Pastoral Leadership

Pastor Alex Tenenbaum

Alex Tenenbaum is blessed to be an Assistant Pastor at Forest Baptist Church, a historic African-American church. Alex also leads community engagement efforts, mobilizing the members to make an impact in the local Newburg/Petersburg area. Alex lives in a nearby refugee community where he does Gospel outreach to his refugee neighbors. Alex is first and foremost a child of God.


Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alex received his Bachelor Degree in Information Technology from Waynesburg University. In addition, Alex received a Master’s Degree in missiology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Alex has a passion to see the Gospel proclaimed and expressed in different cultural backgrounds and people groups. In his free time, Alex likes to play paddle sports and travel.

Pastor Dr. Samuel

Dr. Samuel Tunde Abednego is a child of God, called by Him into the gospel ministry some years ago. Samuel is originally born and hailed from Nigeria, Africa. In 2015, he came to the United States in pursuit of a doctoral degree in missiological studies. By God’s providence, Samuel was officially elevated onto the Pastoral Team of Forest Baptist Church in September 2023.


Samuel graduated with a BA in Missions and Evangelism from ECWA Theological Seminary, Igbaja (ETSI), Nigeria. He proceeded for his Master’s Degree in Missiology at Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (JETS), Nigeria. In 2020, he received his Doctor of Missiology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Samuel has been pastoring for over a decade before joining the Pastoral Team of Forest Baptist Church.


At Forest Baptist Church, Samuel is charged with the duties of overseeing the Children Ministry and the weekly SOAP Bible Studies. He sees it as a great blessing to work under the leadership of Pastor Nate Bishop and to minister among the wonderful people of God at Forest Baptist Church. Samuel is a man of zealous passion for the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is an author who has been privileged to publish some life-transforming Books.


Samuel is married to his precious bride, Peace, and their marriage is blessed with three

children: Temple, Gospel, and Miracle.

Pastor Xavier McFalls

Xavier McFalls serves as an Assistant Pastor at Forest Baptist Church, overseeing the discipleship ministry.  Xavier is also the Director of the Baptist Campus Ministry at Kentucky State University in Frankfort, KY.


A graduate of Howard Payne University and The Southern Baptist Seminary. He is married to his wife, Jasmine, and they have a daughter, Josilee.

Pastor Michael McGee

Meet Pastor Michael McGee, assistant pastor of preaching and teaching. Pastor McGee serves the body at Forest Baptist Church as a bi-vocational pastor while working at UPS Worldport. McGee sees his secular job at UPS as a clear picture of God’s provision and a unique opportunity for ministry. Pastor McGee is married to Vaneka McGee, who serves in the FBC Finance Ministry. He is also the father of three handsome sons; Emmanuel, who serves on the FBC media ministry, Josiah, who serves in the children’s choir, and baby Myles who was born June 2023.


Pastor McGee relocated to Louisville in 2016 from Mississippi in pursuit of a theological degree from Boyce College. While studying at Boyce College, Pastor McGee quickly became connected to Forest Baptist Church. Pastor McGee looks forward to contributing to the rich legacy here by helping to equip the saints to make, mark, and mature disciples for Jesus Christ from Newburg to the nations.