Pastor Anthony Murray was born in Pittsburgh, PA and is one of ten children. He attended Hardy Bible School and the Center for Urban Biblical Ministry of Geneva College. He has attended the Copp School, instituted by the Tennessee Sunday School Publishing Board, to become certified to teach. Pastor Murray has received his certification to teach at the COPP School for the Allegheny Union Baptist Association. He has also increased his learning by attending the Progressive Baptist National Convention which holds minister' seminar classes in Christian leadership, as well as, the Hampton Baptist Ministers' Conference, and attended the American Baptist College where he is continuing to study to show thyself approved unto God. He is currently going on his 23rd year of pastoring the Hopewell Baptist Church of Jeannette, PA.
In 1979 Pastor Murray accepted Christ as his savior and was baptized at St. John the Evangelist Baptist Church in Hazelwood, PA, by his father in the ministry, Rev. Alvin Coon. Throughout his tenure of 24 years at St. John the Evangelist, he served as a member of the Angelic choir, the senior usher board, the trustee board and as a Sunday School teacher. Pastor Murray was also the Sunday School superintendent and was ordained as a deacon May 17, 1987.
Pastor Murray received his call to preach the Word of God in April 1997. He served as associate minister to Rev. Alvin Coon for four and a half years until August 24, 2001. It was at that time that he was called to be the Shepherd of Hopewell Baptist Church. Rev. Murray was installed as pastor of Hopewell Baptist Church on October 28, 2001. Some of the blessings received at Hopewell under his leadership include: new carpet in the sanctuary, installation of a handicap ramp - 2002, new ministries, ordination of three deacons- 2003. Pastor Murray has also licensed three associate ministers, installation of new windows in the sanctuary and purchase of a brand new 15 passenger van which Hopewell now owns. On September 6, 2003, 15 areas churches gathered together and celebrated Jeannette's first block party fellowship under his leadership in the blessed years of 2011 and 2012. Hopewell Baptist Church was blessed with the remodeling of the entire sanctuary which included new flooring, carpeting and fresh plastered and painted sanctuary along with new pulpit and pew furniture. In the year 0f 2019, under our Pastor's leadership, a new ceiling was installed in the sanctuary and the church received new ceiling tiles in dining area downstairs. Also the sanctuary was repainted. In the Year of 20212 under the Pastoring of Pastor Murray Gutters and don spouts were replaced around outside of Church. In the Year of 2023, the outside of the church was painted and water proofed. Pastor Murray continues to be "A man on the move for God". As he continues to build up God's people into spiritual maturity, in the faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pastor Murray is determine, to keep the vision of God alive, as well as, God's purpose and God's plan. Until it becomes relevant, and God fulfills His promise.
In the year of 2002, Pastor Murray was elected as president of the Westmoreland Ministerial Alliance. God has blessed Pastor Murray to also be the president of the Jeannette Ministerial Alliance. Pastor Murray was also the vice president of the Lower Monongahela Area clergy, for the Allegheny Union Baptist Association. In November of 2009, Pastor Murray was elected as the Lower Monongahela Area Vice Moderator of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association. On July 24th of 2014, Pastor Murray was elected as Vice Moderator at Large of the entire Allegheny Union Baptist Association. God continues to use the man of God for His glory. In the year of 2019, as well as currently, Pastor Murray is holding the office of president, of the Jeannette Ministerial Alliance. In the Year of 2024 Pastor Murray started an network of community organizations, working with the Jeannette Ministerial Alliance to better meet the community needs of the people in need. Pastor Murray also works with the Jeannette Business Association, to help meet the needs of the community of Jeannette. Pastor Murray is also working in his own community of Hazelwood in trying to bring an much needed grocery store to the community. Pastor Murray is also working with other community organizations in Hazelwood to better help his community. Pastor Murray is being Faithful to God and the calling, that has been placed on his life.
Pastor Murray is married to a wonderful and loving, woman of God, Minister Karen Murray. They were blessed with five beautiful daughters: Antoinette, Adrienne, Angela, Ashley, and Alisha; and five grandsons.
