Our Pastor

Pastor John L. Caldwell is a native of Durham, NC, and was educated in the Durham City Schools. He received a B.S. Degree in Construction Engineering from Hampton University in 1962, and a Master's Degree in Social Policy and Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1970.

He was ordained in the ministry at Union Baptist Church, Durham, NC in the East Cedar Grove Association in 1970. He received theological ministerial and pastoral training from 1968 to 1978 under the leadership of his pastor, the late Dr. Grady D. Davis, Professor of Psychology and Religion, Shaw University.  He has completed studies in Pastoral Psychology and Biblical Counselling at UNC Chapel Hill and Southeastern Seminary, respectfully.

He served as a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1966, and is a Vietnam Veteran (enlisted service 1955 – 1963 active/reserve). He served on the N.C. Baptist Men Board (7 years) and the board of the Institute of Human Research in the department of Public Health, UNC, Chapel Hill (5 years). He retired as an Airport Project Engineer with the NC Department of Transportation, Division of Aviation.  Pastor Caldwell is a commercially rated pilot and a certified scuba diver.  He loves teaching the Bible, traveling, swimming, and maintaining his 1946 Ford hot rod.

Rev. Caldwell is presently the Pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Cathedral in Durham. His previous pastorates were New St. James, Timberlake, NC, and St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Durham, NC.   He and his wife, Brenda, have a blend of six adult children.