Rev. Dr. C. P. Epps

Dr. Cleo Phillip Epps heeded to the calling of our Heavenly Father and became a minister and was licensed on June 8, 1958, at Oak Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Then on March 26, 1959, he was Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel.
Dr. Epps was the Pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church for over fifty-two (52) consecutive years. He had been in the Ministry from 1958 until his demise. He held the esteemed position of Elder Statesman for Progressive Missionary & Education State Convention of Florida. He retired as Moderator of the First South Florida District Association after eleven (11) years of dedicated leadership which then incorporated over 120 Churches across the State of Florida. Prior to that, he was President of Congress Number Four for twenty-eight (28) consecutive years which then incorporated twenty-two Churches in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco & Hernando Counties. Prior to that, he was Vice President of the same Congress for eight (8) consecutive years.
He received his Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from Florida Theological Seminary after completing 8 years of academics. Dr. Epps trained over 40 Ministers and ordained over 20 as well as licensed over 30. He also agreed for Mount Olive to participate in the Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s