Elbert “Pastor El” was born and raised in Jackson, MS. After graduating with a Mechanical Engineering degree from Alabama A&M, he worked for General Electric in Ohio. Having seen drugs devastate his family in Jackson, Elbert later witnessed God bring healing and transformation through the gospel, which led to his own conversion while reading the Bible in his apartment. His passion for sharing Christ grew into prison ministry, and after marrying his wife, Karen, he returned to Jackson to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. While serving at Redeemer Church, he helped launch Reformed University Fellowship at Jackson State University and in 2015 was called as Redeemer’s Senior Pastor. Elbert and Karen have two children, Karis and Tripp, and remain devoted to Jackson, its people, and God’s work of making broken things new.   Sermon recorded October 19, 2025 Rev. Elbert McGowan Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church Birmingham, AL