Pastoral Leadership

Pastor 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.