Pastor Arthur A. Sutton
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5 ESV)
Pastor Arthur A. Sutton a native of Jackson, Mississippi is the youngest child of the late Rev. Jesse Sutton Jr. and the late Missionary Evangelist Della K. Sutton. Pastor Sutton comes from a direct line of ministers, following his great grandfather, grandfather, and father.
Having answered his calling and receiving his mandate from God, Pastor Sutton, started his ministry in March 1994, as an Associate Minister at New McRaven Hill Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, under the leadership of his father, the late Rev. Jesse Sutton, Jr. He pastored at St. Matthew M. B. Church in Flowood, Mississippi, and New Concord M. B. Church near Bentonia, MS., prior to accepting his calling as Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi in May 1999. Pastor Sutton is a powerful preacher, a man with extraordinary vision and leadership ability, totally committed to the work of God. Under his leadership Progressive Missionary Baptist Church has reached new heights and has become a solid pillar in the Georgetown Community through service and ministry. Progressive Missionary Baptist church continues to prosper under Pastor Sutton’s leadership. Progressive has seen the equipping of members to become servants and dedicated to ministering to those in need, an increase in membership, financial stability, the acquisition of property surrounding the church for additional parking space, the adoption of Mary C Johnson Elementary School, Callaway High School, and Lanier High School and the ordaining of Associate Ministers and licensing of Evangelists. There are eight Evangelists and ten Associate Ministers; six of the Associate Ministers are pastors. Pastor Sutton’s vision and leadership abilities expand beyond Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. He has held and continues to hold positions at the state level as well as at the national level of the National Baptist Convention, USA, INC. For over seventeen years, he served as the Executive Director for the General Missionary Baptist State Convention Young People’s Department. Currently, he serves as a board member of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention and the Southwest Regional Young People’s Department; is newly appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Baptist Convention USA, INC; is financial treasurer for the Jackson District Association; is Vice President at Large for the Youth and Young Adult Auxiliary of the National Baptist Convention, USA, INC. and is the Director General of the Congress of Christian Education for the General Missionary State Baptist Convention. Pastor Sutton has engaged in classes through the National Baptist Convention USA, INC Jackson Area C.O.P.P. Program, the National Baptist Congress, and the National Baptist Convention and is a certified teacher of the Jackson District Congress of Christian Education and lecturer for the National Baptist Young People’s Department and the Southwest Region. Active in community and civic organizations, Pastor Sutton is on the Board of Pioneer Ministries in Pearl Mississippi, is a member of the NAACP, SCLC, One Hundred Concerned Clergy, the Hinds County Women's Institute, and the Hinds County Adjoining Institute of Hinds and Madison counties and a former member of the Jackson Civil Service Commission. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Pastor Sutton received community recognition with the Gospel Music Pastor of the Year Award and the Phi Beta Sigma Religious Leader of the Year Award. Pastor Sutton is a graduate of Forest Hill in Jackson, Mississippi. He continued his education at Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. At Jackson State University he played on the Football Team. Currently he is employed as the Drop-out Prevention and Transition Coordinator with Jackson Public School System. Pastor Sutton is a member of Fairfield Baptist Church under the leadership of his brother, Rev. Frank L. Sutton. Pastor Sutton is married to the former Vonnie R. Gentry of Jackson, Mississippi. They are the proud parents of three beautiful daughters: Brittani Shavon Keaton, Ashli Nicole Sutton, and Courtni Artrice Sutton; one grandson, Kohen Brice Keaton and one son-in-law, Coach Teddy Keaton. Pastor Sutton believes that all his accomplishments are possible by trusting in the Lord. One of his favorite scriptures is “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy path.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6).
THE PRESENT PASTOR OF PROGRESSIVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH REV. ARTHUR A. SUTTON APPOINTED, ANOINTED AND ACCESSIBLE Beginning in 1999, with the appointment of Rev. Arthur A. Sutton as Pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, God has shown favor in this pastor and growing congregation. Pastor Sutton has humbly worked to create a progressive church on Powers Avenue that is characteristic of its name. His vision is farseeing ("Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard"). His approach is direct. His goal is holistic - to minister to all the needs of the members of the congregation. His tenure at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church has been and is a journey. On this almost twenty-five (25) years journey, Pastor Sutton has: + Ordained (8) ministers • Rev. Michael Robinson (deceased) • Rev. Eric Rhodes • Rev. Lamar Boone • Rev. Kevin Jones • Rev. Curtis Brister • Rev. Jeffery Dotson • Rev. James Griffith • Rev. Ralph James + Licensed one evangelist • Evangelist Kellye Gray As of 2023 he has licensed 8 Evangelist + Crowned nine (9) deacons + In 2009 the Educational Facility was completed. + Received one thousand (1,000) new members to the church. In 2012, ninety-three (93) new members were added and twenty-three (23) were baptized Added an 8 00 am Worship Service to provide two (2) Worship Services for a growing congregation. + Made accomplishments for the betterment of the church • The Sanctuary was remodeled and renovated. • The Church Cornerstone was laid. • The Inspirational Choir was re-organized, and the Combined Choir was added. • The burning of the mortgage for the L H. Newsome Education Facility & Fellowship Hall • The main parking lot was paved, and an additional parking lot was added across the street • The purchase and erection of the Church Marquee sign • The purchase and installation of new heating and cooling units • The establishment of the Golfing with God Ministry and the annual Golf Tournament to support the scholarship fund • The purchase of a church van • The purchase of rental property and additional land for a third parking lot + Organized several active ministries to meet the spiritual, mental, social and health needs of the youth, adults and seniors of the church including: • Singles/Couples Ministry • Women With Purpose • Media Ministry • Greeters' Ministry • Alcohol & Drug Ministry • Health and Wellness Ministry • Hands of Hope Ministry • A thriving youth ministry, Y.E.S, (Youth Encouraged to Serve) that includes a youth choir, youth ushers, the "Anointed Angels" Dance Ministry, Tuesday night Bible study and a summer enrichment reading program. + Established annual activities and events that promote the church theme "Let Love Abide" and bring the congregation together for food, festivities & fellowship. • Annual Valentine Social • Annual Spring Fling (Youth) • Community Participation Day (Annual Church Picnic) • Annual Church Trip + In 2013 • 23 Completed orientations • 79 New members • 27 Baptisms • 5 Members passed away • Purchased additional property that will provide a 4th parking lot • Adult Dance Ministry started + In 2014 • 25 Completed orientations • 95 New members • 35 Baptisms • 3 Members passed away • 2 Associate Ministers • Purchased another piece of property across the street for parking • Golf Cart donated to the Church for Security + In 2015 • 25 Completed orientations • 89 New members • 18 Baptisms • 3 Members passed away + In 2016 • 45 Completed orientations • 90 New members • 20 Baptisms • 7 Members passed away • Boy Scout and EmpowerHer Ministry • Purchased Property on Woodrow Wilson • Purchased 28 passenger bus • Adopted Johnson Elementary and Lanier High School • First Summer Feeding Program + In 2017 • 15 Completed Orientations • 65 New Members • 20 Baptized • 5 Members Passed Away • Girl Scouts Organized • Media Ministry • Five Sons of the House Pastoring Rev. James Griffith – Moss Chapel M.B. Church Rev. John Blount – Paige Grove M.B. Church Rev. Lamar Boon – New Hope M.B. Church Dr. Casey Fisher – Greater Grove M.B. Church Rev. Ralph James – Mt. Moriah M.B. Church