The Reverend James A. Platt, Pastor, Allen Temple AME Church, Phenix City, AL
Rev. Platt was born in New Orleans, LA to Deacon James Platt, Jr. and the late Clara B. F. Smith. Rev. Platt was educated in the Trenton, NJ Public Schools, graduating from Trenton Central High School in 1972. He is a retired veteran of the United States Air Force, having served over twenty years as a Jet Engine Mechanic and Flight Engineer (with more than 10,000 flight hours) aboard three different heavy transport aircraft (C-141, C-130, and C-5).
Rev. Platt earned his B.S. in Human Resource Management from Wilmington College (now Wilmington University) of DE and is a proud graduate of Turner Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta, GA where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Rev. Platt currently serves as the Secretary and Admissions Class Instructor of the Northeast Alabama Annual Conference Board of Examiners, and a member of the Ministerial Efficiency Committee.
Rev. Platt is married for more than 30 years to Rev. Sandra D. Yates, our Associate Pastor and First Lady. Together they are the proud parents of six sons and four daughters (in love): Mosi (Aziza), Manu, Matthew (Teri), Ekundayo (Cynthia), Kwasi (Lisa), and James Awadi. They are also proud of four grandchildren: Kendi, Kosi, Vivianna and Valentina.
Rev. Platt has been serving faithfully at Allen Temple AME Church since April 2018.
The Reverend Sandra D. Yates, Associate Pastor, Allen Temple AME Church, Phenix City, AL
Rev. Sandy, as she is affectionately called, was born in Philadelphia, PA to the late Samuel Bowman, Jr. and the late Mae Vern Yates. Rev. Sandy was educated in the Philadelphia Public Schools, graduating from Murrell Dobbins Area Vocational Technical High School in 1980. She is a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, where she met her husband, Rev. Platt while both were serving at Little Rock AFB, AR.
Rev. Sandy earned her B.S. in Economics from Wesley College (now Delaware State University) of DE and and is currently matriculating at Turner Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Atlanta, GA pursuing a master of Divinity degree.
Rev. Sandy serves Allen Temple as the Church School Superintendent, Prayer Ministry Leader, and Women's Bible Study Coordinator.
Rev. Sandy has been married to Pastor Platt for nearly 40 years. Together they are the proud parents of six sons and four daughters (in love): Mosi (Aziza), Manu, Matthew (Teri), Ekundayo (Cynthia), Kwasi (Lisa), and James Awadi. They are also proud of four grandchildren: Kendi, Kosi, Vivianna and Valentina.
Rev. Sandy has been serving alongside her husband faithfully at Allen Temple AME Church in Phenix City, AL since April 2018.
