Elder Alvin D. Austin (Lansing)

Alvin D. Austin was born on February 19, 1952 in Lansing, Michigan to Alton and Lucille Austin. He was the second of their four children. He attended Lansing Public Schools. He loved to read and made strong academic impressions. He attended Lansing Community College and Rhema Bible College.
Alvin accepted the Lord as his personal Savior as a young man. He began his Christian walk at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist church singing in the Angel Choir and giving speeches at Christmas and on Resurrection Sunday. He attended several churches serving the Lord, doing all he could to be a blessing to others, before he became a member at New Jerusalem Church. There he labored in the spirit of love as he pressed toward the mark of the High calling. During that time Alvin was called into the ministry. He understood leadership as he worked very closely with his Pastor, Charles Bicy.
Alvin married Debra Brandon; together they had two children, Aleisha and Wesley. Alvin was an excellent father and provider. He made many sacrifices and carried a deep love for his children. He was proud of all of their accomplishments.
Elder Austin was a hard-working man. He held many jobs before he became a Corrections Officer at the Parnell facility located in Jackson, Michigan in 1987. He loved his job because he saw it as ministry. He worked there for twenty-five years until he retired in 2014.
Elder Austin went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 12, 2016. He left to cherish his memory his dad, Alton Austin of Lansing, Michigan; one daughter, Aleisha Austin of Dallas, Texas; one son, Wesley (Richelle) Austin of Orlando, Florida; four grandchildren, Antionette, Antonio, Noah and Lillianna; two sisters, Diane Hoskins, Geneva Martin; one brother, Justin (Diane) Austin, all of Lansing, Michigan; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Elder Austin departed this life as a loving father, a giver of joy and blessings to his father, sisters, brother and all family members, and everyone he had the privilege of coming in contact with.