Reverend Dr. Samuel & Lola Simpson, Pastor & First Lady

Reverend Dr. Samuel Simpson, Pastor of the Bronx Baptist Church (since 1964) and Wake Eden Community Baptist Church (since 1972) in the Bronx was born in Jamaica W.I. He relocated to the United States in the early sixties. He is married to the formed Lola Campbell and has three children (Erica, Stephen, and Kim) and five grandchildren. He has been a long time resident of the Bronx.

Ordained at Evergreen Baptist Church in 1963, Revevered Simpson is well known in the Bronx and the West Indian communities throughout the State and beyond. He is fondly referred to as the "Bishop of the Bronx." He is a firm believer in serving the total person and has worked tirelessly to demonstrate and promote that concept within his congregations and in the community.

He received his Master of Professional Studies from New York Theological Seminary, was a Merrill Fellow at Harvard Divinity School; Senior Common Fellow—Regents Park College, Oxford University; and received Honorary Doctorates from Asia Bible College and Martha’s Vineyard Theological Seminary.

In addition to leading the Bronx and Wake Eden congregations, Rev. Simpson has been instrumental in starting Protestant Community Church in the North Bronx, the Honeywell Baptist Chapel, and New Hope Mission in Spring Valley, NY. Grace Baptist Chapel in the northern section of the Bronx is also an off shoot of Bronx Baptist Church.

Rev. Simpson also communicates his strong belief in helping people via the media, and currently writes a weekly column for the Carib News, New York. Periodically has been heard on Family Radio and has been the subject of many articles and two books: "What God did for Me" and "Sam Simpson, Architect of Hope." Most recently he has authored the book, "To Dream the Impossible Dream."

He is a founding member of the Bronx Shepherds Restoration Corporation and the Clergy Coalition of the 47th Precinct and has served as president of both groups. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Council of Churches of the Chity of New York and served as the twice elected president of the Baptist Convention of New York.

His awards and recognitions have been numerous, and has received a proclamation from Congressman Elliot Engle.

Dr. Simpson is known as a man of faith, vision, and integrity.

Reverend Frank Williams has been a member of the Bronx Baptist Church for over fifteen years, and currently serves as Assistant Pastor. There he met his wife-to-be, Tisha - the two were married in May 2006 and in May 2008 were blessed with their first child - a son named Timothy.

Originally from the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies, Frank, migrated to the Bronx in the early 1980’s. He completed his undergraduate degree in Computer Information Science. It was in his junior year of college that he surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and shortly thereafter began attending the Bronx Baptist Church. Having sensed a call to the ministry for some time, in 1997, Frank decided to enroll at New York Theological Seminary. After completing a four-year program, he graduated in May 2001 with a Masters of Divinity degree.

Frank was licensed to preach on September 30, 2001. On October 6, 2002 he was ordained to the Christian ministry. He preaches and teaches at local churches, retreats, and community outreach events. He has also led church Bible studies, Youth Bible Drill, organized retreats and weekly youth programs, facilitated an Experiencing God course, and directed Vacation Bible School programs.

Over the years, Frank has served the Metropolitan New York Baptist Association (MNYBA) by serving on the former MNYBA Youth Leadership Team, on the New Hope New York Prayer Strategy Team, and more recently as the MNYBA vice-Moderator and Moderator. He also served as the Interim Executive Director for two years and currently serves as Central Region Coordinator for the MNYBA.

Frank has also served on the Baptist Convention of New York Executive Board for two terms was the 2007 BCNY Annual Meeting Conference Preacher.

Frank purposes to use his gifts to help inspire, educate and impact others with the Word of God.