Salvation to the Underdog

About the Book

Pastor Oscar L. Montgomery, Sr.. tenderly shares how God through faith, community, and education liberated young Montgomery from the perils and pitfalls of abandonment and poverty in Cross the Creek, Alabama and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Despite the rejection and the lack that plagued his childhood, Montgomery has risen to become one of the most influential community leaders and one of the South most respected Christian pastors.

About the Author

Born in Chapman, Alabama, the Reverend Dr. Oscar L. Montgomery carried with him through elementary and high school a vision that would later shape his future. Dr. Montgomery earned the following degrees: doctor of ministry, Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana, Pastoral Ministries; doctor of philosophy and master of science degrees, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, Soil Genesis, Mineralogy, Classification and Remote Sensing; and a bachelor of science degree from Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, Alabama, Agronomy/Chemistry. In 1976, Dr. Montgomery returned to Alabama A&M University (AAMU). During his twenty-two-year tenure at AAMU, Dr. Montgomery has amassed an extensive background as a researcher and administrator, serving in various positions as professor, lecturer, researcher, and administrator. Dr. Montgomery has held several administrative positions with the university, such as director of external affairs, executive assistant to the president for institutional advancement and development, director of grants and contracts, vice president for student affairs, and vice president of research and development. For the past forty-seven years, Dr. Montgomery has served as pastor of the Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. During this time, the Union Hill Church fellowship has grown from a congregation of less than sixty to more than nine hundred members. Along with the specified duties of a pastor, he led the development of an on-site church-sponsored tutorial service for elementary, middle, and high school students in the Huntsville community. He also introduced innovations in Union Hill’s Christian education ministry. In 1989, following God’s vision for the Union Hill congregation, Dr. Montgomery successfully led the church to construct a Christian Worship and Educational Facility at the cost of approximately $2 million. In 1997, he led the congregation in the construction of a $2.5 million Community Life Center for the purpose of ministry to the Huntsville community. The Community Life Center offers services such as a full-time day care, meeting rooms, fitness center, and a variety of recreational activities. Dr. Montgomery has also led the Union Hill Church family in reaching out to its community through several different programs. The Operation Nehemiah Quality of Life Program is a well-known alternative approach to drugs, gang, violence, teenage pregnancy, and illiteracy among youth; Dr. Montgomery conceived, developed, and implemented the program. The church also offers ACT preparation and tutorial services. Dr. Montgomery is the founder, president, and CEO of the Union Hill Personal Growth Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that focuses on meeting the social, physical, psychological, educational, and emotional needs of the community without regard to sex, race, age, or impairment. Dr. Montgomery is well known for his many religious, civic, and community affiliations. He is past president of the Greater Huntsville Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship, moderator of the Flint River and Running Water Primitive Baptist Association, and vice president for the Southern Region of the National Primitive Baptist Convention. He has served as leader and giver in organizations such as the Rural Senior Services, United Way, Harris Home, Downtown Rescue Mission, YMCA, the Community Free Clinic, American Red Cross, and Healthy Community. He is a member numerous professional, civic, fraternal, and honorary associations: Leadership Alabama Class X, Greater Huntsville Rotary Club, the NAACP of Huntsville, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, and Beta Kappa Chi and Sigma Xi Honor Societies. Some of his present and past affiliations include Huntsville Leadership 2000, Alabama Leadership, Huntsville Public Building Authority, and the Faith and Neighborhood Committee. At the top of Dr. Montgomery’s credits and accomplishments lies the love of his wife, the former Alfredia L. Marshall, and their five children: Paula, Renita, Christa, and Oscar Jr. Dr. Montgomery is very proud of his family and cherishes the support they have shown him in all of his endeavors. Dr. Montgomery’s philosophy of life is “Everyone has a purpose in life, and life is not fulfilled until we find that purpose.” Dr. Oscar L. Montgomery is a man who knows his purpose in life. Knowing his purpose in life has been fulfilling to him, and it has also served to help others.