First Baptist Church of Teaneck
PASTOR BIO
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Reverend Dr. Marilyn Monroe Harris, D.Min.
Reverend Harris is a native of Hartford, Connecticut and gave her life to Christ at 12 years old. In 1995, Reverend Harris was licensed to preach by Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack, New Jersey under the pastorate of the Reverend Gregory J. Jackson, Senior Pastor and in 2000, she was ordained to the gospel ministry by Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey under the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. M. William Howard, Jr.
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In 2005, Reverend Harris was installed as the fifth Pastor and the first female Pastor of First Baptist Church of Teaneck in Teaneck, New Jersey. As a leader, preacher and teacher, First Baptist membership and ministries have grown and flourished as she continues to serve the needs of all people. First Baptist is a church “Communing with Christ, Developing Disciples and Transforming Lives!”
Reverend Harris is a visionary who believes that God has a purpose and call for every living soul from the youngest to the eldest. She is the founder and creator of the Foundation Building Christian Institute, which is based upon the principle that all foundations must be built upon the Word of God. She is also the founder and creator of the Christian Women’s Alliancewhich allows clergy women to come together in a safe environment to grow and bond together as Women in the Clergy.
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Reverend Harris was the first African American to preach at the Shrine of the Black Madonna at Montserrat in Catalonia, Spain and was privileged to preach at the Kagiso Baptist Church, Johannesburg, South Africa. She is sought after as a preacher, facilitator and teacher of the Gospel and continues to be called upon to preach and teach throughout the tri-state area.
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Reverend Harris is an unwavering servant and vessel of God, family, church and community who believes in helping people to grow spiritually, intellectually and socially. She is passionate about creating and building a kingdom for God by preaching, teaching, praying and serving His people. It is her desire to promote an environment of health, hope and healing for all.
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Reverend Harris has a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts, a Master of Business Administration degree from Rutgers University Graduate School of Management, Newark, New Jersey, a Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary where she received the Seminary’s highest academic honor, the Scholarship Achievement Award in Biblical Studiesand Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary.
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Reverend Harris has received many accolades and awards and has been honored by the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP Award for Pastoral Leadership and Excellence and the NAACP Bergen County Edward P. Dixon Award for Community Service, founding member and Chaplain for Women of the Dream, Inc. She is President of the United Missionary Baptist Convention State of New Jersey, the 2nd Vice Moderator of the North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association, the Past President of the Black Clergy Council of Englewood, Teaneck and Vicinity and the Past Moderator of the Essex Association of the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey and the first female African American Chaplain of the Teaneck Fire Department. Reverend Harris has also been featured in the Positive Community magazine, she is a Board of Director of the K.P. Youth Foundation but her greatest honor is the privilege to preach and teach the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Reverend Harris is a steadfast, devoted and faithful follower who believes in the power of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
