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Larry E. Johnson, Th.D.
Senior Pastor
Mt. Calvary Seventh Day Adventist Church has had a strong presence in the heart of the
Tampa Bay community for more than 110 years. We are a bible-based church focused
on leading souls towards Calvary by evangelizing and spreading the gospel about
the three angels' message found in Revelation.
We have uplifting, spirit-filled worship services and dynamic ministries to meet
your spiritual, mental, and physical needs. We are a diverse congregation with
multicultural backgrounds from over 30 different countries.
Mt. Calvary is part of the worldwide Seventh-Day Adventist Church which has over 17 million members worldwide.
We are a bible-based church focused on leading souls towards Calvary by evangelizing and spreading the gospel about the three angels message found in Revelation.
Located in Tampa Bay
Office Hours:
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Tues & Wed: 10am-3pm
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Thurs: Visitations
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Fri: Appointment Only
Meet Calvary's Pastors
Dr. Larry E. Johnson is a native of Compton, California. He has a distinguished career, both as a clergy in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and as Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer at Pine Forge Academy, Allegheny East Conference, Southeastern Conference and South Atlantic Conference of Seventh Day Adventist. They are returning to the Tampa area after 21 years.
Pastor Johnson has a BS degree in Accounting, BA degree in Theology, a Masters in Theology and a Doctorate in Theology.
Pastor Johnson is married to the former Carol Sumpter of South Conway, South Carolina. They are humble and honored to be the first family of Mt. Calvary SDA Church. The Johnson’s have been blessed with one child, Jonathan Phillip, who is employed by Amazon. They are also the guardians for Lamia Holley, a special needs adult.
Sister Johnson is the owner and CEO of a Residential Care facility for six special needs children in Durham, North Carolina and an adult Family Care Home for three residents in Raleigh.
Truly, God has been directing the life of his manservant and has blessed the Johnson family. The Johnson’s motto is: Hear His voice, Feel His presence, and Experience His power!
Their goal for Mt. Calvary is to shepherd in such a way that each member and visitor would be daily encouraged to allow God to mold you into a purpose-filled vessel, pointing all grace and glory back to Him. It is their prayer that His Spirit will fully illuminate each of us on this heaven-bound journey, through every trial and victory. And as He empowers you to persevere through life’s struggles that you may confidently communicate God’s vibrant hope to others — shining His eternal light for the lost.
The Johnson’s pray daily for the church family and especially their specific prayer is that each family would reflect the character of Jesus in our relationships, ministries, missions, and throughout our pilgrimage.
The Johnson’s love for ministry goes beyond words. Of course, they are always humbled by your continued prayers and support, and is honored to serve you with the hope of Jesus’s soon return. The Johnson’s view each member as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece and ask that we all allow God’s rest to renew us, His mercy to inspire us, and His love to propel us into soul-winning action!
As we journey together, in the midst of crisis, we rise above, we pray, we give thanks. No matter the circumstance Pastor Johnson implore us to keep on loving and remain committed to the will of our Heavenly Father.
Pastor Johnson's favorite scripture
Yvette Parham
Associate Pastor
Pastor Yvette Parham is a native of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. She attended Oakwood University (known as Oakwood College at that time) and graduated with both an Associate of Nursing and Bachelor of Theology. During that time, she met Darnell Parham who was also studying Theology. After graduation, he proposed and the two were married the following year. In 2003, they matriculated to Andrews University and began their MDiv studies.
In May 2006, Pastor Darnell Parham Sr was hired as a pastor in the Lake Region Conference of SDA. Still having more classes to complete, Pastor Yvette Parham vowed to finish what was begun when time and opportunity permitted. Hence, she continued to work alongside her husband as well as in nursing. She became the mother of two beautiful children: Darnell, Jr and Alessandra.
Unfortunately, on February 8, 2011, her husband succumbed to his battle with cancer. After much prayer, she was led to Valdosta, Georgia and attended the Grace Fellowship church. Pastor Parham volunteered her time, skills and talents to the work of the church as an elder. When the call to join the ministerial team at Southeastern Conference was extended in December 2014, she graciously accepted.
She was placed at the Patmos Chapel Church in Winter Park, FL for a short season. She then returned to the Seminary at Andrews University to finish her MDiv. Pastor Parham, thankful for her time at Seminary, returned to SEC in 2018. Her favorite text is Revelation 21:4, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Pastor Parham cannot wait for this text to become a reality.