Rev. Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr., Pastor of Ramah Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. is married to Rev. Dr. Bessie Cotton. Together they have five children and three grandchildren.

    Rev. Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr. served three years in the United States Army, and then transferred to the United States Air Force before receiving an honorable discharge as a disabled veteran. During his military career, he completed work in Electronics and Airport Fire Fighting. He received three Achievement Medals, a Commendation Medal, and other accolades.

 Educationally, Dr. Cotton graduated from the United Theological Seminary and Bible College, Monroe, Louisiana with a Master of Theology Degree. In 2014, he earned a Doctorate in Theology from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

   Rev. Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr. is a man after God’s own heart. He was a Deacon and Deacon Co-Chair prior to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He served in the Sunday School Ministry, Street Ministry, sang with the Male Chorus, and was a Youth Minister and Director of Youth Skits.

 In December 2008, Rev. Cotton was called to Pastor Ramah Missionary Baptist Church. In 2009, he formed the Big Sun District Association, a collective of area churches, which later joined the General Baptist Convention of Florida. He served five years as Moderator of the Association. Rev. Cotton is the former President of “Pastors With A Purpose,” former instructor of the United Theological Seminary and Bible College, former instructor of the Second Bethlehem Baptist Association’s United Congress of Christian Education, and former Second Vice President for the Marion County Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. He is also a retired Real Estate consultant and retired co-owner of Cotton & Cotton Realty, Inc.

 During Rev. Dr. Melvin Cotton, Jr.’s tenure at Ramah Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., God has blessed the church with many historical moments, which include the Youth Ministry Adopting A Highway, establishing a Scholarship Endowment at the College of Central Florida, taking Foreign Mission trips, opening a Christian Leadership School, and starting the Sun State Theological Seminary and Bible College.