The Berean Baptist Family

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

(Psalm 27:1 KJV).

Introducing

PASTOR

Rev. Dr. Jeffery T. Garland

Dr. Garland serves as Senior Pastor of Berean Baptist Church. Spreading the Gospel and being a witness for Christ Jesus and Christian mission locally first has been a longtime passion of his. Providing pastoral and spiritual care to the wounded and sick is his major focus within and outside the church walls. He strives to cultivate healthy relationships and develop resources to help bring the Word of God to the world. Thank God for Dr. Garland.

Dr. Garland came to Berean Baptist Church in December of 1995, after serving as a youth Sunday school teacher at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York under the late Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, for five years. While still attending seminary at New York Theological Seminary, he was the assistant to the late Rev. Dr. Wilson H. Tolbert until his retirement in 2015.

    • 1997, Dr. Garland was endorsed and ordained as a minister by the American Baptist Churches, USA.

    • 1998, Dr. Garland was called as Interim Pastor at Ramapo Baptist Church in Ramapo, New Jersey. He served in this position until January of 2000

    • 2000, Dr Garland entered Drew University school of Theology in pursuit of his Doctor of Ministry degree. Upon his return to Berean Baptist Church, his passion for pastoral and spiritual care for End-of-Life patients and family members was and continues to be at the heart of his ministry.

      • In conjunction with his doctoral studies, Dr. Garland provided hospice and palliative training at:

        • Berean Baptist Church, Newark New Jersey

        • Bethany Baptist Church, Newark New Jersey

        • New Hope Baptist Churches, Newark & East Orange New Jersey

        • Queen of Peace Roman Catholic Church, Newark New Jersey

    • 2002, Dr Garland's program received national attention from the American Hospital Association and the Circle of Life award was received by Barnabas Hospice and Palliative Care Center in San Diego, CA.

    • 2021, Dr. Garland served as the President of Board of Directors for the Association of Professional Chaplains until 2022 and is a member of the American Baptist Home Mission Society/American Baptist Churches USA Ecclesiastical Endorsement Committee.

    • Presently, Dr. Garland remains very active in his community and serves on:

      • The Essex Association of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey

      • The United Clergy of the Oranges

      • Is a Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

      • Is a Member of Chi Sigma Alumni Chapter

      • Is a Mason 32 Degree Samson Lodge #66 Prince Hall F&AM

      • Is a Board-Certified Chaplain with Robert Wood Johnson & Barnabas VNA Home Health Hospice and Palliative Care

      • Is an Administrator/Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University.

    • A Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Nova Southeastern University

    • Graduate of The Department of Justice – Quantico, VA,

    • A Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary

    • Doctor of Ministry from Drew University School of Theology

    • Educational Specialist Degree & Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Seton Hall University.

  • Pastor Garland has two daughters, Jazsmyne and Laila.

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