On September 8-10, 2023, First Baptist Church of Englewood, New Jersey, Bergen County, New Jersey, will install and celebrate a historic moment if the life of the church – our 7th Pastor, the first African American Women Pastor in the church and the first African American Women Baptist Pastor in Englewood, NJ.
Pastor Elect Reverend Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah, affectionately known as “Rev. O.” was born in Mount Vernon, New York to John and Lois Powell. She is a pastor, preacher, chaplain, teacher, artist, writer, thinker, and dreamer who loves to study the Word of God, encourage others, and worship God.
She was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in June 2008 at the Bethesda Baptist Church of New Rochelle, NY under the leadership of the late Reverend Dr. Allen Paul Weaver, Jr. Rev. Owusu-Ansah was ordained to the Gospel ministry in August 2010 at Bethesda. She has served as the Assistant-to-the Pastor at the Bethesda Baptist Church, Chaplain at Haven Hospice located at JFK Medical Center (Hackensack Meridian Health) in Edison, NJ and Associate Minister of Church Life at the New Hope Baptist Church in Metuchen, NJ under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Ronald L. Owens.
Rev. Owusu-Ansah graduated from New York University in 1999 (Bachelor of Science) and Howard University in 2004 (Master of Fine Art, Photography). In 2007 she enrolled in the Theological School at Drew University and graduated at the top of her class in May 2010 (Master of Divinity). She also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education at JFK Medical Center in Edison, NJ.
Rev. Owusu-Ansah has always been interested in the creative power of words and the way in which words and stories can be used to bring forth new life, heal individuals, and grow communities. She is Founder and Creative Director of Inspiring Creativity Ministries. She is also the author of Loves…Regardless: Forty Devotions Inspired by Womanist Creative Thought and Theology and a contributing author in #MinistryThatImpacts: A Collection of Strategies to Create Ministries that Impact Congregations and Communities and the book She Is Called Women of the Bible Study Series (Volume 3) published by the Reformed Church Press.
Rev. Owusu-Ansah lives by Psalm 138:8, “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me…”. Rev. Owusu-Ansah preaches with conviction, teaches with clarity, and shepherds with compassion. We will celebrate this blessed occasion through fellowship, worship and with God’s Word. We anticipate the great future that God has in store for the First Baptist Church of Englewood under the leadership of the Rev. Donna Olivia Owusu-Ansah. To God be the Glory!
On Friday, September 8, 2023 an Installation Banquet is being held at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ, at First Baptist Church of Englewood (351 West Englewood Avenue, Englewood, NJ) on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m., the Act of Installation and September 10, 2023, our Installation Worship Services at 10:30 a.m. with our newly installed Pastor.In 1893, the First Baptist Church was established in Englewood, New Jersey.
The Church is a member of New Jersey Convention of Progressive Baptist (NJCPB), and the American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ). For information about the installation weekend, please contact the Installation Committee at: FBCInstallation 2023@gmail.com or call the FBC church office.