sister O'Neal rededicated her life back to Christ, receiving the precious Holy Spirit with the evidence of tongues and allowing Him to edify her knowledge and understanding of His word.

Tonya Melton joined the Executive Directors Team in 2019 and currently serves as Executive Facilitator. In this role, she assists with strategic planning, supports leadership development, and provides executive support to the Overseer and Pastor to help advance the ministry’s mission.
Tonya earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Oakwood University. She has served as a Healthcare Executive for 22 years and continues to impact her community through board service both locally in Birmingham and nationally. Her leadership extends to organizations such as Bridgeways, the Black Women’s Mental Health Institute (BWMHI), and the National Association of Health Services Executives (NAHSE).
She is married to her loving husband, Deacon Barry Melton, who has been a devoted member of Mt. Canaan for more than 15 years. Deacon Melton serves faithfully as an Executive Board Member, Deacon, and the Pastor’s Armor Bearer. As a distinguished military veteran, he served 34 years in the US Coast Guard and US Marine Corps and is a former Board Member of the 100 Black Men of America, Orange County, CA Chapter.
Together, Deacon and Sister Melton are extremely blessed with seven children and are honored to serve as leaders within the Mt. Canaan family.

Minister James and Elder Angela Brazzill have been members of Mt. Canaan since
2000. The Brazzill’s were appointed Directors of the Missions Department in 2003, and
later God opened the door for them to step into the role of Executive Directors of
Missions and Ministries. In this position they have the privilege of guiding mission
strategies, fostering partnerships with local homeless shelters, and non-profits while
supporting the Pastors vision in reaching the world for Christ. Their calling and desire to
champion the Gospel in both word and action has grown from simply serving , God, the
Pastor, and the People. They have been blessed to witness lives transformed, families
restored, communities uplifted and individuals awakened to God’s purpose for their
lives. The Brazzill’s continue to aim toward and produce excellence in all their ministerial
opportunities. One of their life scriptures is Psalm 27:4, One thing have I desired of the
Lord and that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord forever, and
their prayer is that God will keep shaping them into leaders who listens well, loves
deeply, and leads faithfully.

Anita Carlisle is the Executive Director of the Character Development Ministry which oversees the Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Couples, Singles, Young Adults, and Counseling Ministries of Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church.
For 48 years, she served as Executive Assistant to our Founding Pastor, Dr. Willie B. ONeal and is an active member of Mt. Canaan for over 48 years.
She serves on the Board of Directors of Mt. Canaan, Board of Directors of Canaanland Learning Enrichment Center, oversees Human Resources, Finance Department and wherever is deemed necessary.

The objective of the Character Development Ministry is to Build Character in the Men and Women of God through Teaching and Fellowship.
Pastors’ revelation from God, “You build the people and I will Build the Church", is our goal and purpose we use to Build Character, in stability, moral values, commitment, and integrity.

Anita is the youngest of five children, she has three adult children, two grandchildren and four-great grandchildren..
She studied Business Administration at Lawson State Community College and Miles College.

The Christian Education Ministry (CEM) is one of the core discipleship ministries of Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church. Its primary purpose is to provide meaningful opportunities for believers to grow and mature in God’s love, grace, knowledge, and faithful stewardship (to advance the Kingdom of God). Through intentional teaching, mentorship, discipleship, and stewardship studies, CEM fosters connection and spiritual growth, empowering believers to serve God and man effectively within their families, businesses, local and global communities.
Sis Cynthia Ward is a is a born-agin believer filled with the precious Holy Ghost since the early 1980s. She’s the 2nd born of 12 children parented by Albert and Ethel Ward. 
Appointed to this position in November 2023, Sis. Cynthia Ward serves with passion and purpose, grounded in the strong foundation and biblical principles instilled in her from an early age. A faithful member of Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church for over forty years, she serves as Executive Director of the Christian Education Ministry with a heart for developing leaders and equipping God’s people to grow in Christ and walk confidently as ambassadors of His Kingdom.
The scriptures found in 1 John 4:4 and Luke 4:18–19 continue to ground and encourage her as she faithfully serves both the ministry and the Kingdom of God.

Kenneth Cunningham was appointed Executive Director of Operations in September 2015. A dedicated member of Mount Canaan for more than 40 years, Kenneth provides leadership and oversight for several ministries within the Operations Department, including Ushers, Greeters, Culinary, Parking, Pastor’s Aide, Security, Transportation, Wedding Ministry, Hospitality, and Healthcare.

Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the Canaan Land Learning Enrichment Center. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sales and Marketing from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., he served his undergraduate chapter as both President and Treasurer.

As a successful entrepreneur, Kenneth’s passion is rooted in serving others, both professionally and spiritually. He has been happily married to his wife, Abijah, since 2007, and together they are the proud parents of two wonderful children, Kaleb and Addison.

Kenneth considers it a great honor to serve as Executive Director of Operations and to collaborate with an exceptional team of leaders and volunteers.

Carolyn Robertson serves as the Executive Director of Church Administration.
Before being appointed to this position, Carolyn served in various roles,
including Christian Education Director, Training and Development Coordinator,
and Coordinator of Pastor’s Aid. Carolyn has been a devoted member of Mt.
Canaan for over 30 years. She provides leadership and oversight of the church
office's daily operations. Her responsibilities include managing office staff,
personnel, and payroll time management, database administration, facilities,
space planning management, and 501 (c) (3) research and grants. She also serves
as a resource person regarding some insurance, legal, and property acquisition
matters within the church.
Beyond her service at Mt. Canaan, Carolyn has contributed her expertise to
community organizations, professional and school boards, including Lawson
State Community College, Advisory Board, The Academy of Fine Arts, Inc., Board
Member, the Birmingham Area Chamber of Commerce Minority Business Council,
Member, the Private Industry Council (PIC), Board Member, and the Association
for Counselor Education and Supervision, Member.
She holds a degree in Economics and Business Management with a minor in
Urban Planning from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a Master's in
Counseling from Alabama State University. Carolyn also earned a Certificate in
Lay Counseling through Mt. Canaan Full Gospel Church in partnership with
Birmingham Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a Doctor of
Philosophy degree in Christian Counseling.
Carolyn believes that all her previous business training and secular and Christian
experience was merely preparation for being part of God’s Plan at Mt. Canaan.