Mission and History
Mt. Gilead Scholastic and Artistic Institute. The rural community idea that became an institution.The institute was planted as an idea in the mind of the Rev. Dr. Stanford Angion in 2010, after 6 years of failed attempts to find a reliable musician to play for the morning worship service at his home church, Mt. Gilead of Coy, where he had served as pastor since 2003. Angion recalls searching diligently in a 75-mile radius to find a musician and choir director. Finally, after numerous failed attempts to hire a musician, Stan recalled advice that he had received from several sympathetic listeners—“grow your own. If you grow your own you can train them to serve sincerely, and they will be likely to stay with you much longer,” someone said. Exasperated with searching for dedicated musicians willing to serve the Mt. Gilead congregants, “I decided to turn my full focus to investing in the training of my elementary school daughters. I would no longer look for a musician outside of our congregation. After asking around Selma, several people referred me to Mr. Walter Roper, a student at Concordia College and a dedicated musician who loved teaching piano. In the fall of 2009, he began teaching my daughters basic lessons, and before long they had learned to play congregational songs.”
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In the summer of 2010, Pastor Angion invited Walter Roper and other musicians to conduct a short three-day workshop to introduce Mt. Gilead youth to music lessons. The workshop was well attended and inspired interest in many at the church and in the community. The next summer the workshop was expanded and included more musicians and supporters. After a full two-week performing arts camp in the summer of 2012, where Tri-County Music, King Roper Productions, Dawson Baptist Church and several individuals served to teach a variety of performing arts, instrumental, and academic skills, the camp and institute became official. In fall 2012, the performing arts program was incorporated as Mt. Gilead Scholastic and Artistic Institute. The institute’s mission, vision, and partners have remained firm.
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Ten years later, MGS&A now trains about 30 students year-round and hires participants from its own program to teach others to love the Lord as they build character and other God-fearing musicians who are well-rounded academically and artistically. The organizational partners include Dawson Memorial Baptist Church of Birmingham, Alabama; King Roper Productions of Selma; Christian Way Baptist Church, Camden, AL; Tri-County Music of Selma, AL and several individual artists and donors.
MGS&A Administrators
Stanford E. Angion
President of MGS&A Institute & Board Member
Pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church
Hello, I am Stanford Angion. I was born in Coy Alabama, to a single parent. I joined Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Coy, Alabama, as a young boy. In Fall 1982, I attended Alabama A&M University, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science and received an active duty commission into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. I spent 13 years in the United States Army and attained the rank of major. In 1999, I accepted my call into the gospel ministry to preach and was honorably discharged from the Army in October 2000.
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February 4, 1995, I was married to Athenia Marie (Hudson) Angion from Cleveland, Ohio. We met and married in Oahu, Hawaii. We have two daughters, Ivana and Kendra. Ivana recently graduated from Alabama State University with a degree in History Education, and Kendra is a junior at ASU.
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I was licensed as a Baptist preacher in March 2000 and ordained later that year. I served as a Youth Pastor for two years at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hinesville, GA. In July 2003, I was installed as pastor of Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Coy, AL, where I currently serve.
My educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Soil Science from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL, a Master’s of Journalism and Mass Communications, from Marshall University in Huntington, WV; a Master’s of Education, from the University of West Alabama; a Master’s of Arts in Bible and Pastoral Ministry, from Selma University; and a Doctor of Education from Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. In November 2003, I published a book, Unleashing the Inner Strength of Youth. In Nov. 2014, I published “Invigorating Hope.” Also in July 2015, I published an “Implementation Guide for Invigorating Hope.”
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In Fall 1982, while at Alabama A&M University, I joined Army ROTC and became a member of the Pershing Rifles Fraternity in Spring 1983. A year later, in Spring 1984, I became a member of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Currently, I am a member of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The men of Phi Beta Sigma work together to serve the general community. Their motto is “culture for service and service for humanity.”
On August 1, 2016, I assumed responsibilities as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Selma University. April 20, 2021, I was assigned to the position of President at Selma University, where I currently serve.
Susan Wilson
Susan Angion-Wilson is the program manager for Mt. Gilead Scholastic and Artistic Institute (MGS&A). She serves as secretary on its Board of Directors. Susan is a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Coy, AL under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Stanford E. Angion. She currently serves as the Choir President and Youth Director at Mt. Gilead. She has three daughters, Jaserica, Charlissa and Chelsey and they live in her hometown of Coy. Susan is a 2017 graduate of Concordia College Alabama where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She is currently employed by Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission as a Case Manager for Medicaid Waiver Services.
As program manager at MGS&A Susan oversees and schedule the Fall and Spring sessions between instructors and students, she helps organize MGS&A’s summer camp, and she collaborates with members from different organizations such as Samford University or Dawson Baptist Church that MGS&A partners with on special events. She enjoys putting together programs and events that showcase the talent of the youth in her church and the youth of the community. She likes to sing and read in her spare time.
Jaserica Angion
Assistant Director
Greetings, my name is Jaserica Angion. I was born and raised in Coy & Camden, AL, primary by a single parent, Susan Wilson. After graduating from Wilcox County High in 2014, I attended Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL for about a year, then I transferred to Alabama Southern Community College, where I graduated with an Associates degree In welding.
