The Reverend Miriam Méndez, American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ) Executive Minister and Senior Regional Pastor, is pleased to announce that Reverend Doctor Carol Lynn Patterson has been called to join the regional ministry team as a full-time Associate Regional Pastor. Dr. Patterson assumed her responsibilities in October 7, 2019.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Pastor Patterson is a preacher, teacher, leader, administrator and advocate for justice and equality. She brings extensive experience in ministry development and leadership development to the Region, along with a commitment to connecting multi-ethnic and multicultural communities for the cause of Christ. She has served in pastoral ministry for 15 years leading in small, medium and large congregations. Rev. Patterson has been blessed to preach the gospel internationally on foreign missions trips to Bermuda, Haiti and Kenya.

Prior to coming to ABCNJ, Dr. Patterson directed the Doctor of Ministry Program at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, where she helped pastors and preachers sharpen their skills in the disciplines of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Prophetic Urban Ministry, and Transformational Preaching. An adjunct professor of theology and philosophy fueled by a passion for evangelism, ecumenism and interfaith dialog, Dr. Patterson’s scholarship is in service to bridging the gap between Communities of Faith and the Academy.

Pastor Patterson earned a Master of Divinity degree at Drew Theological School, a Master of Theology degree in New Testament Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew. Her doctoral project-thesis, Gathered for Worship and Word: Scattered to Witness to the World, focuses on FRANgelism - lifestyle evangelism within the believers’ sphere of influence to friends, relatives, associates and neighbors.

Rev. Dr. Patterson is happy to bring her creative approach to multicultural ministry to one of the American Baptist Churches most diverse regions, New Jersey, along with her desire to partner with pastors and people to build faithful, healthy and whole churches that are deeply rooted in Christ’s mission and love.

Contact Information

Associate Regional Pastor Carol Lynn Patterson can be reached via email cpatterson@abcnj.net or phone (609) 587-8700 ext. 103