Reverend Dr. Marilyn Monroe Harris, D.Min.
Reverend Harris is the fifth Pastor and the first female Pastor of First Baptist Church of Teaneck in Teaneck, New Jersey. She was licensed to preach in 1995 by Mount Olive Baptist Church in Hackensack, New Jersey under the pastorate of the Reverend Gregory J. Jackson, Senior Pastor and ordained to the gospel ministry in 2000 by Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey under the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. M. William Howard, Jr.
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Reverend Harris’ experience has been shaped by a history of involvement and leadership in professional, community and religious organization to which she brings a unique blend of faith and personal commitment. As a leader, preacher and teacher, she has initiated and implemented a number of ministries, which reflect the diverse membership of First Baptist Teaneck and the community-at-large. She is a visionary who believes that God has a purpose and call for every living soul from the youngest to the eldest. It is her desire to promote an environment of health, hope and healing for all. Through her leadership, First Baptist Church of Teaneck continues to prosper as they are “Communing with Christ, Developing Disciple and Transforming Lives!”
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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 the founder and creator of the Christian Women’s Alliance which allows clergy women to come together in a safe environment to grow and bond together as Women in the Clergy. 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 the Vice President of Community Relations at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. She is humbled to currently serve as 1st Vice President, United Missionary Baptist Convention State of New Jersey and 2nd Vice Moderator North Jersey District Missionary Baptist Association, 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. She 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 Studies and Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary.
Reverend Harris has received many accolades and awards; the Executive Women of New Jersey 2016 Salute To The Policy Makers Award, Spring Valley Branch NAACP Woman of Distinction Award, 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. She is the first female African American Chaplain of the Teaneck Fire Department, founding member and Chaplain for Women of the Dream, Inc., but her greatest honor is the privilege to preach and teach the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Reverend Harris is a steadfast, devoted and faithful disciple of Christ who believes in the power of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.