REV. WILLIE PETERSON \ Background

Religious affiliations: The Rev. Willie F. Peterson is the new pastor of New Birth-Kimmelbrook Baptist Church. When he returned to Youngstown in 1997, he was named pastor of Gospel Temple Baptist Church in Campbell, where he served until he founded New Birth Community Church in 2003. Previously, he was a pastor at Oberlin Bible Fellowship in Oberlin. He had been licensed by the Rev. Samson Murray of Triedstone Baptist Church, Warren, in 1985 and ordained in 1995 at Compassion Baptist Church in Lorain. He is a member of Youngstown Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the Baptist Pastors' Council.
Community: The Rev. Mr. Peterson is president and chief executive officer of the Center for Community Empowerment in Youngstown, which he established. The faith-based social service agency and Pathway Partner Group, a collaboration of leaders representing faith- and grass-roots communities, work together to meet the needs of local residents. Pathway Partners is located throughout the United States and represent some 100 faith-based and community groups. He also serves on the Ohio Community Service Council, Youngstown State University Diversity Council, Youngstown Works Coalition and Trumbull County Workforce Policy Board. Mr. Peterson is a member of Mahoning/Shenango Association of Fundraising Professionals, acts as a consultant for business, community, government and faith-based organizations and hosts grant-writing workshops, seminars and conferences on a national level.
Books: "Taxes and Tithes, It's YOUR Money" and is working on "And Then What?"
Personal: He and his wife, Ella, are the parents of five adult children and grandparents of nine.