Rev. Dr. Mary A. Tumpkin
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Mary Tumpkin founded the church in 1982 and continues to guide this New Thought institution of empowerment, devotion, and commitment to better living. According to her vision, the Center is dedicated to develop and empower the whole person. Her leadership has guided the Center from a few members meeting in rented hotel space, to construction of a $1.8 million, 22,000 square foot facility that includes the sanctuary, a community room, bookstore, Universal Academy, Community Development Corporation, adult education classrooms and staff offices. Expansion of the existing center will be completed by 2010.
Rev. Dr. Mary earned her Doctorate degree at the South Florida Center for Theological Studies in Miami, Florida. She currently serves in the dual role as President of the Universal Foundation For Better Living and Senior Minister of the Universal Truth Center. She is a published author and lectures throughout North America and the Caribbean, and is highly regarded as a biblical scholar.
Rev. Dr. Anna M. Price
Executive Minister
The Rev. Dr. Anna Price was ordained by the Universal Foundation for Better Living in November of 1997 after more than twenty-five years in key academic and political roles. Prior to her ordination, Dr. Price worked as an administrator and faculty member at the University of Miami. She also worked briefly as Dean of Student Affairs at Florida Memorial College.
As a leader in the South Florida community, Dr. Price served as a City Commissioner before being elected Mayor of the City of South Miami from 1997 to 1998. She has served on the board of numerous organizations including Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Dade County Public Schools, the Florida Sports Foundation, and the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, and she is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
In her capacity as the current Outreach Minister at UTC, “Rev. Anna” heads the Peace Alliance Ministry and the Freedom Ministry, which has graduated more than 100 prisoners with a High School Equivalency Diploma.
Dr. Price earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Central State University in Ohio, graduating summa cum laude. She received her Master of Science degree in Economics at Wright State University and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Miami.
Rev. Charles M. Taylor
Assistant Minister
The Rev. Charles Taylor is a charter member of UTC. Over the past 24 years, he has served this ministry in numerous capacities, lending his passion for fellowship and teaching to every effort. He has served as the Director of the Fellowship Ministry, a Board member, a youth minister, and a Sunday School teacher, among countless other contributions. Rev. Taylor is the current head of the Pastoral Care department.
With a gift of insight and a disarming sense of humor, “Rev. Charles” counsels couples and individuals. He also teaches Better Living classes with a style that empowers adults and youth alike to think deeply about their spirituality and uncover their divine potential. Throughout the Center, he is known and loved for his patient commitment to growth.
He is a graduate of the Johnnie Colemon Institute, where he received his religious training. He was ordained by the Universal Foundation for Better Living in November of 1990.
Rev. Jean Dade-Batchie, a graduate of the Universal Foundation for Better Living Previously Ordained Clergy Program, became a UFBL licensed minister in November of 2002. First ordained in April of 1961 at the Woods Temple Church in Chicago, IL, Rev. Jean (as she is affectionately known) now divides her time between UTC and the Temple of Spiritual Truth in Chicago, where she is a co-founder and the senior pastor. Temple of Spiritual Truth is in the final phase of qualifying for admittance as a UFBL church.
Rev. Jean, who began her ministry in house meetings and storefront churches, holds degrees in Sacred Literature and Comparative Religions. She currently serves as the Dean of the New Vision Institute of Higher Learning, and she has traveled and preached all over the United States and abroad. Rev. Jean is also the founder of the Cosmic Weekend Seminars, a series of spiritual empowerment workshops hosted by the Nordic Hills Resort in Itasca, IL.