Pastor Shawn T. Wallace Sr.

His story

A servant leader for nearly three decades

Reverend Shawn T. Wallace Sr. is a devoted pastor, educator, and servant leader whose life has been marked by nearly three decades of ministry, empowering people in both church and community. Called to preach at 19, he was licensed in August 1994 and ordained in December 1998, growing under the mentorship of the late Rev. Dr. John T. Teabout Sr.

In January 2005, Reverend Wallace accepted the call to pastor Peoples Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, where he served faithfully until December 2017, leading the church into numeric, financial, and spiritual growth with a strong commitment to community impact. God then led him to the historic St. John’s Baptist Church of Scotch Plains, NJ, where he has served as pastor since January 2018. Under his leadership, SJBC has experienced transformational growth through vibrant preaching and teaching, capital improvement projects, community outreach, and an expanded digital witness.

Reverend Wallace earned B.A. degrees in Journalism and African Studies from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and pursued Master of Divinity studies at Drew Theological Seminary. He holds a Pastor’s Alternative Teaching Certification and Dean’s Certification through the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

He formerly served as 1st Vice-Moderator of the Middlesex Central Baptist Association, where he provided leadership for local Baptist churches in Central New Jersey. His denominational service includes roles as Congress of Christian Education President and Assistant Dean of Christian Education for the General Baptist State Convention of NJ, and he was the inaugural Congress of Christian Education President for the United Missionary Baptist State Convention of NJ.

Beyond the pulpit, Reverend Wallace is the owner of STW Consulting, LLC, an educational consultancy offering academic and professional development through innovative lectures, creative seminars, and interactive workshops. With over 25 years of training and curriculum development experience, he has served numerous organizations, Fortune 500 companies, churches, and ministries as a guest speaker.

Reverend Wallace is joyfully married to Carita N. Wallace. They are the proud parents of Shawn T. Wallace Jr. and Tamara Wallace. Grateful for all God has done and expectant for what lies ahead, he lives by Proverbs 3:5–6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”