Courageous Living- About Dr. Neal Carlson

About Dr. Neal

Dr. Neal Carlson graduated from this life suddenly at age 90 on May 8, 2024. He ran his race well and left a wonderful legacy for us to enjoy.

This Website is perpetuated in loving memory of Dr. Neal and exists to enrich the lives of those that have come seeking more of Jesus!

Dr. Neal lived with his wife Nancy, of 53 ½ years Between 2,000 and 2013 they lived in a small California beach town called Cayucos. After his wife "graduated" to Heaven (August, 2013) he then moved 5 miles south to a city called Morro Bay, California. The town is located on Hwy 1 roughly half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Calif. USA.

He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, April 27, l934 and at age 9 moved with his parents to the southern state of Louisiana where he was raised in the city of Shreveport. He graduated from Byrd High School there in 1952.

He earned a B.A. degree from Louisiana College (1956), a Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1960) and a Doctorate from California Graduate School of Theology (1971).

At age 19 he responded to the call from God to the ministry and within months was called to his first church as pastor, the Jacoby Baptist Church, Lettsworth, Louisiana.

He celebrated 70 years in the ministry, October, 2023. (See 70th Anniversary in ministry tab)

At the graduate school in New Orleans, l959, he met his wife to be, NANCY JANE DuBOIS from Kirkwood, (St. Louis) Missouri. She was working on her Masters in religious education.

Together they pastored:

Bridge City Baptist Church - greater New Orleans, La.
First Baptist Church - Plano, Illinois
Beverly Hills Baptist Church - greater Detroit, Michigan
American Baptist Church - Ridgecrest, California
Alvarado Baptist Church - San Diego, California

And 28 1/2 years - COMMUNITY CHURCH FELLOWSHIP King City, California until December 31, 2000.

He founded Foundation for Living, Inc. in 1972 and pastor of The Church In The Son (his internet ministry)

They have 5 grown children: Robyn Lynn, Kenneth Neal, Darrin Neal, Bryan Neal and Jody Lynn who on August 10, 2011 went to live with Jesus.

They have 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Pastor Neal has shepherded a series of congregations in his 64 years of ministry. Being called to ministry has resulted in a number of "Calling Cards."

Some of these calling cards have stories behind them. We've gathered them for you to enjoy. Click on each card to view.