Reverend Robert J Perkins

Pastor Robert J. Perkins was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on November 16, 1941. The fifth of twelve children born to Harold E. Perkins, Sr. and Lena Perkins (née Hall), Pastor Perkins graduated high school and enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a military policeman in the 556th Military Police Company. One of the citations that he was most proud of receiving from the Army was a performance certificate for achieving the highest score of 355 in a physical fitness test for Company “F”, 2nd Training Regiment, Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was honorably discharged in December 1963. He joined the Middletown Township Police Department and served as a police officer for twenty-eight years with over twenty-five of those years spent as its chaplain. He received citations for his work as a police officer. He retired in July 1993 with the rank of lieutenant.

In October 1969, Pastor Perkins received his ministerial license and began his ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Jordan O’Neal. In February 1970 he became pastor after Rev. O’Neal’s passing. He was later ordained as pastor in March 1974 by the Seacoast Baptist Association. During his tenure as pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church diverse ministries were created to serve both congregants and the community at large and the church building underwent two additions and the church also acquired several properties.

Pastor Perkins was a past president of the Red Bank Westside Ministerial Alliance in Red Bank, New Jersey, a former chairman of the Foreign Mission, and a member of the Permanent Council of the Seacoast Missionary Baptist Association for over twenty-eight years and served as its chairman for eight years. He retired from the pastorate of Emmanuel Baptist Church in January 2022 a post he held for over fifty years.

A lifelong advocate of physical fitness, Pastor Perkins organized and coached the Red Bank Track & Field Club for fourteen years. His other passions besides spreading the Gospel included rooting for the Dallas Cowboys NFL team, television and film westerns, butter pecan ice cream, and baking. His apple pies were staples at his family’s Thanksgiving dinners.

Pastor Perkins transitioned from time to eternity on November 21, 2023. He is predeceased by his parents, brothers Harold E. Perkins, Jr. and Kenneth L. Perkins, Sr. (Beverly Perkins), sisters Joan Rose and Audrey Wright (Warren Wright, Sr.).

He is survived by his wife of 52 years Ellen Perkins (née Cox), daughters Jennifer and Melissa Perkins, grandson Jayden Robert Ross, brothers James Perkins and Timothy Perkins, Sr., sisters Martha Anderson, Ann Cagle, Diane Perkins, Rose Nixon, and Sherry Cox, a host of nieces and nephews, the Emmanuel Baptist Church family, colleagues and friends.