Rev. Sterling Wilson White Jr. is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather,
pastor, and servant of God whose life has been marked by unwavering faith, compassionate
leadership, and dedicated service to both church and community. Born on November 6, 1942, in
St. Louis, he was one of ten children born to Sterling Wilson White Sr. and Margaret Parker
White. Growing up in a large family instilled in him the values of responsibility, perseverance,
faith, and unity. Those formative years shaped his understanding of commitment—to God, to
family, and to community—principles that would later define his ministry and leadership.

Rev. White heard God’s call upon his life at the age of eighteen and his pastoral journey began
as a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Three Rivers, Michigan, under the leadership
of Pastor Bobby Joe Tolbert. It was there that he accepted the call to ministry, and at age
twenty-two, on October 3, 1965, he was licensed by Rev. George M. Joseph, as a minister to
preach Gods Word. Fourteen years later, on March 25, 1979, he was ordained in Cassopolis,
Michigan, by Pastor J. A. Richardson of Community Baptist Church. On July 2, nearly four
months later, he became pastor of House of Prayer Community Church in Cassopolis, where he
served faithfully from 1979 to 1983. Those years were foundational, strengthening his pastoral
heart and deepening his commitment to shepherding God’s people with compassion, integrity,
and biblical truth.

Committed to lifelong learning and theological excellence, Rev. White began his undergraduate
studies in 1981, at Moody Bible Institute, driving 2.5 hours on Friday to attend classes in
Chicage, Illinois. He would later earn his Doctorate of Theology, on September 12, 1995, from
Anderson Bible Baptist Seminary. His academic pursuits further equipped him to serve
effectively in ministry and strengthened his conviction that faith must be demonstrated through
action.

On January 8, 1984, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Rev. White founded New Jerusalem
Missionary Baptist Church, Three Rivers, Michigan, where he served as pastor until 1989. His
leadership during those years was marked by spiritual development, community outreach, and a
steadfast dedication to nurturing a strong foundation of faith within the congregation.

In 1992, Rev. White responded to what he believed was God’s next assignment, relocating his
family from Three Rivers, Michigan, to Charlotte, North Carolina. Upon settling in Charlotte, he
began seeking pastoral positions with churches in need of leadership. However, he would later
discover that God’s purpose for bringing him to the city extended beyond the traditional
pastorate.

Rev. White and his family joined Reeder Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of
Pastor Don Steger. There, he immediately began preaching and serving in the visitation ministry,
conducting weekly visits to members who were unable to attend in-person services.
As he traveled throughout the city visiting church members, Rev. White became increasingly
aware of the growing population of underserved and homeless individuals in Charlotte.
Witnessing firsthand the hardships faced by those without stable housing stirred a profound
burden within him—one he could not ignore. In 1999, Rev. White began feeding as many
people as he could with limited personal resources. That compassion and calling gave birth to
Urban Street Outreach Ministry, (USOM) a 501(c)(3) organization in 2001.

Established as a direct response to the needs he observed, Urban Street Outreach Ministry is
dedicated to serving “those without walls” with compassion, dignity, and love. Through
partnerships and community support, the ministry provides weekly, a sack lunch on Monday and
a hot meal on Tuesday. In addition, USOM distributes food and personal hygiene products
throughout the year, school supplies at the start of the school year, and blankets and socks in the
winter. Through hands-on outreach, Rev. White came to understand the ministry God called him
to in Charlotte was not confined to a building—but a ministry without walls. His life stands as a
testament to obedient faith, servant leadership, and the power of answering God’s call—
wherever it leads.

Today, Urban Street Outreach Ministry continues to bring hope, dignity, and practical support to
individuals and families experiencing homelessness.