Meet Our Pastor

Since beginning his walk with the Lord in March of 1974, Pastor Edward Parker has spent an enormous amount of time gleaning and meditating on God’s Word through personal and group study.  In 1977, he responded to an even higher calling in the ministry and became a messenger of the Gospel. 

This calling led him to serve as an Assistant Pastor for the congregation of Hollywood Church of God in Christ in Fort Walton Beach, Florida  from 1985-1992. While serving overseas aboard RAF Lakenheath in England, God began to deal with him regarding “pastoring”.  In 1994, Pastor Parker accepted God’s pastoral call and upon his return to the US in May of 1995, he began shepherding the flock here at First Church of God in Christ.  In addition to the awards and honors Pastor Parker earned during his 26 years of military service and retiring in the grade of Senior Master Sergeant, his accomplishments in the service of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ include and are not limited to:

  • Beloved spiritual leader of 200+ First Church congregation.
  • Husband to First Lady Luay Parker, his loving and supportive wife of 45 years; father of 4 children and grandfather of 5 bundles of joy.
  • Project manager for First Church’s newly constructed facility with a 400-seat capacity sanctuary, 12 classrooms, and 250-seat capacity fellowship hall.
  • Active community leader serving as moderator of the North Okaloosa Pastors and Ministers’ Association and a member of the Crestview Ministerial Alliance.
  • Chairman of the Panama City District Pastors, providing assistance to the District Superintendent, scheduling district church quarterly meetings/services, organizing district budgets and, communicating with district pastors on behalf of the Superintendent.
  • Recently appointed by Bishop Gary L. Hall, Sr. as the Chairman of Central Florida’s First Jurisdiction Pastors and Elders’ Council.

With First Lady Luay by his side, Pastor Parker believes he  has found his place in God’s plan and is eagerly looking forward to finding where the Lord will take our church in the years to come!  There’s room at the Cross and First Church for YOU!