Pastor Michael Walrond

Michael A. Walrond Jr. is the Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church (FCBC) in Harlem, New York. Walrond—affectionately known as Pastor Mike—is quickly rising as one of the most prolific and sought-after teachers and preachers in the country. Considered a visionary, cultural architect, and game-changer by his peers, Pastor Mike has not only catalytically changed the traditional perspective of black church, but he is also shifting the paradigm of Christian understanding and culture. Within two years of his leadership at FCBC, the church experienced exponential growth, tripling its membership. Over the past nineteen years, membership at FCBC has grown from 300 to over 10,000 members.

Pastor Mike is a board member of the National Action Network (NAN) and is the immediate past Chair of The Board of Visitors at Duke University Divinity School. Pastor Mike has received numerous honors, accolades, and recognitions including induction into Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers as a “Distinguished Preacher.” In July of 2015 New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, named Pastor Mike as the first chair of the NYC Clergy Advisory Council. In 2017, he was an honoree in Ebony Magazine’s annual Power 100 list of the 100 most influential African Americans as a “Community Crusader.”

In 2012, Pastor Mike’s foresight and passion for the Harlem community shaped the vision for the FCBC community development corporation (CDC). The most ambitious project to date of the FCBC CDC is The Dream Center: a transformative space designed to awaken dreams of the community. Focused on creative arts, leadership development, and economic empowerment, The Dream Center has offered over 500 completely free programs to the Harlem community for all ages, races, and backgrounds. With a desire to deeply engage the issues of the community, in December of 2016 Pastor Mike opened the H.O.P.E. (Healing On Purpose and Evolving) Center; the first faith-based mental health facility in Harlem. The H.O.P.E. Center is a manifestation of Pastor Mike’s vision to effectively support the vast mental health needs of the community by offering free mental health services. The center seeks to minimize the stigma that exists in many communities of color when seeking mental health services.

Pastor Mike is a graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. He continued his studies at Duke University School of Divinity as a Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar and earned a Master of Divinity degree with a focus in Theology. He served Duke University as the University Minister and Director of the African American Campus Ministry for eight years. Pastor Mike served as the Senior Pastor of Zion Temple United Church of Christ in Durham, North Carolina for eight years. He is a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and the Morehouse College Alumni Association. In June, 2023, Pastor Mike released his first book Searching for Agabus: Embracing Authenticity and Finding Your Way to You, and is the author of the forthcoming book, The Way of the Carpenter: For Those Who Can’t Stand Christianity, But Are Willing to Give Jesus a Try.

Pastor Mike is a native of Roosevelt, New York. He is married to the Rev. Dr. LaKeesha N. Walrond, who serves as the President of New York Theological Seminary. They are the proud parents of two beautiful adult children, Pastor Michael A. Walrond, III and Jasmyn Dominique. In 2022, Pastor Mike and his wife welcomed their first grandchild, Malia Alani Walrond.