Georges J Fleurimond

It all started when 14 souls accepted Christ during a tent crusade on the corner of Fletcher Ave and 20th Street in Tampa, Florida. Some of the founding members were Mary Reynolds, William Perks, Melrose Doyle, Iris McDonald, Learlene Robinson, Debbie Tyler, Blossie Gordon , Michael Brinley, and Brother and Sister Livingston. Under the leadership of Pastor Larry Johnson, and with the assistance of members of the Progress Village SDA Church a plan for a church was formulated in August 1995.

The Fletcher Ave SDA Church was born when a storefront was obtained at 1515 East Fletcher Ave in the area commonly known as ‘Suitcase City’. The little church grew through divine inspiration. The Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventist voted to have Pastor Ceasar Robinson assist the growing congregation. In March 1996, the USF Episcopal Church became the new worship site for the congregation, and the harmonious hymns of adoration transformed the center.

While worshiping on the USF Campus, the Fletcher Ave SDA Church was renamed the First University SDA Church. First University commonly known as “1U” was a powerful congregation that had community service, personal ministries, and even a literature evangelist training course. On November 30, 1996, the church gained official recognition as the 114th congregation of the Southeastern Conference.

In February 2003, the youth filled congregation purchased a property at 1910,1912 and 1914 East 139th Ave. The church continued the mission of the founding members by serving ‘Suitcase City’ area. On August 24th 2007, the church purchased its current location while under the leadership of Pastor Shimon Taylor.

Pastors:

• Pastor Ceasar Robinson Served 1995 – 1997
• Pastor Larry Johnson Served 1995 – 1998
• Pastor Claude Matthew Served 1998 – 2000
• Pastor Curtis Powell Served 1998 – 2000
• Pastor Lesly Jacques Served 2000 – 2005
• Pastor Shimon Taylor Served 2005 – 2011
• Pastor Anslem Paul Served 2011 – 2014
• Pastor Romel Charles Served 2014 – 2019
• Pastor Byron Wells Served 2019 – 2022
• Pastor Georges J Fleurimond Served 2023 – Present

Pastor George Job Fleurimond lives by the motto, “We must ASPIRE to INSPIRE before we EXPIRE!”  He was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and raised in Florida. As the proud product of Christian education, Pastor Fleurimond attended Miami Union Academy, Oakwood University, and Andrews University. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Ministry with an emphasis on Strategic Leadership for the Black Congregation. 

Georges contends that his greatest accomplishment was marrying the love of his life, Sonja MIchelle Allison Artis of Brooklyn, New York on December 2, 2012. Sonja is a gifted and glamorous woman of God who also graduated from Oakwood University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and a Master’s in Medical Sciences from the University of South Florida. Together, they have been blessed with two energetic, handsome boys– Louis Georges and Lucas Grey. 

Elder Ovett O. Wilson was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica and, from the age of 10, raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After high school, Mr. Wilson attended The University of South Florida where he not only met his beautiful wife, Adrianne, but he also excelled in Language Arts and earned his Bachelor’s in Education, and eventually, a master’s in Educational Leadership, as well as an ED.S in Educational Leadership.

Mr. Wilson began his career in the inner-city schools of Tampa earning accolades of Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and the Ida S. Baker Teacher award. He also developed a passion to train teachers before his first assistant principal appointment in 2006. Throughout his career, Mr. Wilson stepped into critical leadership roles and is currently the proud principal of Pizzo K-8. 

Mr. Wilson’s greatest desire above all is to teach about the amazing love of God and to love his family. Adrianne and Ovett have been married since 2007 and have two incredible sons– Jadon and Josiah.