Our Senior Pastor

REV. DR. DREW KYNDALL ROSS, “Pastor Drew,” is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He is the only child of Terri D. Ross. He accepted Jesus Christ at age 10 at Shiloh Christian Community Church, where Reverend Jimmy C. Baldwin, Sr. is the Pastor. Under the leadership of Pastor Baldwin, Dr. Ross accepted his call to preach in December 2001 at age 14. He was licensed to preach in February 2004 at age 17 and ordained to the Gospel Ministry in June 2010 at age 24. Dr. Ross served as the Founding Senior Pastor of Resurrection Church in Pikesville, Maryland, from 2011-2018. On December 9, 2018, by the unanimous vote of the congregation, he was called to serve as the 8th Senior Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack, New Jersey. In 2023, New Hope became “one church in two locations,” serving Hackensack, NJ, and West Orange, NJ.

Having a passion for education and preparation, Dr. Ross has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Richmond Virginia Seminary. Also, he earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where he received the Dr. John W. Kinney Dean’s Scholarship. On July 21, 2017, Dr. Ross successfully defended his doctoral dissertation earning his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in African American Church Growth from Ashland Theological Seminary at Ashland University. While at Ashland, he received an Academic Seminary Scholarship and the Church Match Scholarship Grant. Dr. Ross is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Preaching at Anderson University.

Dr. Ross has earned credits in the Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) program at Evangelical Seminary in the Semiotics and Spirit (Pneumatic Theology) track under the tutelage of Dr. Leonard Sweet. He has also earned credits in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of Maryland University College.

Dr. Ross served as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theology in Master of Arts in Religious Studies (M.A.), Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) programs. His teaching experience, primarily at Unification Theological Seminary, included classes focusing on Systematic Theology, Black Theology, Moral Theology, and Practical Theology. He has chaired dissertation defenses, served as an advisor during the dissertation writing process, and chaired teaching committees. Dr. Ross is an advisor to students for Independent Study Classes and Projects. Additionally, he served as a Teaching Assistant in the Doctor of Ministry Degree (D.Min.) program in Prophetic Urban Ministry at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

A natural leader, Dr. Ross has served and led many corporate, civic, and community organizations. He served as the President of the Board of Directors for the Imperial Condominium. During his tenure as President, he led the condominium in the planning and completing a $400,000 renovation project. Currently, he serves within the Hackensack Community as the President of the Fellowship of Black Churches; a member of the Affirmative Action Committee for the Hackensack Public School System; a Board Member of the Center for Food Action; and a Board Member and Trustee of the Friends of the Johnson Public Library, Inc. Denominationally, he serves as the Moderator and Treasurer for the North New Jersey Baptist Association of American Baptist Churches of New Jersey.

In June 2016, he was privileged to preach as a new voice at the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference Late Night Preaching In The Round. Additionally, in April 2014, he served as the Ecumenical Service Preacher for the 82nd Annual Eastern Region Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. Aside from being a preacher, pastor, and professor, Dr. Ross is the CEO of Kingdom Graphic Design, LLC., a full-service graphic design and marketing company that serves churches and businesses across the Country.

Dr. Ross is the author of Overcome: A 90-Day Jump Start to Developing a Healthy Lifestyle. This book is the capstone project of his 100-pound weight loss journey that led to a change in his diet, discipline, and spiritual devotion. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, having served as Associate Chaplain for the Eastern Region.

*Please read the bolded text only when doing an introduction of Rev. Dr. Ross*