Our Leadership

  Henry is married to Angela, and they have four children: Parris (Allison); Amber; Lauren & Kyle, and six grandchildren. 

Henry has served in the Gospel preaching ministry since 1980. He is currently the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Malvern, Ohio, where he has served now since July 21st, 1996, now in his twenty-seventh year. 

First Baptist Church is a predominantly African American church ministry, trusting Christ to reach a predominantly Appalachian community. Like any ministry with challenges, First Baptist Church is a steady instrument of Christ in its community, learning to love, loving to learn, and growing in ministry.

His biblical education comes from attending Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, Ashland Theological Seminary, Cleveland State University extension, Maranatha Institute of the Bible, Cleveland, Ohio, and The Moody Bible Institute, Cleveland Extension. Pastor Henry is a verse-by-verse bible expositor, holding firm to the gospel, and faithfully teaching the whole counsel of God’s Word, in the hope of seeing God’s Word transform lives into mature believers. He has taught numerous workshops with the Ohio Christian Education Association and with Black Renaissance Ministries.

Pastor Payden is also a soloist and has written songs, releasing a CD in 2013 entitled “Winning Follows Me”. He currently is a baritone with both the Akron Symphony Chorus and Gospel Meets Symphony. 

Pastor Payden, Jr. is a Cleveland, Ohio native and graduate of John Adams High School, currently residing in West Akron, Ohio.

Bernie has served in ministry for more than forty years as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon, and Trustee and for the past thirty-five (35) years as an ordained Minister at First Baptist Church of Malvern, OH. 

Bernie has also taught mid-week Bible classes, Child Evangelism classes, and directed a Teen and Children’s Center and an Annual 3-day Church Camp. Bernie wrote and implemented a program of interdiction for several members of FBCM who were under court jurisdiction.

Bernie attended Moody Bible Institute Evening and correspondence schools (Scofield Bible Course). Bernie is the son of Deacon William and Mary Newsome, both deceased. 

A native of Malvern and a graduate of Malvern High School. Bernie currently resides in Plain Twp. (Canton, OH) with his wife of forty-two (42) years. They have two adult children.