Dr. Gillison was called into the ministry in August of 1980 and became Pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in June 1981. The Church purchased 5 acres of land at 701 East Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York, for its new three-million-dollar home. Construction of the new home of Mt. Olive Baptist Church began in April 1994. In October 1995, a long procession marched into the sanctuary, which seats approximately 1200 persons, with a chapel overflow, 16 classrooms, an all-purpose hall for sports and dining. On December 2, 2001, six years later, the 20-year mortgage was paid.
Pastor William Gillison is President and founder of the Mt. Olive Development Corporation, Director of the Ministers’ Division of the Empire State Congress of Christian Education, and Second Vice President of the District Congress of Christian Education. He is presently a member of the City of Buffalo Master Plan Commission, a member of the Eighth Judicial District Advisory Council, and Advisory Board of an organization called “Athletes in Action,” which has allowed him to minister to many of the National Football League (NFL) Teams.

He has served as President of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Buffalo and Vicinity, Chairman to the Equal Rights Commission of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A. Inc., an Instructor in the State and Local Congress of Christian Education, Board Member of the Gospel Community Hour, Delavan-Grider Concerned Citizens, St. Augustine’s Home Health Care Services, Grace Manor Nursing Home Foundation, Campus Ministries at the University of Buffalo, Board Member Meals On Wheels and Historian of the Great Lakes Baptist Association and an Advisory Board Member of Group Ministries.

Rev. Gillison is also a recipient of many awards, including the National Conference Brother/Sisterhood Interfaith Award, presented by the National Conference of Christians and Jews; Women’s Council, International Christian Friends Award for Outstanding Dedication and Commitment to the Community; Service Award from the Buffalo Lutheran Employment Service; Outstanding Service as Pastor, Preacher, and Community Leader from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, Crozer Theological Seminary and recipient of the first New York State Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for major contributions toward human and civil rights, presented by New York State Governor George E. Pataki.

Rev. Gillison is the recipient of Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Jesus The Liberator Seminary, Buffalo, New York, and Triune Biblical University and Seminary, Kelso, Washington. Pastor Gillison also does a number of different broadcast programs: “The Answer” on TCT (Total Christian Television)is a National / International Broadcast. The Radio program, “JUST A VOICE” on 1080 WUFO, is a weekly broadcast that deals with local, State, and National issues in the light of the Bible.

Rev. Gillison has also been honored by SADOO Enterprise, INC. as a Distinguished Citizen. He has also been honored by the Samaritan Center as a “Good Samaritan.” (Published by: Uncrowned Community Builders)

Reverend Dr. William Gillison Jr. entered into eternal rest on Monday, July 4, 2022.

He leaves his legacy with his beloved wife, children, grandchildren, and a host of other loving family, church family, and friends.

Reverend Gillison lay in State Friday, July 15, 2022, 12 PM – 8 PM at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 701 E. Delavan Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14215. The family was present from 6 PM – 8 PM. The service was Saturday, July 16, 2022, 10 AM, and was followed by A Celebration of Triumph at 11 AM. Entombment Serenity Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Cemetery.

        In 2016, Rev. Dwayne Gillison was voted to become the new pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church at the appropriate time.   At the time, he was serving as the Assistant     Superintendent of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Sunday School Department.  Until recently, he was the instructor for the Noon Day Bible Study classes, as well as a Sunday School teacher.  Additionally, Rev.  Gillison serves as the Northeast Regional Coordinator for the Sunday School Publishing Board, the Dean of the Great Lakes Congress, and he is a part of the MOBC Men’s Fellowship and serves in many other spiritual capacities.        

        In September 2023, Rev. Gillison was honored as a Black Achiever by the Buffalo Urban League.  As a concerned community resident, Rev. Gillison serves as a board member at the relatively new Viridi Parente Corp., whose mission is to hire and train underserved minority men and women of the City of Buffalo in assembling electric automobile batteries.    

        Rev. Gillison is also actively involved in the Concerned Clergy Coalition, the Baptist    Ministers Conference of Buffalo & Vicinity, and the Urban Think Tank.   He is committed to winning souls for Christ and preaching to offer God’s Divine Word to address matters of importance to salvation with a practical application.  His focus is always on glorifying God.

        Rev. Dwayne Gillison is married to Victoria Gillison and has three children, Nichelle, Donald, and Dwayne Jr, and two grandchildren, Nyla Antonia Gillison and Cannon Elias Holt.