Profile of Reverend Dr. Carole McKindley-Alvarez
Reverend Dr. Carole McKindley-Alvarez is an ordained preacher and has been an active member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church since childhood. She has served in the usher board, music ministry, women’s ministry, and Christian Education ministry. She was the first woman appointed to the Board of Trustees and the first woman Chair, Dr. McKindley-Alvarez is a Leadership Institute of Allen Temple (LIAT) graduate. She served as Executive Pastor of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church prior to being elected Senior Pastor-Elect on May 19, 2024 (Pentecost Sunday), with a majority vote. Installed as the 4th pastor of Bethlehem MBC on Sunday, July 28, 2024.
Dr. McKindley-Alvarez received her Clinical Psychology doctorate degree in 2003. She’s been a professor in undergraduate and graduate institutions for 25 years. Dr. McKindley-Alvarez has been an executive for 20 years providing leadership on organizational systems change. She is a consultant providing governmental, profit, and non-profit organizations Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) strategic planning, trainings, and executive coaching. Dr. McKindley-Alvarez is dedicated to individual, family, and community healing.
Dr. McKindley-Alvarez is a life-long resident of Richmond, California, a city she is proud to call her home. She is the wife of Joseph V. Alvarez, Jr., mother of six children, grandmother of eight, and “adopted” mother/Godmother to several. If asked where her source of strength comes, she would say from her solid spiritual foundation. Dr. McKindley-Alvarez recognizes the shoulders she stands on: Her Ancestors, Her Family, and Her Community. To all she says “Thank You”.