FACULTY PROFILE

John Edward Duckworth was called under, licensed and ordained by the Rev. Dr. Robert E. Starghill, Sr. of the Samaritan Missionary Baptist of Detroit, Michigan. He served faithfully and loyally under Pastor Starghill until accepting the Call from Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church of Westland, MI in 2002.  Pastor Starghill remained Dr. Duckworth’s Pastor until his retirement in 2015.  Immediately following Pastor Starghill’s retirement, Dr. Duckworth was honored to have a new Pastor the Rev. Dr. James C. Perkins of the Greater Christ Baptist Church.

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Dr. Duckworth holds dual Bachelor Degrees in Business Administration and Marketing & Management from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. He also earned an Associates of Arts Degree in Advertising, while attending Northwood University. Dr. Duckworth then earned a Master of Divinity Degree at the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His education includes international study of Biblical Geography and Archeology in Israel and Trans-Cultural Ministry in Ghana, West Africa.  Dr. Duckworth then earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, Michigan.

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Dr. Duckworth serves as an instructor at the Heritage Center for Religious Studies and as an adjunct Professor at the Ecumenical Theological Seminary.    Dr. Duckworth serves as Vice Chair of the Political Action Committee of the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, Inc.  Dr. Duckworth serves as the Vice President of the Inkster Ministerial Alliance.  Dr. Duckworth also served as the 2nd Vice Moderator of the Michigan District Baptist Association.

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Dr. Duckworth has a wholistic view of the ministry and feels that the church should be an integral part of the community.  He has implemented relevant ministries at Gethsemane: from the Body & Soul Health and Well Being to the Sage Ministry (a full service senior’s ministry).  Dr. Duckworth’s commitment to the community involves annual events and he serves the community through his leadership to the various boards: Wholistic Living Community Corporation, Henry Ford Health Systems, Interfaith Health & Hope Coalition, and Authority Health.

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Pastor Duckworth has challenged GMBC to become an “Energized church that will Empower families so that we may Encounter the community.”  The disciples of GMBC are catching a view of this vision of fulfilling the needs of the community and building God’s kingdom here on earth under the leadership of Dr. Duckworth and the guidance of the Holy Ghost.  

 

Dr. Duckworth is married to the former Nicole Latrice Hopkins of Philadelphia, PA.  Nicole is a graduate of Millersville University and LaSalle University.  They are proud parents of triplets, affectionately known as D3, Gabrielle, John, II and Nicholas.