Our Pastor and First Lady

Tommie Gipson
Tommie GipsonPastor
Born in Denver, Colorado and reared in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Pastor Tommie Gipson is the son of the late Tommie N. Gipson, Sr. and Mildred H. Gipson. Pastor Gipson received his primary and secondary education within the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. He later received a B.S. (Sociology) from Southern University, a Juris Doctorate from the Southern University Law Center and a Masters of Divinity from Virginia Union University School of Theology (now known as the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology).

Pastor Gipson is bi-vocational and has successfully intermingled a legal career with his calling. He is active in the community, particularly the “Easy Town” neighborhood. He has served on several community boards and participated in many community initiatives, including a twenty year tenure on the East Baton Rouge Housing Authority.

Pastor Gipson is passionate about preaching and teaching God’s word, making disciples, equipping and empowering youth and children and social justice. He is married to Clarice Monroe Gipson and they are the parents of four sons, six grandchildren and one great grandson.

Clarice Gipson
Clarice GipsonFirst Lady
Clarice Monroe Gipson was born in Woodville, Mississippi and reared in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She received her primary and secondary education from the East Baton Rouge Parish School System. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Jarvis Christian College, a Masters of Education degree in mathematics and plus 30 hours certification in Administration from Southern University.

First Lady Gipson has offered her educational gifts as a math teacher and school administrator for more than 30 years in the East Baton Rouge School System. She serves as the ministry leader for the church’s HOPE (Helping Others Promote Excellence) Scholarship program, youth and children Star Sunday, the Back to School Program and she is an enthusiastic participant in many of the church’s ministries. She loves the Lord and is a tremendous asset to Donaldson Chapel.

Our Leadership Team

George Jones
George JonesYouth Pastor
Rev. Jones is a native of Homer, LA. He is married to Ms. Janice Jones and the two have three daughters. After moving to Baton Rouge, he joined the Donaldson Chapel Baptist church in 1992. While at Donaldson Chapel he has served on the Deacons Ministry and was a part of the men’s fellowship.

Rev. Jones is a graduate of Grambling State University. He accepted the call to preaching ministry in June 2007. He obtained a Master’s in Theological Studies for Liberty University in May 2010 and his Doctorate of Biblical Psychology from Hope Bible Institute 2022.

One of his favorite scriptures Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Sam Parker
Sam ParkerAssistant Pastor
Rev. Parker is a native or Norwood, LA. He is married to Mrs. Joyce Parker. They are the proud parents of four children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Rev. Parker has been affiliated with Donaldson Chapel for 38 years. He joined Donaldson in 1982. In 1985 he went to South Carolina to work and united with First Providence Baptist Church in North Augusta, SC. In 1991 he returned to Baton Rouge and reunited with Donaldson Chapel. He has served as a Deacon, chairman of the Deacon Ministry, Associate Minister, and currently as the Assistant Pastor.
Rev. Parker was called to preach the gospel in July 1995, preaching his first sermon in December of 1995. In 1997 Rev. Parker enrolled in seminary on a part-time basis to enhance his preaching and teaching ministry. In December 2005, Rev. Parker graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Christian Education. After 38 years of working in various chemical, refinery, nuclear, and industrial plants as a pipefitter he retired in 2013.

Rev. Parker’s role as Assistant Pastor include being Coordinator of Christian Education, Coordinator of Prison Ministry, and Administrator of the Community Garden. He enjoys preaching and teaching the word of God and ministering to the need of God’s people. He teaches the noon Bible Study on Wednesdays, he teaches classes in Donaldson Chapel Course of Study, and every other month he teaches the Sunday School lesson to the Sunday School teachers. Rev. Parker is a devoted and loyal servant of God. His motto is “I am what I am by the grace of God”. All the glory belongs to God.

Eleanor Joseph
Eleanor JosephMinister of Benevolence
Rev. Joseph is so grateful that she is a part of Donaldson Chapel, which is a church preaching, teaching and reaching to make everybody somebody in CHRIST Jesus. She enjoys being an Encourager while working in the Clothes closet, Missions ministry, Prison ministry, Celebrate Recovery, prayer line and teaching Sunday school.

One of her favorite songs is “If I can help somebody as I travel along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song, if I can show somebody that they’re traveling wrong then my living shall not be in vain.

Mallorie Chapman
Mallorie ChapmanMusic Director
Mrs. Mallorie Chapman, also known as Mal, has been singing since around the age of 5 years old. Her very first solo was I surrender All. In 2009, Mal became the choir director at Donaldson Chapel Baptist Church. While there, she stated the young adult choir, CFG (Crusaders for God).

Mal has recorded an album, been featured on albums, sang on many tours as well as with a plethora of national recordings artist.

Mallorie lives by the scripture: I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me”- Philippians 4:13.