Rev. Dr. Arturo Pierre Lewis has been named the Senior Pastor at Emmanuel Church in Ridgewood, NJ. He succeeds Pastor Kenneth Gill who has retired after seven years of serving as Senior Pastor.
Pastor Lewis joined Emmanuel in November 2017 as an Associate Pastor. In that position, he focused on young adult and family ministries and discipleship, assisting with preaching and serving as a representative and advocate for Emmanuel’s ministry and outreach into the larger community. He is also the facilitator of monthly seminars for the Community Peace and Justice Network, which provides a sociological and historical approach to understanding the complexities of society. Pastor Lewis looks forward to his expanded role in leading Emmanuel into its future. As he states, “Helping people grow and develop is at the center of my life’s work. I’ve always had the privilege of working in diverse settings. Emmanuel provides me with another opportunity to collaborate with others as we evolve towards a community that welcomes everyone, a ‘Beloved Community’ where love guides our diversity and inclusivity.”
Pastor Lewis is an ordained American Baptist Churches USA Minister and completed his theological graduate work at Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees. Additionally, he earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Public Theology from Drew University Theological School. He is currently adjunct professor at William Paterson University where he teaches diversity courses, Social Problems and Principles of Sociology for the Sociology and Criminal Justice Department.
“Helping people grow and develop is at the center of my life’s work. I’ve always had the privilege of working in diverse settings. Emmanuel provides me with another opportunity to collaborate with others as we evolve towards a community that welcomes everyone, a ‘Beloved Community’ where love guides our diversity and inclusivity.”
Rev. Lewis has held senior pastor positions at other churches and worked as director of a mentoring program. He has also served as a life-coach, inspirational speaker and community activist with a particular passion for social justice issues. Dr. Lewis is a member of the Board of Directors at the Ridgewood YMCA. Rev. Lewis and his wife Debra Lewis are longtime Ridgewood residents, their son Dr. Demetrius Lewis attended Ridgewood Public Schools and is a 2007 RHS graduate.