Reverend David Ford, Sr.
Reverend David Ford, Sr. Obituary
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the St. Matthews Baptist Church c/o Deacon Eugene McArthur 159 E. 9th St. Roselle, NJ 07203
David Ford Sr. was born in Lexington, Mississippi to Magnolia Merritt and Harvey Ford on March 3, 1957. Davidgrew up on the East Side of Detroit. A lifelong learner, David Ford graduated from Kettering High School in Detroit, Michigan. He went on to obtain an Associate degree in History from Highland Park Community College in Michigan; A Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas; and a Master of Arts in Education (Cognate Religious Studies) from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan.
David had a knack for reaching out to and communicatingwith young people and adults. He was always ready to share with others, knowledge that God had given him. So, he began his teaching ministry by serving as a teacher for Highland ParkCommunity College in Highland Park, Michigan, Detroit Christian Center (Extension of Jordan Bible College) and the Detroit Public schools.
David gave his life to Jesus at an early age. He was a loving husband, father, and Pastor who dedicated his life to helping and serving others. He believed in the saving and transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ, and his faith inspired him to live a life of service to his community. Rev. Ford served faithfully in the gospel ministry for over half a century, and he spent 25 of those years as Pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church, in Roselle, NJ.
As a teenager at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, David answered his call to ministry. At the “Mount,” as it was so affectionately called, David was licensed into the gospel ministry on August 7, 1977, by Rev. John H. Gatlin.Having found and honed his passion and purpose in life, which was preaching and teaching the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, Rev. Ford was ordained on December 12, 1982, by John H. Kearney. After graduating from Bishop College, Rev. Ford returned home to serve as the Director of Christian Educationand the Family Life Center at the Mount. Through his leadership and spiritual guidance, the “Mount” experienced exponential growth in its youth ministry and senior ministry. Rev. Ford was given a vision for the youth program that entailed the development of a Youth Employment Program at the Mount through the Bowling League, Summer Camp Program, and a Christian Basketball League (that is still in existence today). He was also a Chaplin for Cantrell Funeral Home in Detroit, Michigan.
From there, he went on to serve as Pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of North Buxton in Ontario, Canada. God used Rev. Ford to help restore the ecumenical relationship of the British Methodist Episcopal Church and the Baptist Church in the Buxton Community. In August of 1992, Pastor Ford was called to serve as the Assistant to the Pastor at Shiloh Baptist Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. There he oversaw the various ministries of the Church. Following God’s guidance, Rev. Ford joined New Hope Baptist Church as an Associate Pastor in Metuchen, New Jersey. Pastor Ford oversaw the men’s ministry and general pastoral care. For three years he served as the interim Pastor of New Fellowship Baptist Church in Hopewell, NJ.
In 2000, Rev. Ford accepted the call to pastor the St. Matthew Baptist Church in Roselle, NJ. Over the next 25 years, God would use this resolute and focused man of God to guidethe renovation and growth of the church. However, above allthat, he has diligently worked to lead the people of God to greater levels of faith in Christ and train them in discipleshipwith a spirit of humility.
For 19 years Pastor Ford was employed by the Piscataway Board of Education as the District Truant Officer and Substitute Teacher. As the Truant Officer, he never lost a case when he went to court. Saving the District hundreds of thousands of dollars. He created the Enrollment center (which still exist today), the procedures used by other school districts to train truant officers, F1-Visa Students, and McKinney Vento (Homeless Students). Pastor Ford’s Department was recognizedby the Piscataway News and an Independent Survey as having the “Best Customer Service” in the district. They were also noted for providing 40-50 needy families each year with Thanksgiving baskets during his time as District Truant Officer.Pastor Ford also served as a substitute teacher for the following school districts: Highland Park, New Brunswick, and Roselle.
Reverend David Ford established himself as a faith leader and social justice advocate in his community. Throughout his life, Pastor Ford volunteered in a number of capacities: he was a member of the Middlesex Central Baptist Association; Chairman of the North East Area Council of Building One New Jersey (BONJ); member of the Juvenile Justice Commission; Founding member and Coordinator for the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Clergy Coalition 4 Justice (NJCC4J). He served as funeral chaplain for G G Woody Funeral Home; Dean of the Congress of Christian Education for the Midwest Region of the Progressive National Baptist Convention; Theology Instructor for the Michigan Progressive National Baptist Convention and the Mid-West Region; and Seminary Instructor for Jordan College’s Extension Program.
His legacy lives on through his family, his spiritual sons and daughters in the gospel, and the many lives he has touched along the way. Pastor David Ford will be forever rememberedfor his sincerity, kindness, sense of humor, generosity, unflinching integrity, and love and passion for God’s people. He was called home April 1, 2025.
Rev. David Ford is preceded in death by his mother, Magnolia Merritt. He is survived by his beloved wife of 45 years, Rev. Sharae Ford; sister, Mabel Jean; three children: David (Shameeka), Joseph (Yolande), and DaVida; six grandchildren: Nathanael, Deja, Jasmine, Danielle, Alexandria, and Isabella. spiritual mother, Marion Utley; lifelong friends, Nate and Vanessa Ellison and Dr. Verlin and Dorothy Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and cherished friends also survive him.