Pastor Maxwell is a native of Atlanta, GA.  He is a 2002 Master of Divinity Graduate from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center – Atlanta, GA.  His other educational milestones include a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Education from Georgia Southern University (1997), Pastoral Counseling Certification from Emory University Health Care Center – Atlanta, GA (2001), and a Specialist Leadership in Educational Administration from Jacksonville State University (2004).  On July 7, 2011 he was selected as pastor of New Beech Grove Baptist Church.  Prior to moving to Newport News, VA Pastor Maxwell had a long successful career in the Atlanta Metropolitan school system as an educator, administrator, and principal.

While in the educational system, he remained faithful to his local church and ministry.  He served diligently as an Evangelism Coordinator at Greenforest Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA and Youth Pastor and Evangelism Coordinator at Good Hope Baptist Church in August, GA.  During his time as an evangelism coordinator, he focused his energy on the prison ministry and community organization.  In fact, while at Greenforest he served as the Resident Community Pastor and established relationships with the residents of the community, and local law enforcement. As a result, the community saw a decrease in car thefts, drugs, and violent crimes. 

Rev. Maxwell has a long history of service in the church and other community organizations. He is credited with facilitating positive relationships and improving moral attitudes in the communities through health fairs, college information sessions, live entertainment, etc. As a Youth Pastor and Evangelism Outreach Minister at Good Hope Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia the youth ministry witnessed substantial growth under his leadership. Remarkably, Rev. Maxwell attended and graduated from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center with a Master of Divinity degree in 2002 while driving back and forth from Atlanta to Augusta.

Pastor Maxwell is also an entrepreneur and educator. He previously served as the Headmaster of an Atlanta Metropolitan Christian Academy. Prior to this assignment, he served as a special education instructor, assistant principal of instruction, safety and discipline in one of the most culturally diverse counties in the nation where the student enrollment was more than 102,000 in 143 schools and centers. Aside from preaching and teaching, he holds a real estate broker’s license and uses his business and leadership skills to conduct workshops for churches and communities in the area of real estate investing, financial management, and community and economic development.

A respected musician and gospel comedian, he is often called upon to use his gifts of music and comedy at churches and especially youth conventions.  He is a certified chaplain through Emory University and a Silver Lifetime Member of the NAACP.  His experience and work in the educational system and in various ministries prepared him for his transition into pastoring.  He is an effective leader and understands that ministry is about serving others.  He is positive and passionate about this next chapter as pastor of NBG.  He has a humble spirit and it shows through his selfless acts and courageous leadership.  Pray for Pastor Maxwell and the church as he concentrates on guiding the church into outreach and spiritual maturity.

Teaching, Preaching, Serving!

Follow Pastor Maxwell on Twitter: @WillardMaxwell