Our Pastors

Faithful Leadership. Transformative Ministry.

For nearly four decades, Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond and Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond have served Bethel AME Church with a shared commitment to faith, service, justice, and community. Their pastoral leadership has helped shape Bethel into a church deeply rooted in the Gospel and actively engaged in the life of Boston and beyond.

Pastor Ray Hammond

A bald, older Black man with glasses smiles warmly at the camera. He wears a plaid shirt and sits backwards on a wooden chair with his arms resting on top.

For 39 years, Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond has faithfully led Bethel AME Church through preaching, teaching, pastoral care, community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to justice.

Throughout his ministry, Pastor Ray has challenged Bethel to understand faith as something that extends beyond Sunday worship. His leadership has encouraged generations to serve their neighbors, advocate for their communities, develop the next generation, and live out the Gospel with courage and compassion.

Under his leadership, Bethel has remained committed to being a place where worship and witness meet—building relationships across generations while responding to the spiritual and practical needs of the community.

Learn More About Pastor Ray

Pastor Gloria White-Hammond

A poised elderly Black woman with short gray hair stands in profile, looking out a window and holding a white curtain, a gentle smile on her face.

Rev. Dr. Gloria White-Hammond has served alongside Pastor Ray as a powerful preacher, teacher, mentor, advocate, and ministry leader whose influence reaches far beyond Bethel.

Her ministry has consistently centered the dignity, wholeness, and God-given purpose of people. Through her leadership in women’s ministry, discipleship, community care, wellness, justice, and mentorship, Pastor Gloria has helped create spaces where people are encouraged to deepen their faith, discover their voices, and walk boldly in their calling.

Her legacy at Bethel is especially evident in the generations of women and emerging leaders she has nurtured, challenged, and inspired.

Learn More About Pastor Gloria

Partners in Ministry

Together, Pastors Ray and Gloria have modeled a ministry grounded in faith, family, justice, service, and love for community.

Their leadership has shaped Bethel’s commitment to:

  • Transformative worship and biblical teaching
  • Spiritual formation and discipleship
  • Children, youth, and intergenerational ministry
  • Community engagement and social justice
  • Health, wellness, and compassionate care
  • Arts, culture, and creative expression
  • Leadership development and mentorship
  • Service throughout Boston and beyond

As they prepare to conclude 39 years of pastoral leadership in April 2027, Bethel celebrates not simply the length of their service but the lives transformed, ministries strengthened, leaders developed, and community relationships built through their faithful stewardship.

A Living Legacy

The story of Pastors Ray and Gloria is woven into the story of Bethel.

Their legacy lives in the people they have taught, mentored, baptized, married, comforted, challenged, commissioned, and encouraged. It can be seen in ministries they helped cultivate, partnerships they helped build, and generations who have learned that Christian faith calls us both to love God deeply and to serve our neighbors faithfully.

As Bethel enters its next chapter, we honor their extraordinary season of leadership while carrying forward the values that have defined their ministry: Faith that acts. Love that serves. Leadership that empowers. Justice that transforms.

Celebrating 39 Years of Pastoral Leadership

Learn more about Bethel’s Living Legacy Celebration honoring Pastors Ray and Gloria White-Hammond and the enduring impact of their ministry.

Explore the Living Legacy Celebration