Our Pastor
Rev. Anita Lovell, M.Div
Rev. Anita J. Lovell is a preacher and teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Her spiritual journey began at the age of 13 when she first acknowledged Jesus Christ as her Savior. She was subsequently baptized and went on to serve in multiple capacities within Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Canonsburg under the leadership of Rev. Willis M. Hickerson.
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The call for which she was born came in 2003, when God called her into the preaching ministry. She went into training under the leadership of Rev. Lance B. Whitlock and was licensed to preach in May of 2006. She was ordained by Mt. Olive in July of 2011. She served as an associate minister of Mt. Olive Baptist Church from the time that she was licensed until she was installed as their Pastor on October 19, 2014. Her greatest joy, without question, is to serve God’s people while preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to serving as the Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Rev. Lovell also serves as the Vice-President of the Greater Canonsburg Houston Ministerium and as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force for the borough of Canonsburg.
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On an educational and professional level, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) from Duquesne University in May of 1984. In May of 2022, she retired from UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh after 37 years of service. She received a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in June of 2014. Upon graduation from seminary, she received the Brooks Foundation Commencement prize which is awarded to the graduating senior who has the highest standing in the general area of Pastoral care.
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On a personal level, she is married to her one and only true love, Howard G. Lovell II. They have been married for 32 years and are the parents of two beautiful daughters, Elizabeth Ann Crino (Kace Crino) and Jessica Marie Lovell. They have two beautiful granddaughters, Chloe Elizabeth Lovell and Kahlilla Miriah Crino.