Reverend Dr. Alonzo Perry, Sr. is a native of Asbury Park, NJ. He has served as pastor of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Jersey City, NJ since November 1997. He is a graduate of Jersey City State College in Jersey City, NJ where he received the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. He received the Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry degree from Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana. He earned a Ph.D. in Christian Management and Leadership from Trinity, graduating with highest distinction. He received an honorary doctorate from St. Thomas Christian University, Jacksonville, FL.
Reverend Dr. Perry received the call to ministry and was licensed to preach the gospel in 1984. He was ordained in 1987 under the pastorate of Rev. James N. Williams. In 1996, Reverend Dr. Perry became New Hope's first Business Administrator. On July 29, 1997, he was called to pastor the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. He was installed as the third pastor of the church on November 30, 1997 Rev. Dr. Perry has instituted an 8:00 AM worship service, and started the Praise Dance ministry. He formed New Hope, ETC, a community development corporation which seeks to improve the lives of families and children. Over 30 ministries have been added to the church. Pastor Perry is in great demand as a conference speaker and facilitator.
In 2007 Rev. Dr. Perry launched a new initiative called Church on the Edge, which is now known as ELEVATE, it continues to creatively reach out to young people age 18 – 35. He revamped the Adult Sunday School division to include the offering of elective courses using a semester system. In July of 2015 the church started a Bible Institute certified by the Evangelical Teacher Training Institute. He has merged the use of technology and dynamic teaching tools in the church. Rev. Dr. Perry has recently instituted a Ministers Training Group to mentor and help prepare young preachers for the challenges of ministry. In addition, he led the church through the total renovation and refurbishing of the church sanctuary and education building. The church has completed Phase I of construction by completely renovating the front steps and entry way to the church. The church has recently remodeled its restroom facilities.
Rev. Dr. Perry continues to push New Hope to remain relevant while speaking to the needs of the people. He is known for preaching an uncompromising Gospel while still loving the people. The church has recently started a new ministry called New Hope Foreign Mission. This ministry’s goal is to have a global witness for Jesus. The ministry helps sister churches in Haiti, Dominica, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. It is a call for the local church to have a global impact. New Hope Home & Foreign Missions also runs the Adopt a Student program which sponsors students in Haiti. Since 2014 the Adopt a Student program has paid for tuition, uniforms, and birthday gifts to over 200 students in two schools in Haiti.
Rev. Dr. Perry believes the vision for New Hope is to become a strong church that preaches and teaches salvation and liberation of the whole man. His favorite passage is Isaiah 6:1-8 where God fills the temple with His presence. When asked what he would most like to do, he noted that he simply wants to add value to people’s lives. He wants to help people to be better.
Reverend Dr. Perry is happily married to the lovely Brenda Brown Perry. They have three children, Alonzo, Jr., Danielle Jillian, and Giselle Elise. Reverend Dr. Perry is an avid reader. He enjoys going to the theater, and he loves to travel.