Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Marion Cornelious Potter was born in Summitt, Oklahoma to Rev. Cecil and Vera Potter.  He has one brother and three sisters. He accepted his calling to the ministry in 1970.   

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He is married to the former Mae Helen Shannon, and they have 2 daughters, Marian Billbury, and Marla Mayberry; a son, Marcus Potter, 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

 

He is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School.  He attended Coffeyville Community College, where he earned an Associate Degree in Mathematics. He also attended Spectron Computer School and the University of Tulsa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education.

 

As Pastor of Antioch, Rev. Potter implemented and enhanced several auxiliaries and ministries for the growth and empowerment of the membership.  He implemented a ten year vision that incorporated targeted resources to make Antioch an instrument in the hands of God that He can use to reconcile men to Himself. 

 

He was very concerned for the growth and empowerment of the church membership and community.  He is an avid believer in “Touching Our Community for Christ.” Although he’s concerned for all ages, he is very compassionate about children.  Because of his love and concern for the welfare of our children, he established a Neighborhood Summer Youth Program that has been in operation since 2002. 

 

Rev. Potter was a board member of the Morton Comprehensive Health Services, Tulsa Housing Partner (Tulsa Housing Authority), a member of the Community Police Relations Committee, a member of the Policy Oversight Committee (City of Tulsa), a board member of Community Partnership (City of Tulsa), and a member of the Public Housing Resident Service Task Force. He is currently the Chair of the North Tulsa Community Education Task Force.  He is very active in other city and community organizations, as well, and serves on various committees.

 

Rev. Potter served as President of the North Tulsa Baptist Ministers’ Conference, and as the state and national President of the One Church, One Child of Oklahoma, Inc. (OCOC) Board of Directors for several years.   He believes the OCOC program is a vital catalyst in providing hope and permanency for thousands of waiting children in the United States. He also serves on the National Network of Adoption Advocacy Program’s (NNAAP) Steering Committee and has served as Vice President of the OCOC Western Region.

 

Rev. Potter has received several awards for his hard work and his efforts to improve the condition of the lives of the people in the community.  Awards that Rev. Potter has received include the Service to Mankind Award (Sertoma International); Gilcrease Intermediate School Award; 100 Black Men of Tulsa Inc. - The Hall of Honor Community Service Award; Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry (TMM) Interfaith Service Recognition Award; Oklahoma Educators Association (OEA) Award; and the Tuskahoma Brown Miller Award, as well as other recognitions.  In 2013, he was honored with the renaming of 56th Street North to M. C. Potter Drive.

 

After being active in the ministry for over 50 years and serving as Pastor for 40 years of committed and dedicated service, Rev. M. C. Potter retired in February 2020.  He now serves as Pastor Emeritus.