our team

Pastor Jason & Lady Asia Goubourn

Lead Pastor & First Lady

Pastor Jason was born and raised in New Haven, CT. Pastor Jason received a degree in secondary education and served as an educator in the New Haven public school system before being trained and answering his call to full time ministry. After being licensed by Church on the Rock and ordained under the leadership of Pastors Todd and Leslie Foster, Pastor Jason served simultaneously as both youth and praise & worship pastor here at Church on the Rock. The XL Youth Ministry saw exponential growth under his leadership as youth pastor and as worship pastor God used him to lead COTR and thousands of others in heartfelt praise in venues such as Shubert Theatre, Oakdale Theatre, Bridgeport Arena, and Trinity Broadcast Network’s “Praise the Lord”.  As the Lead Pastor, God has blessed Pastor Jason with over 13 years of ministry leadership experience and a powerful vision for Church on the Rock and the city of New Haven. He leads the congregation toward that vision using biblically based and Christ centered teachings that are both practical and engaging.

Lady Asia is the proud wife of Pastor Jason and is the founder of My Daughter’s Keeper Ministries, a non-denominational Christian ministry that desires to equip mothers and daughters from all walks of life with biblically sound tools needed to restore hope and bridge the spiritual gap between them. Lady Asia has over 13 years of ministry leadership experience and has served for many years alongside her husband as the heads of the XL Youth Ministry. She is currently head of COTR Up Reach ministries and also leads Elevation Groups and the women’s ministry. Lady Asia is also an Educational Consultant and Adjunct Professor at Mercy College in New York City. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education. Together Pastor Jason and Lady Asia are the proud parents of three children.

 

Pastor James and Gail Roundtree

Up-Reach Pastors

Pastor James, a long time New Haven resident, has been a member of Church on the Rock since its very beginning. Pastor James has faithfully led our outreach team, sanctuary ministry, security, sound team, and men’s ministry. He currently leads the Prison Ministry where he goes into the Cheshire Correctional Facility to share the light and hope of Jesus Christ to those currently incarcerated. Having reached many hearts with the gospel of Jesus Christ both here at Church on the Rock and around the world in countries such as Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Peru he and his wife Evangelist Gail have seen many lives changed, families restored, and hope renewed as a result of their desire to be used by God and see God’s will be done in the lives of all people. Together Pastor James and Evangelist Gail lead our Marriage Ministry and do much of our pre-marital counseling.

Gail is the Administrative Assistant of our lead pastor and is a licensed evangelist through COTR. Pastor James holds a Theology Degree from Christian Life School of Theology. Together they are proud parents of 4 children, 19 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Pastor Douglas & Lynn Kearse

Outreach Pastors

Rev. Dr. D. Keith Kearse received his Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the Florida Atlantic University.  In 1988 he earned the Master of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and later earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from that same seminary.

Dr. Kearse has served as the Senior Pastor of N Street Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky and the Macedonia Baptist Church in Heathsville, Virginia. He has also served as an Associate Minister at The First Cathedral, where he taught Biblical Hermeneutics and Exegesis for the Ministers in Training and a class called “The Making of a Leader” for the ministers at The First Cathedral.  Dr. Kearse was also an instructor in The First Cathedral’s New England School of Ministry.  Later, Dr. Kearse was called to pastor the Union Temple Baptist Church in New Haven, CT.  In 2011, Dr. Kearse and his family were led to Church on the Rock in New Haven, CT, where he currently serves as pastor of evangelism.

Dr. Kearse is happily married to Min. Deborah Lynn Kearse, who graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a B.A. in English Language and Literature. After working as a research assistant at the Library of Congress for 2 years, Min. Kearse later graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law and currently works at a law firm in New Haven, CT.  She also teaches and serves as the keyboardist for Heart of Worship at Church on the Rock. Dr. Kearse and Lynn are the grateful parents of five children and the grandfather of six.

