Dr. Joseph Marshall preaching

Our Pastor

Biography of Dr. Joseph L. Marshall

Pastor, Academician, Administrator, Public Theologian and Patriarch

Dr. Joseph L. Marshall was born on January 23, 1971, in Pensacola, Florida. On August 28, 1989, he joined the U. S. Navy serving 23 years.  He is a combat veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The highlight of his career was serving as a member of the U. S. Navy Blue Angels from January 1997 – January 1999.

Dr. Marshall was licensed on February 23, 1993, at First Community Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi and ordained on January 8, 1995 at the Englewood Missionary Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida.The Pastor

At 22, Dr. Marshall served as youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor.  At 24, Dr. Marshall started his Senior Pastorship serving as interim Pastor at Englewood Baptist Church which continued to grow and flourish at a phenomenal rate.  Thereafter, he served just shy of nine years as Senior Pastor of New Providence Missionary Baptist Church, Milton, Florida growing it into a vibrant and prosperous church financially, numerically and spiritually. Currently, Dr. Marshall serves as Pastor of St. John Divine Missionary Baptist Church, one of the largest African-American congregations in Pensacola, Florida and surrounding vicinity. The church has thrived under his leadership adding hundreds of new and active members and counting flourishing spiritually, financially, and congregational.

The Administrator

Dr. Marshall has provided leadership and management to the following organizations: Advisory Board Member – Sacred Heart Hospital (presently), Second Vice President – Florida Congress of Christian Education (presently), Chairman – Citizens Police Advisory Committee for the city of Pensacola, First Vice Moderator – First West Florida District Association, President – Baptist Ministers’ Union of Pensacola and Vicinity, Mayoral appointment to serve as council member of revitalization for The City of Pensacola, Board of Directors Florida General Baptist Convention, and served seven years Director General for the State of Florida where he worked directly with the President of the Florida General Baptist Congress of Christian Education.

The Academician

Dr. Marshall is scholastically well credentialed having received the Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Christian Life School of Theology (Columbus, Georgia), Bachelor of Science Social Science from Troy University, Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Faith Evangelical Seminary (Tacoma, Washington), Master of Divinity from Liberty University (Lynchburg, Virginia), an earned Doctor of Ministry(D.Min.) degree from Luther Rice University and Seminary (Atlanta, Georgia). Lastly, an earned Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership Anderson University (Anderson, South Carolina).

The Patriarch

Joseph is married to the lovely Terri Farrow-Marshall and the father of three children: Jocelyn, Joseph, and Jordyn. Dr. Marshall is an active member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (the Boule’) and Pensacola Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Though grateful for all that God has done, I am humble and submissive, understanding that all I have achieved is nothing unless my relationship with God is maintained and cultivated with continued passion and purpose.”

Dr. Joseph L. Marshall