Rev. Dr. Carol Lynn Patterson

Denomination: Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA)
Organization: Old First Presbyterian Church - Newark, NJ

The Reverend Dr. Carol Lynn Patterson serves as Pastor of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Newark, NJ. Known as “Old First,” this historic congregation was organized in 1666 and played a foundational role in establishing the City of Newark. Dr. Patterson is frequently invited to preach and teach at churches, associations, and conferences, focusing on evangelism, social justice, and discipleship.

As the Chief Evangelism Officer of Setting the Captives Free Ministries, Dr. Patterson is dedicated to proclaiming and living out a liberating Gospel. A natural teacher, she created God’s Glory… Our Story, a biblically grounded and culturally relevant curriculum that bridges salvation history with Black history.

Dr. Patterson is the author of Deceit, a compelling novel that explores resilience in the face of domestic violence. She recently released A Womanist Study Guide of the Novel Deceit, designed to amplify Black women's experiences and help churches address the stigma surrounding domestic violence. In addition, she founded FreeHER, a nonprofit dedicated to healing, empowering, and restoring individuals affected by domestic and intimate partner violence.

Dr. Patterson’s journey began in multicultural marketing communications. She holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After sensing a divine call to ministry, she earned an M.Div. from Drew Theological School and became the first woman ordained at Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown, NJ. She also holds a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew. Her doctoral thesis, Gathered for Worship and Word: Scattered to Witness to the World, deepened discipleship and evangelism at Calvary Baptist Church.

Dr. Patterson has been recognized as an Outstanding Woman in Marketing & Communications by EBONY Magazine, received the Morris County NAACP’s Community Leaders Social Justice Award, and was named one of the Top 10 Women in New Jersey by Business News NJ.

Learn more about Dr. Patterson’s impactful ministry at FreeHER.