Meet Our Pastor

Pastor Lonzo L. Hamilton Sr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married to Furnence Hamilton and is the father of 2 daughters, Latoya and Tiffany, and 2 sons, Melvin and Lonzo, Jr. During matrimony, he was blessed with an extended family, Keith, Neffi, Tia, and Gabby. He is gratefully blessed with 17 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, and another on the way.

Pastor Hamilton was educated in the private and public school systems in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. He graduated from East Jefferson High School and attended Delgado Community College of New Orleans.

He accepted Christ as his personal savior in 1977. He was baptized by the late Reverend Dr. AP Clay at the Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Kenner, Louisiana. He accepted his call to the ministry in 1990. Pastor Hamilton was licensed to preach in 1990 and was ordained in 1992 at Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He attended Christian Bible College of Louisiana, where he received a Doctorate Degree in Theology in 1995. Pastor Hamilton has taught at Christian and Maranatha Bible Collges. He was a Street Evangelist for 10 years.

He began fellowship at St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church in 1999 under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Edward Brown. He was installed as Pastor of St. Matthew on October 4, 2004, after the retirement of Reverend Brown.

Under his leadership, the first Marriage Institute, Sunday School Department, and Youth Summer Vacation Trip to Disney World were established. He acquired Church management and Tax Law information, securing a 501C3 status for the Church. He continues to provide unlimited guidance support in the restoration of our church during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Pastor Hamilton has been quite busy for the Lord during these twenty-one years of service at St. Matthew. He has ministered to his flock providing all types of services such as christenings, weddings, burials, baptisms, etc. Under his administration, the church has been able to increase its spiritual and financial status. Thanks to his leadership, St. Matthew has been able to reach out to the community and provide assistance to those in need through street ministry. We also purchased a parking lot, began the use of percussion and string instruments in worship services, and established a Media Ministry. On November 9, 2012, Pastor Hamilton ordained Reverend Robert Chandler Jr. into the ministry, and he appointed two deaconesses. In late 2018, the construction began on the new extended addition, which included a disabled ramp that leads into the sanctuary, with added parking for the congregation. On March 17, 2019, Pastor Hamilton led the march along with St. Matthew's members into the new addition for the dedication ceremony, and on that day, the members and guests fellowshipped together in the new sanctuary. In June 2022, Pastor Hamilton started St. Matthew's first weeklong Youth Vacation Bible Study Session. Pastor Hamilton is focused on preaching the Word, and his desire is to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.