Meet The Pastor
Founder and Senior Pastor Pastor Aaron M. Best
Pastor Aaron M. Best is a graduate of Housatonic Community College with an Associates of Science Degree in Small Business Management; he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Bridgeport with a Bachelor of Science in Business; and then went on to completed his graduate studies at Regent University School of Divinity; earning a Master of Divinity degree with a Concentration in Church & Ministry.
Pastor Best began his discipleship at Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford where he joined in January 2003 and was baptized in April under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Johnny Gamble, Founder and Pastor. As the Lord led him, on August 31, 2008, he delivered his initial sermon. Through hard work and diligent study, he then was ordained into the ministry on October 14, 2012. Pastor Best was a faithful disciple; serving in many capacities at Friendship until he was called out to plant a new chapter in ministry.
On May 24, 2015, as God willed and with much prayer, obedience, faithfulness, and trust in God, Pastor Best left his home church; and on June 14, 2015 delivering his first sermon as Founding & Senior Pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church; launching its first worship service at the Bridgeport Holiday Inn.
Under his leadership at St. Matts (as he affectionately calls the ministry), the ministry has been commissioned by the national organization of Healing Communities USA, as a Station of Hope for individuals re-entering the community after incarceration; a member church of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity, a member church of The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, and a recognized church by The Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention.
Pastor Best is the President of St. Matthew Community Economic Development Corp., President of St. Matthew Baptist Church Station of Hope for Reentry, and President of Pilf Home Design, LLC. He also serves on the Board of Directors and Chairman of Congregation Relations Committee for The Council of Church of Greater Bridgeport and an Advisory Board Member of The Mayor’s Initiative on Reentry Affairs. He was the 2018 recipient of the Healing Communities “Excellence Service Award” for reentry affairs in Washington, DC. His favorite scripture is Psalm 27 and his favorite hymn is “We Come This Far By Faith.”