Joint Director of Field Education, Lancaster and Moravian Seminaries
Degrees
- BA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1982
- MDiv, Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, 2002
- DMin, Lancaster Theological Seminary, 2014
The Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Baber was named Joint Director of Field Education for both Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian Theological Seminary in April 2022, having served asField Education Coordinator at Lancaster Theological Seminary since 2019. From 2016-2019, he was an adjunct instructor at Lancaster Theological Seminary and co-taught the following classes: Ministry Seminars 200 and 300, and Developing Leaders.
Dr. Baber is a graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA degree in Criminology, a graduate of the Virginia Union University School of Theology, Richmond, Virginia, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree and a graduate of Lancaster Theological Seminary where he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2015.
Rev. Baber was licensed in 1980 and ordained in 1982 by the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Robert E. McMorris.
In 2004, Rev. Baber was called to be the 10th Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, York, PA, where he is still serving. He is now the longest sitting pastor in the history of Friendship Baptist Church.
Before entering full-time ministry, Dr. Baber served as the Assistant Director of Outreach for the Community Action Program of Lancaster, PA; Director of the ex-offender program of the Urban League of Lancaster County; Acting President of the Urban League of Lancaster County; an adult probation and parole officer in Lancaster County; District Sales Manager for the Harrisburg Patriot News Company; and classroom teacher for grades 9-12, in the West Shore, Harrisburg, and Steelton school districts.
Dr. Baber is the author of “The Hurtful Use of Derogatory Language by Black Pastors About LGBTQ People” in the Black Missionary Baptist Churches in the Central PA Region.
Rev. Dr. Melvin R. Baber is married to the former Veda W. Cox. They are the proud parents of five children, Tiffany, Yolanda, Melanie, Danita and Jeremy. In addition, they are blessed with 10 grandchildren (and counting).