Pastor Brian D. Hunter
Though Hunter has a diverse gift mix, teaching is one of his dominant gifts. He has used this gift to instruct elementary students and equip seminary students alike. He held a teaching post at the Sacramento Bible College and Seminary – Stockton Extension for five years, where he also received Teacher of the Year honors four years running. Hunter has also taught at Vision University International and Oakland Bible College, where he has taught subjects such as Christian Ethics, Homiletics, and Contemporary Apologetics. Currently, he is an instructor at the Leadership Institute at Allen Temple. He is also a certified Church Planter/Pastors Coach with Converge PacWest. He continues to be sought after for conferences and seminars.
In 1999, at the tender age of 29, he was called to pastor the historic Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the city of West Oakland, Ca. He served there faithfully for seven fruitful years. In 2007 he was called to the Berkeley Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he currently serves with joy. Pastor Hunter and the Berkeley Mt. Zion family believe that God has called them as pastor and people to Empower the People of God by doing Ministry Beyond Sunday Morning.
He has earned his Bachelor of Theology from Sacramento Bible College and Seminary and earned his Master of Practical Theology from Winebrenner Seminary. He is a doctoral candidate at Talbot Theological Seminary. He continues to be mentored and equipped by some of the best the marketplace and body of Christ has to offer.
Pastor Hunter’s ministry has been highlighted in the Oakland Tribune, Berkeley Tri-City Post, Oakland Post, Urban View, as well as National Public Radio. He has been the subject of two film documentaries: The Reverend and the Loft King and Nehemiah. He is the proud author of Illustrations That Connect and the Transformation Planner.
Hunter is married to Sis. Lori Broom–Hunter, and the proud father of Imanni, Joseph, Imarra, and Imannul. His life’s call is to guide the restoration and transformational process by bridging the gap between the person one has become and the person they are created and destined to be through transformational content and transformational coaching.
Practical, thought provoking, relevant, and even humorous describe the ministry of Rev. Brian D. Hunter.
Though many would describe his personal persona as quiet and reserved, he catches “fire” as he operates in his area of gifting and passion. For over 25 years, he has devoted his life to empowering and equipping people to thrive.
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, he is proud to be part of a rich spiritual legacy. Hunter is a third-generation preacher in his family. His grandfather, the late Supt. Lavell Thompson and father, the late Elder Howard Earl Hunter, were both instrumental in Hunter’s spiritual development.
He began preaching in 1989 and was licensed at the True Worshippers of God Baptist Church in Gardena, California, under the leadership of Pastor Willie L. Radcliff.
He has served and equipped the body of Christ in several capacities. He served two years as the President of the California State Baptist Youth Convention, which is the largest youth convention in the state of California. He was responsible for developing and overseeing the spiritual and educational programs for young people in over 80 churches. He served five years as the Youth Minister of the Berkeley Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. M.T. Thompson, where he was also ordained in 1995.
