John K. Jenkins Sr.

Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. has been preaching the Good News since becoming a licensed minister in 1973 at 15 years old. From an early age, he developed a love for the Lord and felt called to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

His pastoral journey began in February 1987 as the senior pastor at Union Bethel Church in King George, Va. His nearly three years of pastoring proved to be the training ground for his upcoming assignment. In October of 1988, Pastor Jenkins learned of the passing of his mentor and pastor of his home church, the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Dr. John W. Johnson.  

One year after Dr. Johnson’s passing, Pastor Jenkins returned to First Baptist to become the seventh shepherd. The fruit of his biblically based teaching is demonstrated in the growth of its church membership between its two campuses located in Landover and Upper Marlboro, Md. He has also overseen the development of the church’s thriving online campus.  

Under the leadership of Pastor Jenkins, First Baptist founded SHABACH! Ministries, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 arm of the church in 1996. Today, he serves as chairman emeritus for SMI, which provides clothing, food, education and other resources in the Washington, D.C. area.