Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Baber, Pastor/Author

Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Baber, son of Robert L. (deceased) and Eula M. Baber of Waxahachie, Texas is the youngest of five children.

Dr. Baber is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA degree in Criminology, a graduate of Virginia Union University School of Theology, Richmond Virginia where he earned his Master of Divinity degree and the Lancaster Theological Seminary Lancaster, PA where he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree on May 16, 2015.

Pastor Baber was licensed in 1980 and ordained in 1982 by the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Baber began his Pastoral Ministry in 1984 as the Pastor of The Second Baptist Church of Middletown, PA where he served for five years. In 1989, he was called to be the Assistant to the Pastor of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church; Harrisburg, PA and in 1990 served as Interim Pastor.

The Lord then led Pastor Baber to Steelton, PA in 1991 to become the Senior Pastor of The Turner Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. On June 1, 1998 by a unanimous vote, he became the first full-time pastor of the Turner Memorial Missionary Baptist Church.

In July of 2004, Pastor Baber was called to be the 10th Pastor of The Friendship Baptist Church; York, PA. On September 12, 2004, he assumed the pulpit of the Friendship Baptist Church.

In addition to being a full-time pastor, Pastor Baber serves as a certified instructor for The Central Baptist Association and the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention.

Pastor Baber is the former Moderator of the Central Baptist Association and the former Regional Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention.

Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Baber served as the Assistant Director of Outreach for the Community Action program of Lancaster, PA, Director of the Ex-offender program for the Urban League of Lancaster county, The Acting President of the Urban League, An Adult Probation and Parole Officer in Lancaster county, District Sales Manager for the Harrisburg Patriot News Company, and has taught in the West Shore, Harrisburg, and Steelton school districts.

Dr. Baber is the Author of “The Hurtful Use of Derogatory Language by Pastors about LGBTQ People in the Black Missionary Baptist Churches in the Central PA Region.”

Pastor Baber is an anointed man of God and a humble man. He draws others to him with his “down to earth” manner, infectious sense of humor, and his ability to meet folks where they are and bring out the God-given talents in them. God has equipped him with a natural gift for teaching individuals at all levels of spiritual growth, age, and gender.

Pastor Baber is married to the former Veda W. Cox. They are the proud parents of five children, Tiffany, Yolanda, Melanie, Danita, and Jeremy. In addition, they are blessed with eight grandchildren.