Pastor Karl Anderson is a native of Gainesville, Florida. He is the son of Marsha and (step-son of) Dewie W. Brewton and the son of the late Jackie Robinson. He is the first grandson of the late Superintendent Hugh Anderson, Sr. and Mother Ella Anderson. After being around the church all of his life, it was immediately following the death of his grandfather in 1986, that he was prompted to a sense of urgency to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Pastor Anderson is the husband of around 15 years to Lady Brecka Anderson. He is the father of three daughters, Kari, Bridget, and Bethany. He is a committed family man who has vowed to serve as an example to other husbands and fathers the need to be active in the lives of their families.
Serving as one of the Founders and Senior Pastors of Upper Room Church of God In Christ, Pastor Anderson is instrumental in implementing several ministries which include the Widows Wings and Fosters’ Fruits ministries at the local church. These ministries help widows, widowers and foster children realize the Love of God through fellowship and networking with partners of the ministry and community to help restore their quality of life.
Pastor Anderson also serves as Superintendent over the Greater Gainesville District of the Church of God In Christ where he oversees several churches. He is also the State Youth President and Axillaries In Ministry (AIM) Convention Coordinator for Florida Central Second Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Church of God In Christ. As a former On-Air Personality, Pastor Karl “THE REV” Anderson served as the host of the hottest urban contemporary and traditional Gospel program in North Central Florida!! While serving as the host of “CHURCHIN’ WITH THE REV” ON MAGIC 101.3/GOSPEL 1430, Pastor Anderson was selected as Gospel Announcer of the Year by the GMWA Florida Gospel Announcers Guild in 2003. He has been in the broadcasting, marketing and music industries for around 20 years. He is the President and Founder of PAVE, INC. (PEOPLE AGAINST VIOLENCE ENTERPRISES).
He is also active in several Committees such as Black on Black Crime Task Force, NAACP, African American Accountability Association (Four A’s), East Gainesville Instruction through Santa Fe Community College (where he serves as Chair) and the Alachua County Christian Ministerial Alliance (ACCMA) (where he serves as President). One of the climatic events of P.A.V.E. is a County-wide Rally held in August each year that ministers to over five thousand youth and adults teaching them Nonviolence Awareness. Back packs filled with school supplies are distributed to children to help them begin their school year with ambitions of success. For this reason, Pastor Anderson has earned many achievement and appreciation awards by various entities in the community and surrounding areas. His motto is “Whatever I do, I try to do in the Spirit of Excellence for it honors God and reflects His Character”.
