Historic Princeton Church Names New Pastor After Six-Year National Search

PRINCETON, N.J. - June 5, 2025 - PRLog -- The First Baptist Church of Princeton is pleased to install Rev. Maureen Gerald as its new Senior Pastor, following an extensive six-year national search. Rev. Gerald, a Mercer County resident and Princeton Theological Seminary Director and alumna, will be the second woman to hold this prestigious position since the church's founding in 1800.

The installation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM at Stone Hill Church of Princeton, 1025 Bunn Dr, Princeton, NJ 08540. This event marks a new era for the church, which originated as the Bright Hope Baptist Church in 1880, before adopting the name First Baptist Church in 1930.

Rev. Gerald expressed her excitement about leading the congregation: "I am truly honored to serve as the new Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Princeton. With the tremendous support of the church leadership, our new chapter will be shaped by intention and commitment to inspiring preaching and teaching, inclusivity, intergenerational engagement, and outreach and collaboration within our faith community."

In addition to her pastoral experience, Rev. Gerald brings a wealth of expertise as a licensed mental health counselor, coach, and consultant. She emphasizes the integration of faith and mental health, stating, "I am a lifelong faith builder within the Christian community. As a mental health professional, I will continue to blend theological insight with an advocacy for mental health, social justice, and spiritual growth in my role as senior pastor."

Rev. Gerald has previously served as the Executive Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ, and she was a founding church planter of Kingdom Church in Ewing, NJ, a multi-site church that grew to over 6,000 members under the leadership of Dr. Dharius Daniels. She is also the founder and CEO of Momentum Counseling and Consulting, LLC, a practice dedicated to holistic wellness in diverse communities.

Her other notable accomplishments include her collaboration with Dr. Peter Parish on a radio segment titled "The Love Ethic of Dr. Martin Luther King for the Millennium" and her involvement with the Urban Ministry Initiative at Princeton Theological Seminary. Her global and local impact, including her survival of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, has earned her congressional commendations.

The First Baptist Church of Princeton is guided by its mission statement: "We are the Church with Open Doors, Where Hearts are Healed, Souls are Saved, and God is Praised!"

Community members are invited to join this momentous occasion as the First Baptist Church of Princeton welcomes Rev. Maureen Gerald to her new leadership role.  In anticipation of a large turnout for the service, it will be held at Stone Hill Church of Princeton.

For more information, please visit http://www.maureengerald.com/

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