REV. DR. DEMETRIUS CAROLINA, SR.
From Staten Island to Liberia: A Ministry Without Borders
In March of this year, the more than 500-member congregation of First Central Baptist Church (FCBC) in Staten Island joyfully celebrated the 20th pastoral anniversary of Rev. Dr. Demetrius S. Carolina, Sr. Over the past 20 years of his tenure as pastor, he has consistently demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to his congregations, the larger community, and issues affecting the global human community.
FCBC is located in the historic heart of Stapleton, Staten Island, a community that is home to one of the largest Liberian populations in the city. As a result, the congregation enjoys a close partnership with a sister church in Liberia, West Africa, along with four additional churches in the interior of the country.
“The aim of our congregation is to meet all the needs of people – in body, mind, and spirit,” says Dr. Carolina. One of the church’s hallmark initiatives was the development of Staten Island’s first Crisis Management System, designed to respond to emergencies and community needs.
Beyond the direct work of the church, the Central Family Life Center, where Rev. Dr. Carolina serves as Executive Director, oversees a wide range of programs including a city-funded after-school program, senior citizen services, prison recidivism initiatives, mental health support, youth recreation, and numerous other community enhancement projects. In total, the Center operates 22 ministries and 12 programs supported by federal, state, city, and private sector funding.
In November, the church marked its 47th anniversary, a milestone that reflects both its longevity and its evolving mission. As part of its outreach, the church also helps nonprofits and faith-based institutions build capacity, strengthening the broader community.
Together with his wife, Josenia Ruiz-Carolina, Pastor Carolina is guided by a personal mantra that shapes his ministry: “I had no power over when I was born; I have no power over when I will transition; but I have power to effect change in the middle.”
