Our Pastor

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. serves as our senior pastor. He has been credited with shaping the lives of many for the glory of God.

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.  has traveled across the world preaching and teaching the masses about the love of Jesus Christ. Leading First Baptist since 1989, Pastor Jenkins remains steadfast in his quest to “develop dynamic disciples.” He is recognized as a catalyst to help individuals grow into lifelong Christian disciples who follow Jesus Christ. Pastor Jenkins believes that these individuals will impact the world on behalf of the Lord, thereby strengthening families and healing broken hearts along the way.

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. has been preaching the Good News since he was licensed as a minister in 1973 at 15 years old. From an early age, he developed a love for the Lord and felt a call to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

His pastoral journey began in February 1987 as the senior pastor at Union Bethel Church in King George, Va. His nearly three years of pastoring proved to be the training ground for his upcoming assignment. In October of 1988, Pastor Jenkins learned of the passing of his mentor and pastor of his home church, the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Dr. John W. Johnson.

One year after Dr. Johnson's passing, Pastor Jenkins returned to First Baptist to become the seventh shepherd. The fruit of his biblically based teaching is demonstrated in the growth of its church membership between its two campuses located in Landover and Upper Marlboro, Md. He has also overseen the development of the church's thriving online campus.

Under the leadership of Pastor Jenkins, First Baptist founded SHABACH! Ministries, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 arm of the church in 1996. Today he serves as chairman emeritus for SMI, which provides clothing, food, education and other resources in the Washington, D.C., area.

With the support of his wife, Trina, and their loving family, Pastor Jenkins has expanded his ministry beyond the walls of First Baptist. In addition to his role as senior pastor, he also serves as the board chairman for the National Association of Evangelicals, Project Bridges and The Skinner Institute as well as serving as a board member for the Greater Prince George’s County Business Roundtable. Pastor Jenkins was formerly on the boards of Bethel University, Denver Seminary, University of Maryland Capital Region Health, World Vision, Great Dads, Teen Challenge and a local bank.

For two years, Pastor Jenkins served as vice president/executive director of National Ministries for Converge. Converge - a movement of over 1,600 churches who start and strengthen churches and spread the gospel worldwide with more than 240 missionaries. He recently made history when he was appointed as president of Converge in September 2022, making him the first African American to lead the 170-year-old organization.

In 2022, Pastor Jenkins received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Denver Seminary in Littleton, Colorado; and in 2001, he received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Southern California School of Ministry in Inglewood, California.

Pastor Jenkins has traveled the world preaching and teaching about the love of Jesus Christ. Pastoring First Baptist since 1989, he remains steadfast in his quest to “develop dynamic disciples.” He is recognized as a catalyst to help individuals develop into lifelong Christian disciples who follow the Lord.

Despite his many obligations, as a licensed pilot, Pastor Jenkins takes great delight in flying, and holds his role as a family man as the highest treasure. He and his wife Trina are the proud parents of six children and seven grandchildren.

Pastor's Upcoming Itinerary

Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. CDT

Waukegan Community Church

Church Anniversary Service
Pastor Winfred Obleton

Event Location:
Waukegan Community Church
1001 North Sheridan Road
Waukegan, IL 60085

Website: https://wcc.org/ 

Wednesday, July 19 at 7 p.m. EDT

Global United Fellowship

10th Annual GUF Meeting
Bishop Neil Ellis

Event Location:
City of Praise
8501 Jericho City Drive
Landover, MD 20785

Contact Person: Yvette Ferguson
Contact No. 242-557-9964

Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at 6 p.m. EDT

Springfield Baptist Church

40th Pastoral Anniversary
Pastor Edward Fox

Event Location:
Petersburg, VA

Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. MST

Compass Church

Worship Service
Pastor Brian Jobe

Event Location:
1825 S Alma School Road
Chandler, AZ 85286

Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 at 9:15 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. EDT

Eastern Star Church

35thPastoral Anniversary
Pastor Jeffrey Johnson

Event Location:
Eastern Star Church
5730 E 30th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46218

Contact Person: Lisa Rattler Contact No. 317-591-5060