Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor

St. Matthew Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Avery is married to First Lady Addie M. Avery. They are spirituality-led and God-fearing people. They have one son, Reverend Roderick Avery, a daughter-in-law, Reverend Charlotte Avery, and seven beautiful grandchildren.

In June 1980, Dr. Avery answered God’s call to become a minister. Pastor Avery preached his initial sermon at his home church, Wake Baptist Grove, in Garner, North Carolina. He earned a Doctor of Divinity from Newburgh Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana. Also, he earned a Master of Divinity from Shaw University. Since assuming the pastorate of St. Matthew Baptist Church in March 1981, Pastor Avery has devoted himself to building God’s Kingdom through many relative ministries and programs.  He served as the Moderator of the Wake Baptist Missionary Association (WMBA) from 2007 to 2010.

Under the leadership of Pastor Avery, the St. Matthew Baptist Church has grown physically and spiritually. His vision is to inspire a ministry that will be applicable to 21st-century needs and give a better understanding of the work of the invisible church. Pastor Avery has dedicated his life to serving God and His people from generation to generation.  As the St. Matthew Baptist Church moves toward the 21st century, Pastor Avery has God’s given vision to continue to give God all glory as he uses new technology to spread the Word to those of all ages.