In August of 1984, St. Amant Baptist Church called Melvin Meister, Jr. to become our pastor. Bro. Meister has a long history of Christian service. He received the majority of his training by way of his parents, Pastor and Mrs. Melvin Meister, Sr. Bro. Meister spent four years in the United States Marines. He graduated from Hyles-Anderson College in 1974 with a Masters Degree in Education and in 1976 with a Masters Degree in Pastoral Theology. He served as the Dean of Men and Grounds Keeper at Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Indiana for 5 years under the leadership of the late Dr. Jack Hyles. He then moved on to help start the Texas Baptist College in Longview, Texas under Dr. Bob Gray, Sr.

Bro. Meister is married to Mrs. Linda (Shirley) Meister and they have four children, Sharon and Lial Zeedyk of Chatsworth, Illinois, Larry and Becky Meister of Appling, Georgia, Becky and Chuck Smith of St. Amant, Louisiana, and Stephen and Lisa Meister of Lemont, Illinois. Each of their children are serving in different aspects of the ministry of their churches. The Meisters are blessed to have nine grandchildren.