Dr. Paula Olivier, née Fils-Aimé, was born in Brooklyn, NY. She spent the early years of her life in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and then moved to Miami, FL. She and her family were members of Perrine SDA Church where they deliberately invested in her spiritual development and academic journey. In 1996, after weeks of prayer and fasting, Dr. Olivier answered God’s call to enter the Gospel Ministry. Since then, life has never been the same. She is a graduate of Oakwood University with a B.A. in Ministerial Theology and a minor in Psychology. She holds a Master of Divinity from Andrews University Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary. She is the author of Battle Tested: Breaking through challenges to build your best life now!
Pastor Olivier, a trailblazer, is the first female lead pastor of Haitian descent in the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Her ministry has been blessed by God to be both spiritual and innovative. Her preaching ministry has been featured in local and national conferences, radio and television including the Hope Channel and 3ABN. She has spoken across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Venezuela, the Caribbean and Israel. Dr. Olivier is also a John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Trainer and Coach. She is founder and creator of the Life Skills Academy that teaches community youth financial literacy, basic automotive, health and job readiness. Dr. Olivier is also the originator of the Sabbath Series Animation which is enjoyed by young and old alike. This animated series contains three fun and concise videos that explain God’s Sabbath treasure. Innovation, relevance and authenticity have been true marks of her ministry.
Dr. Olivier offered prayer to open the New Jersey Senate as they met to discuss relief efforts to help Haiti in light of the major earthquake. In addition, she helped raise nearly $20,000 in aid through her local church. Olivier also served as the official clergy representative for the Montclair Community Intervention Alliance (MCIA). MCIA administers a State funded grant supporting local groups that promote substance abuse prevention among youth, and advises the City Council on related matters. Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation (MNDC) awarded Dr. Olivier the Carlos Wormley Community Service Award. She was also honored with a joint Legislative Resolution from the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey for her leadership. In 2015, Dr. Olivier was asked to serve on the District Family Advisory Council of the Montclair Board of Education. In 2016, she worked with the Bergen County NAACP to block Bill S788. Bill S788 would prevent public access to police bodycam footage. May 2017, Olivier received the Spiritual Leader Award by the Haitian-American Committee of New Jersey. Olivier holds several certificates in non-profit leadership and crisis intervention. She is a member of the World Wide Federal Chaplains association.
She is married to the wonderful Dr. Smith Olivier, her partner in ministry. Her favorite text comes from Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” This is her motivation for ministry–a deep sense of indebtedness to the Cross of Calvary.