Our Pastor
Introducing Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes, Senior Pastor He is married to retired pharmacist Anne Marie Fowlkes and has seven adult children, one of whom is deceased.
Ministerial Experience and Education
Professional and Pastoral Roles
Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes is retired from GE Aviation Company. His ministry journey includes serving as Interim Minister for the Victoria Chapel in Springfield, PA. Before joining Union Baptist, he was a member and Associate Minister at New Mt Olive Baptist Church in Wilmington, DE, under the leadership of Rev. Lavina J. Smith. He also served as an Associate Minister and leadership team member at New Direction Bible Fellowship in Wilmington, DE, where Rev. Tony H. Benson Sr. is the senior pastor. In these ministries, Rev. Fowlkes’s responsibilities encompassed teaching Sunday morning classes, leading Bible Studies, and preaching as assigned by the Pastor. From 2005 to September 2010, he held the position of Pastor of Discipleship at Alpha Worship Center. Following his tenure at Alpha, Rev. Fowlkes was called to serve as Interim Pastor at Victoria Baptist Church (now Victoria Chapel) in Springfield, PA, where he ministered for four years.
Ordination and Licensing
Rev. Fowlkes was ordained through the New Hope Baptist Association of Pennsylvania in December 1998 at the request of the late Rev. Dr. Levi B. Baldwin Jr., Senior Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Twin Oaks, PA. Additionally, Dr. Baldwin Jr. licensed him to the gospel ministry.
Academic Background
Rev. Fowlkes is a graduate of New Calvary School of Ministry, an affiliate of the Accrediting Commission International for Schools (ACI) in Wilmington, DE, where he earned a Master of Biblical Studies. He also graduated from Trinity Bible College and Seminary in Newburgh, IN with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Theology. His academic preparation includes completion of the Family Counseling program at the Christian Research and Development Institute (CRD) in Philadelphia, PA. His educational journey began at Chester High School in Chester, PA, followed by studies at Widener University in Chester, PA; Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington and Stanton, DE; and The Truth Bible Institute in Belvedere, DE.
Certifications
He holds Certifications in Church Ministry from the Evangelical Training Association and Marriage and Family Counseling certification from the Family Life Training Institute of the Christian Research and Development Institute in Philadelphia.
Ministry Vision and Core Beliefs
Passion for Teaching
Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes’s foremost passion is teaching. He is deeply convinced that God has called the church to pursue the lost, make disciples, and instruct the body of Christ. Rev. Fowlkes emphasizes that these objectives are accomplished through faithful teaching of the Word of God, referencing Matthew 28:19-20 and Ephesians 4:11-15. He cites Hosea 4:6 to highlight the necessity of knowledge, affirming that God’s people are destroyed for lack of it.
Vision for a Balanced Church
Rev. Fowlkes envisions a church that maintains balance, making the Word of God its top priority alongside praise and worship. He asserts that ministry must avoid focusing exclusively on outreach to the lost while neglecting the spiritual growth of believers, or conversely, turning inward and forgetting those outside the church. In his view, internal training and outreach programs should be given equal importance to ensure a healthy, thriving congregation.
Commitment to God’s Will and Spiritual Gifts
His approach is to seek God’s will first in all things. Secondly, he aims to use the teaching, preaching, and leadership gifts God has granted him to serve a congregation that genuinely desires to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Recognizing Challenges Facing the Church
Rev. Fowlkes believes that the Bible clearly teaches the church has an adversary—the devil—who acts as a roaring lion seeking to devour. He warns that the enemy will create division, hurt, and pain within the church wherever possible, and identifies this as perhaps the greatest challenge congregations face today. In addition, he sees apathy as a significant problem, particularly when churches fail to reach out to the youth in their communities. Without intentional engagement, congregations decline as members age and the next generation is not raised up to continue the ministry. He notes that some older members feel their contributions are complete and that the youth should assume leadership, but if there are no youth, the church cannot continue.
Encouraging Intergenerational Ministry
To address these issues, Rev. Fowlkes refers to Paul’s instructions in Titus chapter 2, emphasizing that older men and women should serve as examples for younger generations. By teaching young men and women to be faithful spouses and sober minded individuals, the church can foster continuity and spiritual growth.
Life Scripture
Rev. Fowlkes’s guiding scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This verse undergirds his ministry philosophy and daily walk with God.
