Dr. Pelt is a graduate of Paramount High School in Boligee, Alabama. He earned his A. A. Degree from Selma University in Selma, Alabama; his B. S. Degree in Secondary Education from Livingston University, Livingston, Alabama; his Masters of Divinity in Church History from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)/Morehouse School of Religion in Atlanta, Georgia; and his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Education from Emory University/Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia.

From 1975 to 1979, Dr. Pelt served as the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Boligee, Alabama. During that time he was actively involved in the Mount Olive Baptist Association as a member and officer. He was also active in the Youth Department of the Alabama State Convention.

Dr. Pelt pastored the Hill First Baptist Church of Athens, Georgia from 1985 to 1991. While in Athens he was involved in numerous religious and social organizations to include the Northeast Baptist Ministerial Union, the Metro Athens Ministerial Association, the African American Fellowship, the Northwest Baptist Sunday School Congress of Christian Education, the City of Athens Library Board, the Morning Optimist, the Athens Pastoral Counseling Committee, the OIC Board, the People for People Organization and Lincoln Lodge No. 62, Prince Hall, Free and Accepted Masons.

Dr. Pelt served as president of both the Northeast Baptist Ministerial Union (1987-1991) and the Metro Athens Ministerial Alliance (1990-1991).

He is presently (1991 – present) the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia. Since being there he has received several new and returning members; reorganized the Sunday School, Wednesday Night Bible Study, Music Ministry, Trustee Ministry and the Youth Ministry; instituted a Sunday School Teachers Certification Program and new members class; established a Thursday Morning Bible Class for Seniors and a Saturday Bible Class emphasizing evangelism; expanded the Homeless Ministry to include a time of prayer and worship; ordained a large number of ministers; ordained several new deacons, including the 1st female deacon; organized a Ministry in Context Program to mentor Morehouse School of Religion students; provided the leadership in creating the Praise Dance Ministry and the Health & Wellness Ministry; initiated an early morning worship service, Summer Enrichment and Community Outreach Program; and started an Open Forum and Leadership Council to keep the members informed. Additionally, as led by God, Pastor Pelt has been responsible for bringing forth the vision of building the new church on its original site to accommodate the needs of a growing church and community.

Dr. Pelt is involved in several civic and religious organizations. These include the Atlanta Baptist Association (former Moderator); the Atlanta Baptist Minister’s Union (former President); Capital Ministries where he served as a board member of Holy Smoke; Concerned Black Clergy; Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment (ABLE); and Habitat for Humanity where he worked in partnership with several other churches to build homes.

He is an active member of the New Era State Convention and the Progressive National Baptist Convention. He has lectured on a variety of subjects at various local, state, regional and national associations and conventions. On the National level he taught courses for Youth Ministers & Workers and Trustees. On the state level, he has taught Baptist Doctrine and African American Worship in the Christian Church. Dr. Pelt has served as 2nd and 1st Vice President & President (1998 – 2002) of the New Era State Convention Congress of Christian Education. His leadership was instrumental in the successful transition of the annual Congress from Toccoa to the New Era Convention Center in Griffin.

Dr. Pelt is also involved in the academic life of the Atlanta University Center. Since 1992 he has been on the faculty of the ITC as an instructor of Baptist History and Polity at Morehouse School of Religion. Currently, he is President of the Morehouse School of Religion Alumni Association. For several years he served as an executive board member of the Morehouse School of Religion Alumni Association. He also served as a Mentor (Professor & Supervisor) in the Doctoral Program at United Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio from January 2003 – May 2008. Fourteen (14) students received Doctor of Ministry degrees under his leadership.

He is married to the former Mary Outland. Mrs. Pelt is an active member and Sunday School Teacher at Liberty Baptist Church. She is also employed as a Contracting Officer. The Pelts have two sons and one daughter-in-law. Sherman Tyrone, a graduate of Tuskegee University and The Georgia Institute of Technology, is currently employed as an Electrical Engineer. Cherline, a graduate of Georgia State University, is a Financial Analyst. John Nicklaus, a student at the Art Institute of Atlanta, is majoring in Audio Production.