Rev. Ankoma D. Anderson, Sr., Ph.D

Rev. Dr. Ankoma D. Anderson, Sr, a native of Greenwood, South Carolina, is the son of Gregory and Cynthia Anderson. Pastor Anderson attended the public schools of Greenwood County School District 50, where he graduated with honors from Emerald High School in 2005. He continued his education at Lander University, where he became the first student to receive funding from NASA to conduct laboratory research.

Upon graduating from Lander in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Rev. Anderson continued his academic career by pursing a PhD in Chemistry from Clemson University. Throughout his doctoral studies, he conducted extensive scientific research, which has been featured in several peer reviewed journals. He has also served as a lecturer at Clemson University, an Adjunct Chemistry Professor at the University of South Carolina Upstate, Lander University, and currently serves as a Professor at Anderson University.

After receiving and acknowledging the call to ministry, Rev. Anderson was licensed to preach at age 21. At age 25, he was ordained and shortly thereafter was installed as Pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church of Greenwood, South Carolina. Dr. Anderson further sought seminary education at the M. Christopher White School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University and graduated with a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling. As an extension of his studies, Rev. Anderson has conducted theological study tours throughout Israel and North Africa. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Anderson is continuing his education even further by completing a second doctoral degree. Dr. Anderson is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Community Development and Organization at the Interdenominational Theological Center at Morehouse School of Religion.

Additionally, Dr. Anderson has served the community through his work with various non-profit organizations. He served as the founder and chairman of the Westside Community Development Center Inc. (Greenwood, SC), an organization that specializes in exposing youth to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He helped the organization acquire over $100,000 in grants. Dr. Anderson also was the first African American and youngest member to serve on the board of trustees for the Self Family Foundation. Rev. Anderson is currently the president of the Anderson County Ministerial Organization and oversees Anderson County's Martin Luther King Day United Negro College Fund fundraiser and other community outreach programs. In 2018, he was honored by Anderson County United Way's African American Leadership Society by being awarded the Emerging Leader Community Award.

Pastor Anderson was led of the Lord to serve at Welfare Baptist Church in 2016. He is married to the former Jeannie M. Smith and the proud father of two children, a son, Ankoma D. Anderson Jr. (KJ), and a daughter, Kirsten D. Anderson. He and his family reside in Simpsonville, SC along with their dog, Leo.