Our Founder: Pastor E. L. Burnside

 

Over 50 years ago the Lord spoke to the heart of a man telling him to preach the Gospel. That man was Rev. Earnest L. Burnside.

 

Ernest L. Burnside, a native of Huntsville, Texas, was born on July 13, 1927. After the death of his mother at the early age of four, he was reared by his grandparents, the late Anderson and Mary Randall of Huntsville, Texas.

 

Rev. Burnside was converted in Huntsville, Texas (Walker County), in the early 1930's in a community called Galilee at Williams Chapel (now Central Baptist Church). He moved to Houston, Texas during his teenage years. He attended Booker T. Washington High School and continued his education in ministry. He later joined Second Corinth Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. A.L. Foster, where he was the Sunday School Superintendent and ordained as a Deacon under Rev. Foster. He later moved his membership to Trinity Rest Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Levitt, where he was called to preach the word of God. Rev. Burnside's first sermon was titled, "What Did You Come Out Here For?"

 

In 1965, Rev. Burnside & Deacon C. Sancho organized the Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church at 3734 Nathaniel Brown, Houston, Texas. The Organizing Service was held in August of that year and officiated by Rev. Leverett of Trinity Rest Missionary Baptist Church. At that time, there were four members: Sis. G. Burnside, Deacon C. Sancho, Sr. (Clerk), Sis. M. Houston (Secretary), and Deacon J. Houston (Treasurer).

 

Under Pastor Burnside's leadership, the Mt. Carmel MBC family continuously grew, requiring one sanctuary expansion in 1980, then the construction of an entirely new edifice in 1991, which serves as our current sanctuary.

 

Rev. E.L. Burnside was the honorable Pastor and Founder of the Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church for 48 years. His illness did not permit him to continue pastoring, but he continued to serve as the Senior Pastor until he was called to his eternal home on January 25, 2013. He had the strength to endure the storms, patience to wait for the fruits of his labor and passion to be the man of wisdom for whom God nurtured. Rev. Burnside is well known as being a humble servant, leader, preacher and teacher of God's word.