Presently, I attend the historic Selma University, in Selma Alabama, where I am currently serving as the “2021-2022” Miss Selma University. My major is business administration.
At Mt. Gilead, I am humbled, yet elated to serve as the Church Assistant Youth Director and Mentoring Coordinator. These opportunities will allow me to help build lifelong relationships between the mentors and mentees. I truly believe that every child is one caring adult away from being a success story.
“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”
~Colin Powell
MGS&A Board of Trustee Members & Officers
David Bivins
Trustee Board Member
David Bivin was born and reared in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Shades Valley High School and Auburn University, where he majored in Transportation and Physical Distribution. His work experience includes sales, sales leadership, training, operations, contracting, distribution, and project management with various healthcare related companies.
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David’s involvement in Wilcox County began in 2002 following the Birmingham News series on Alabama’s Black Belt. With a desire to help make an impact, David was introduced to the Spirit of Luke organization. David, his wife Denise, their son Jake, and daughter Carley participated in their first medical mission trip to Vredenbubrgh, Alabama and they have been active in the area ever since.
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David is a lifelong member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood. He and his wife have served Dawson in several volunteer capacities over the years. One of those is Dawson’s Black Belt ministry. Dawson and their members have focused on building a strong Christian relationship with the wonderful citizens of Coy, and they have partnered with the local Coy community to provide supplies, support, friendship, and prayers over the years.
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David considers it an honor to be involved with the MGS&A. The impact the organization has on the lives of the children of Coy – both the eternal impact and worldly impact – is amazing.
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“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” Matthew 25: 44-45
Pamela Perryman
Trustee Board Treasurer & Member
Pamela M. Perryman is a 47 year old Wilcox County native. She is the mother of two biological children (April and Dasean), a godson she’s had since he was two weeks old (Trevion) and three grandchildren (JaKobi, Jakarli and Raelyn). Pamela is a member of Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, Coy, Alabama where she serves as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. She is also a board member of MGS&A and the Treasurer.Pamela has worked with law enforcement for a total of twenty four (24) years. Eight years with the Wilcox County Sheriff’s Office as the Chief Clerk and 16 years with the 4th Circuit District Attorney’s Office as the Office Manager/Victim Service Officer. Throughout her time working in this profession she has established herself as a leader, role model and a professional with a promising career and passion for helping and connecting with others in the field of law enforcement.
Stanford E. Angion
President of MGS&A Institute & Board Member
Pastor of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church
Hello, I am Stanford Angion. I was born in Coy Alabama, to a single parent. I joined Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Coy, Alabama, as a young boy. In Fall 1982, I attended Alabama A&M University, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Soil Science and received an active duty commission into the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. I spent 13 years in the United States Army and attained the rank of major. In 1999, I accepted my call into the gospel ministry to preach and was honorably discharged from the Army in October 2000.
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February 4, 1995, I was married to Athenia Marie (Hudson) Angion from Cleveland, Ohio. We met and married in Oahu, Hawaii. We have two daughters, Ivana and Kendra. Ivana recently graduated from Alabama State University with a degree in History Education, and Kendra is a junior at ASU.
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I was licensed as a Baptist preacher in March 2000 and ordained later that year. I served as a Youth Pastor for two years at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hinesville, GA. In July 2003, I was installed as pastor of Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Coy, AL, where I currently serve.
My educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Soil Science from Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL, a Master’s of Journalism and Mass Communications, from Marshall University in Huntington, WV; a Master’s of Education, from the University of West Alabama; a Master’s of Arts in Bible and Pastoral Ministry, from Selma University; and a Doctor of Education from Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL. In November 2003, I published a book, Unleashing the Inner Strength of Youth. In Nov. 2014, I published “Invigorating Hope.” Also in July 2015, I published an “Implementation Guide for Invigorating Hope.”
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In Fall 1982, while at Alabama A&M University, I joined Army ROTC and became a member of the Pershing Rifles Fraternity in Spring 1983. A year later, in Spring 1984, I became a member of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Currently, I am a member of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. The men of Phi Beta Sigma work together to serve the general community. Their motto is “culture for service and service for humanity.”
On August 1, 2016, I assumed responsibilities as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Selma University. April 20, 2021, I was assigned to the position of President at Selma University, where I currently serve.
Susan Wilson
Susan Angion-Wilson is the program manager for Mt. Gilead Scholastic and Artistic Institute (MGS&A). She serves as secretary on its Board of Directors. Susan is a member of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church in Coy, AL under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Stanford E. Angion. She currently serves as the Choir President and Youth Director at Mt. Gilead. She has three daughters, Jaserica, Charlissa and Chelsey and they live in her hometown of Coy. Susan is a 2017 graduate of Concordia College Alabama where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. She is currently employed by Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission as a Case Manager for Medicaid Waiver Services.
As program manager at MGS&A Susan oversees and schedule the Fall and Spring sessions between instructors and students, she helps organize MGS&A’s summer camp, and she collaborates with members from different organizations such as Samford University or Dawson Baptist Church that MGS&A partners with on special events. She enjoys putting together programs and events that showcase the talent of the youth in her church and the youth of the community. She likes to sing and read in her spare time.
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