Meet Our Pastor
Rev. James N. Preston was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised and educated in Rochester, N.Y. He attended Howard University and St. Jon Fisher College, before… Read More »Meet Our Pastor
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- Pastor James N. PrestonRev. James N. Preston was born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised and educated in Rochester, N.Y. He attended Howard University and St. Jon Fisher College, before making the decision to become a Funeral Director/Embalmer. Pastor Preston graduated from Simmons College of Mortuary Science in Syracuse, New York. He has been actively involved in funeral service since 1969 and currently owns and operates Preston Funeral Home in Phoenix with his wife Irene. Rev. Preston moved to Phoenix in 1982, where he accepted his calling to preach the gospel. On January 6, 1997, Pastor Preston was called to pastor Bethesda Community Baptist Church. On March 23, 1997 Rev. James Preston, with his wife Irene Preston, was installed as Pastor of Bethesda Community Baptist Church. In addition to serving in the ministry for over 22 years, Pastor Preston has also conducted grief support groups for over 20 years through his business, and considers it a tremendous blessing from God to have the opportunity to serve in the ministry of bereavement through his business as well.
- First Lady Irene PrestonFirst Lady Irene Preston was born, raised, and received her primary education in Rochester, New York. Lady P, as she is known affectionately, currently holds three degrees: an Associates of Arts, an Associates of Science in Mortuary Science, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. She is pleased to hold memberships in Epsilon Nu Delta Fraternity Inc., 100 Black Women in Funeral Service,and National Black Business Women,. First Lady Preston is no stranger to the demands of life. She graciously accepts the role of ministering wife, mother, grandmother, business owner, manager, care giver to her mother, and friend to many. She faithfully serves on variousboards throughout the community; one that is especially dear to her heart is the role of serving as advocate for Parents of Murdered Children. If you know her, you know why she favors that organization. First Lady Preston truly enjoys co-laborating with Pastor James N. Preston, as ministers to the grieving and also facilitating workshops wherever needed. This woman of God truly understands the meaning of the scripture that recites, ” To who much is given, much is required.”
- Church History“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.” (John 5:1-2a NKJV) “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called it’s name Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’” (1 Sam 7:12 NKJV) Pastor Wesley Jones, Sr. received a vision from God to begin a new church and to call this church Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (1 Sam 7:12). The first organizational meeting attended by Pastor Jones and several members was held on August 1, 1984 in the temporary worship location at Universal Sunset Funeral Chapel in Phoenix, Arizona. Groundbreaking day for Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church officially took place on May 18, 1986 at 906 E. Jones Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona; the first worship service in the new building was held on September 6, 1987. The church remained under the leadership of Pastor Jones until October 1, 1994, at which time the leadership was passed over to Rev. Victor A. Washington. The installation of Rev. Washington as Pastor of Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church was held on November 13, 1994. During his leadership, a…
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