Ministerial Experience and Education
Professional and Pastoral Roles
Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes is retired from GE Aviation Company. His ministry journey includes serving as Interim Minister for the Victoria Chapel in Springfield, PA. Before joining Union Baptist, he was a member and Associate Minister at New Mt Olive Baptist Church in Wilmington, DE, under the leadership of Rev. Lavina J. Smith. He also served as an Associate Minister and leadership team member at New Direction Bible Fellowship in Wilmington, DE, where Rev. Tony H. Benson Sr. is the senior pastor. In these ministries, Rev. Fowlkes’s responsibilities encompassed teaching Sunday morning classes, leading Bible Studies, and preaching as assigned by the Pastor. From 2005 to September 2010, he held the position of Pastor of Discipleship at Alpha Worship Center. Following his tenure at Alpha, Rev. Fowlkes was called to serve as Interim Pastor at Victoria Baptist Church (now Victoria Chapel) in Springfield, PA, where he ministered for four years.
Ordination and Licensing
Rev. Fowlkes was ordained through the New Hope Baptist Association of Pennsylvania in December 1998 at the request of the late Rev. Dr. Levi B. Baldwin Jr., Senior Pastor of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Twin Oaks, PA. Additionally, Dr. Baldwin Jr. licensed him to the gospel ministry.
Academic Background
Rev. Fowlkes is a graduate of New Calvary School of Ministry, an affiliate of the Accrediting Commission International for Schools (ACI) in Wilmington, DE, where he earned a Master of Biblical Studies. He also graduated from Trinity Bible College and Seminary in Newburgh, IN with a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Theology. His academic preparation includes completion of the Family Counseling program at the Christian Research and Development Institute (CRD) in Philadelphia, PA. His educational journey began at Chester High School in Chester, PA, followed by studies at Widener University in Chester, PA; Delaware Technical Community College in Wilmington and Stanton, DE; and The Truth Bible Institute in Belvedere, DE.
Certifications
He holds Certifications in Church Ministry from the Evangelical Training Association and Marriage and Family Counseling certification from the Family Life Training Institute of the Christian Research and Development Institute in Philadelphia.
Ministry Vision and Core Beliefs
Passion for Teaching
Rev. Ronald W. Fowlkes’s foremost passion is teaching. He is deeply convinced that God has called the church to pursue the lost, make disciples, and instruct the body of Christ. Rev. Fowlkes emphasizes that these objectives are accomplished through faithful teaching of the Word of God, referencing Matthew 28:19-20 and Ephesians 4:11-15. He cites Hosea 4:6 to highlight the necessity of knowledge, affirming that God’s people are destroyed for lack of it.
Vision for a Balanced Church
Rev. Fowlkes envisions a church that maintains balance, making the Word of God its top priority alongside praise and worship. He asserts that ministry must avoid focusing exclusively on outreach to the lost while neglecting the spiritual growth of believers, or conversely, turning inward and forgetting those outside the church. In his view, internal training and outreach programs should be given equal importance to ensure a healthy, thriving congregation.
Commitment to God’s Will and Spiritual Gifts
His approach is to seek God’s will first in all things. Secondly, he aims to use the teaching, preaching, and leadership gifts God has granted him to serve a congregation that genuinely desires to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Recognizing Challenges Facing the Church
Rev. Fowlkes believes that the Bible clearly teaches the church has an adversary—the devil—who acts as a roaring lion seeking to devour. He warns that the enemy will create division, hurt, and pain within the church wherever possible, and identifies this as perhaps the greatest challenge congregations face today. In addition, he sees apathy as a significant problem, particularly when churches fail to reach out to the youth in their communities. Without intentional engagement, congregations decline as members age and the next generation is not raised up to continue the ministry. He notes that some older members feel their contributions are complete and that the youth should assume leadership, but if there are no youth, the church cannot continue.
Encouraging Intergenerational Ministry
To address these issues, Rev. Fowlkes refers to Paul’s instructions in Titus chapter 2, emphasizing that older men and women should serve as examples for younger generations. By teaching young men and women to be faithful spouses and sober minded individuals, the church can foster continuity and spiritual growth.
Life Scripture
Rev. Fowlkes’s guiding scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” This verse undergirds his ministry philosophy and daily walk with God.