David Defoe (Interim Pastor)
Our interim pastor, David Defoe is married to his wife Denise and is the proud father of a beautiful daughter, Dayna Imara. He currently serves as the Relationship Ministries Director of the Allegheny East Conference, which includes ministry to Families, Couples, Men, and Singles. He has served the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Paterson as its interim pastor since August 2025.
He has an undergraduate degree in English, a Master’s of Divinity, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology, an MBA in Organizational Development, a Doctor of Ministry with an emphasis in Family Studies, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.
Dr. Defoe is a licensed counselor, educator, pastor, and entrepreneur. In addition to pastoral ministry, he is the Chief Operating Officer and Founder of Imara Counseling Services, a mental health clinic based in Laurel, Maryland. He also serves as a dissertation chair and adjunct professor at several universities, teaching various counseling and psychology courses.
He is a creative, out-of-the-box thinker and a progressive leader. He believes his unique calling in ministry is to embody the socially conscious Gospel of Jesus Christ, which he believes comforts those who are afflicted and afflicts those who are comfortable.
Ordained Pastors—Ordained pastors appointed by the conference executive committee to act as pastors or district leaders do not take the place of the president in their respective fields. They are not charged with administrative powers as is the president, but they cooperate with him in carrying out the plans and policies of the conference. On assignment to a local church, the ordained pastor is assisted by the local elders. By virtue of ordination, the pastor is qualified to function in all rites and ceremonies. The pastor should be the congregation’s spiritual leader and adviser. Pastors should instruct the officers in their duties and plan with them for all lines of church work and activity.