Rev. Dr. Kirk T. Houston, Sr., Senior Pastor

The Reverend Dr. Kirk T. Houston, Sr. is the founder and senior pastor of the Gethsemane Community Fellowship Baptist Church located in Norfolk, VA. A ministry he has proudly led for over 30 years.

A highly respected community leader, Dr. Houston is one who truly leads by service to others. Pastor Houston has a heart for the community and has served on many boards. Among his many obligations, he passionately serves as the Chaplain to the City of Norfolk’s Sheriff’s Office, Chairman of the Norfolk Jail Ministry’s Board of Directors, and Chairman of the Garden of Hope Community Development Corporation Board of Directors. He is also the author of “The Church’s Return Policy: Equipping the Church to Minister to Ex-offenders.”

Possessing a strong passion for issues of personal and spiritual development, Dr. Houston has committed his life to improving the quality of human life through programs and services that serve disenfranchised individuals, families and communities. He is also a certified leadership trainer with Leadership Training International (LTI) and a frequent lecturer in leadership and organizational development.

Dr. Houston holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio; as well as a Masters of Divinity degree from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at the historical Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA.

Dr. Houston is a native of South Florida, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and he and his wife, Sharon, are the proud parents of one son, Rev. Kirk T. Houston Jr. and one daughter, Sharonja Houston; and the grateful grandparents of one granddaughter (Jsyiah) and three grandsons (Kirk III, Max and Marc).