Chris & Fola Bamgboye

Up-Reach Lay Leaders

 Chris & Fola Bamgboye are Up-Reach Lay Leaders here at Church on the Rock and have been faithful members since 2003.  In addition to serving as lay leaders, you will also find them leading ministry trainings, leading intercessory prayer meetings, giving financial advice, and being warm and welcoming faces in our community.  They are also the proud parents of David, Lizabeth, and Rebecca Bamgboye. 

Edwin & Rosa Rodriguez

Outreach Lay Leaders

Edwin and Rosa Rodriguez, long time New Haven residents, have been married since 1990 and have two young adult children, Edwin Jr and Celeste.

Rosa serves in several different ministries: Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Care Group, Drama Ministry, Elevation group facilitator and Medical Ministry. Edwin serves in the Boys 2 Men and Gang of Dads mentoring ministries, Altar Ministry, Drama Ministry, Care Group, and the Praise & Worship Team.

Charles & Ulari Dike

In-Reach Ministry Lay Leaders

Charles & Ulari are In-Reach Ministry Lay Leaders at Church on the Rock.  They have been faithful members since 2003, serving in multiple ministries such as Boys 2 Men mentoring, Daughters of Hope mentoring, and serving as hostess on Sunday mornings.  Charles and Ulari and the proud parents of Goz and Uluchi Dike.  

Tobi & Modupe Oshin

in-reach lay leaders

Tobi & Modupe are In-Reach Lay Leaders at Church on the Rock.  They have been faithful members since 2002, serving in multiple ministries such as Boys 2 Men mentoring, Daughters of Hope mentoring, dance ministry, and the usher ministry on Sunday mornings.  Tobi and Modupe and the proud parents of Tolani and Loladae Oshin.

Brian & Beth Schmidt

 Outreach Lay Leaders

Brian Schmidt came to Connecticut in 1987 to attend the Yale University School of Art. After receiving his MFA in Painting, he stayed on and was hired by the School to work in the Finance Office.  In 2008, he met and married his beautiful wife Beth.  Brian has had the privilege of serving in the Men’s Ministry and Elevation Group Ministry.

Beth, a current medical student, is a dedicated member of the praise and worship team and a committed Sunday School teacher.  Together they share their passion for spending the gospel of Jesus Christ through international missions.  As you walk throughout the church, you will find is artwork that focuses on praising God
and prayer.

Sandra Richardson

administrative assistant

Sandra has been an active member of Church on the Rock-New Haven since its conception. Sandra started working for Church on the Rock-New Haven in August of 2000 as Administrative Assistant. Sandra lovingly shares foundational biblical truths with new believers and sets them on their journey through the discipleship process through her work with the altar ministry. God has also given Sandra a passion to help those who have suffered loss effectively navigate through the grieving process and experience the fullness of the joy of Christ as our Grief Share facilitator.

Sandra is married to her husband Roderick
for 27 years. Roderick and Sandra are proud parents of  4 children, 9 great-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Pastors Todd & Leslie Foster

pastors Emeritus

Emeritus is an honorary title bestowed upon one who has retired from a position as a way of honoring the individual’s service. Pastors Todd and Leslie Foster served as our senior pastor and co pastor for 27 years and we continue to honor them for their dedication to Church on the Rock.

Together, they brought to the ministry his 12 years as a manager at SNET and her 12 years as a public school teacher in both the Hamden and New Haven school systems.  Pastor Todd was the chairman on the inaugural Board of Directors for Teen Challenge — New Haven, Inc.. He also chaired the New Haven committee for Mission Connecticut with Luis Palau. He was co-founder of New Haven 828, a local clergy coalition and the founder of the New Haven Help Alliance, a 501c3 organization whose mission involves issues of poverty relief and the the betterment of local youth.

Pastor Leslie left her public school teaching position for the co-pastorate role at COTR. She brought much compassion, wisdom and practical experience to the oversight of the church. In addition to normal sacerdotal duties, Pastor Leslie oversaw personnel administration at COTR. She also coordinated a myriad of women’s ministries and activities for the church.

Contact Us

A: 95 Hamilton Street
New Haven, CT 06511
P: 203.498.2687
F: 203-773-9033
E: info@rocknewhaven.org

 

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