UMO to Celebrate Founders Day

Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations

The University of Mount Olive (UMO) will celebrate 74 years of Christian higher education during its annual Founders Day event on Tuesday, November 18, at 11 AM in Southern Bank Auditorium. The celebration will feature The Reverend Johnny Ralph Sullivan as guest speaker.

Sullivan, Senior Pastor of Rains Crossroads Original Free Will Baptist Church in Kenly, NC, is a lifelong Christian and passionate minister of the Gospel known for his faithful leadership and deep love of Christian music. A gifted pianist and vocalist, he has shared the message of Jesus Christ since the age of four, using music as a central part of his ministry for nearly five decades.

A proud 1983 graduate of Mount Olive College, Sullivan has devoted nearly 30 years to pastoral service, previously leading congregations at Daniels Chapel and Stoney Creek Churches. His ministry extends beyond the pulpit through online worship messages and international evangelistic work, including two mission trips to India where he served as a guest preacher and seminary instructor.

In addition to his pastoral calling, Sullivan has been a Sunday school curriculum writer, youth camp counselor, and longtime advocate for Christian education. He chaired the Wilson County Dinner for UMO for more than 15 years, has served over 23 years on the Board of Directors for the Free Will Baptist Children’s Home, where he is currently chair, and also leads the Friends of Children Foundation. In his local community, he serves on the Executive Committee of Wilson Interfaith Services / Hope Station.

Sullivan holds degrees from Mount Olive College and Barton College, completed ordination studies through UMO, and earned a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His ministry and service have earned numerous honors, including the Elder P. T. Lucas Award for Excellence in Ministry and the Helping Hands Award from Diversified Opportunities.

Sullivan and his wife of 34 years, Donna (’84), reside in Sims, NC. They have two adult children, Matthew, a CPA and CFO of Freedom Industries in Rocky Mount, and Morgan (’18), a Speech-Language Pathologist with Kids Communicate in Wilson.

During the Founders Day celebration, UMO will also present the Founders Leadership Award and recognize employees for their years of dedicated service to the University.

“Founders Day is a time for reflection, gratitude, and recommitment to the mission that has guided Mount Olive since its beginning,” said UMO President Dr. H. Edward Croom. “We look forward to hearing the Reverend Johnny Sullivan’s message as we honor our heritage and celebrate the continued work God is doing through this institution.”