Meet Our Pastor

MeyerDr. Raymond Meyer first joined First Baptist Church of Newark in 1991. Although he left for a few years to continue his education, he eventually returned to the place that he calls home. Raymond says, "I consider First Baptist my home church. Through the years, this fellowship has always been a warm and welcoming place for me and my family. It is a place that I consider a safe harbor. It is a place where the Word of God is taught diligently as a means of helping all of God's people to grow in spiritual maturity and in community with one another."  


Studying and teaching the Word of God has always been a passion for Raymond. He has done much to prepare himself to teach the Bible accurately and responsibly. After graduating from Bible college in 1985, he continued his theological education at Fuller Seminary (Pasadena, CA; M.Div., 1989), The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, KY; Ed.D., 2003), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest, NC; Ph.D., 2007).


Ordained to the gospel ministry in 1990, Dr. Meyer has served several churches through the years in a variety of capacities. He has also enjoyed a long teaching career at the high school, college, and seminary levels. Currently, as well as serving as pastor at First Baptist, Raymond is a Bible teacher at Fremont Christian School. When Raymond teaches the Bible, whether in his high school classroom or at First Baptist Church of Newark, his desire is that all the learners (Raymond includes himself in this category) grow in their knowledge of God and in the intimacy of their relationship with the Lord Jesus. Raymond's favorite Bible passage related to teaching is the Apostle Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1:17, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better." Raymond teaches the Bible so that ultimately learners would know the Lord Jesus better.


Family, travel, reading, and outdoor activities are all important to Raymond. He currently lives in Fremont with his wife, Tricia, and their son, Jacob. Tricia shares with Raymond a passion for seeing others grow in their knowledge and relationship with the Lord. Like Raymond, she has served the Lord for many years at Fremont Christian School. She is currently the superintendent of the school. Jacob enjoys joining his Dad in the outdoor activities of hiking, bike riding, and camping around the bay area. Raymond loves the Lord, he loves his family, and he loves serving the church of Jesus Christ in the bay area.