Our Leadership Team
Meet the leadership team of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church
Senior Pastor
A retired Sergeant Major of the United States Marine Corps, James E. Moore has served the Sheldon Township Community for more than 30 years as Senior Pastor of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church and a community leader.
He serves as the National Chaplain for the Montford Point Marine Association; member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Beaufort, South Carolina and Chairman of the Sheldon Township Community Support Partnership. Pastor Moore is eager and excited to lead the next phase of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Ministry.
Assistant Pastor
Michael Leonard Ricks was born April 2nd in Tuskegee, Alabama to Cleotis and Jesse Ricks. The second eldest of four children, Michael gained an early attitude of serving and protecting others. He entered the Alabama National Guard at the age of 17.
After graduating from high school, Michael attended Georgia Military College. After college Michael was commissioned a second lieutenant and was assigned to the Military Police in the Guard. He served over 20 years in the United States Army Reserve, having many assignments to include commander of a military police detachment. Michael has also served as Chief of Police in the Tuskegee Police Department, Tuskegee, Alabama for 21⁄2 years and the Chief of Police in Moss Point, Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Criminal Justice during that time.
He is currently the Director of Criminal Justice at the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL), Chair of the Safety, Health and Business Continuity Committee and Adjunct Criminal Justice professor at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina and is pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Political Science/Homeland Security at Capella University.
Michael’s greatest enjoyment is serving the Lord. He has completed Lay Ministry training and is active in youth/student counseling for his many students, church youth and fellow teachers. A very good listener and gentle giant, Michael has been an effective arbitrator for many faculty and leadership functions. Michael has served as a Deacon of Mt. Carmel and in January 2018 he was licensed and added to the Ministerial staff. He was later appointed Youth Minister in February, and thereafter as Assistant Pastor.
Michael is married to Alesia and they have three children: Ryan, Michael II, and Michalle.
Youth Pastor
Pastor Ramon Karney was raised in Detroit, Michigan and received his early education in the Detroit Public Schools, graduating from Thomas M. Cooley High School. Shortly after high school he joined the United States Marine Corps where he served on active duty for 21 years and retired in 2021.
Pastor Karney accepted Christ at a young age. Being blessed with the gift of music, he began playing the drums and piano in church. As a musician he has traveled to many worship centers and arenas around the country, accompanying some of the gospel industry’s leading artist. But his true passion is preaching and teaching the word of God.
He is relentless in his community involvement including serving on numerous boards and project groups. He served as the Assistant Pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Seabrook, South Carolina under the leadership of Senior Pastor James E. Moore. He was also the Assistant General Manager of the lowcountry’s hit gospel radio station WVGB 94.5 Praise. He currently serves as the Youth Pastor for Mount Carmel Baptist Church. He is passionate about the development of our youth and providing them a superior education for a bright future.
Pastor Karney holds an Associate in Christian Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
He is married to LaTosha Karney and they have two children, daughter Kandyce and son DaSean.
Chairman Deacon
George W. Dawson is a proud native of Beaufort, South Carolina, and a graduate of Robert Smalls High School. He is the devoted husband of Julia Dawson and the proud father of five children. A United States veteran, George served his country honorably in Korea and Vietnam.
Equally important to him is his dedicated service within his community. He has faithfully served alongside the men and women of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where he holds the position of Chairman of the Deacons Ministry. In addition to his church leadership, George Dawson also contributes his skills at 94.5 Praise, where he works in the Finance Department, helping ensure smooth and accurate financial operations.