Meet the Pastor

REV. DR. LESTER COUSIN

The Rev. Dr. Lester Cousin is a native of Nashville, Tennessee. He was called into the Gospel Ministry in 1965. He was educated in the public schools in Nashville and received his religious education and ministerial training there. In 1987, he was the recipient of the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Shaw Divinity School, Raleigh, North Carolina.
In 1973, Dr. Cousin was called to Pastor the Calvary Baptist Church in White Plains, NY. During the past thirty-six years, Calvary has grown both spiritually and financially. Under his leadership, there have been numerous changes to the physical structure and to the operational functioning of the church. Because of much growth, there was a need for additional seating in the church. Therefore, in 1975 Pastor Cousin’s first vision was to enlarge the sanctuary by installing a balcony. With the continuous growth an annex was needed and completed in 1978. In 1980, additional space was needed for the growing Christian Education ministry so six classrooms and a ladies room were completed. In the same year, Calvary was rededicated to the Glory of God with the laying of a new corner stone as a crowning tribute for all of the additions. Then in 1995, Pastor Cousin led the church to purchase the property of the former Cadillac dealership, which was adjacent to its property. In 1998, his leadership brought the church to embark upon a multi-million dollar, four-phase construction and renovation project called God’s Miracle. On November 20, 1999, Phase I of that project was dedicated for service to the Glory of God. This accomplishment more than tripled the size of the church facilities which now include 18 classrooms, a youth church chapel, computer room, exercise and game rooms, the Executive Suite (administrative office complex including conference and printing rooms), recording room and the Pastor’s and First Lady’s Suite. Dr. Cousin’s vision is to have the facilities to minister to the needs of the whole person through activities and education. Presently, his vision is a reality. Plans for Phase II, the new Sanctuary, are completed with the hope of beginning the second phase soon.
In addition to the leadership Pastor Cousin provides for the church, he maintains affiliations serving for 24 years as Chaplain of the White Plains Police and Fire Departments and serving his seventh term as a Commissioner for the Public Access Cable TV Commission. He serves as Treasurer of the Ministers Fellowship Council of White Plains and Vicinity; as a member and strong supporter of the White Plains/Greenburgh Branch of the NAACP; as a member of the American Red Cross as well as the Salvation Army. He assists in the Pastoral Care Ministry of the White Plains Hospital Center and assists the Chaplain Staff at the Norwood E. Jackson Correctional Facility in Valhalla, NY. For more than 30 years, Pastor Cousin has chaired the Annual Neighborhood Health Fair, which the church co-sponsors. He is a member of the Advisory Board of Schnurmacher Nursing Home and is an honorary member of the Board of Directors of S.H.O.R.E. (Sheltering the Homeless is Our Responsibility). In addition, he is the recipient of innumerable certificates, citations, awards and honors. Because of his long tenure, Pastor Cousin is known as the Senior Pastor of the City of White Plains.
Married to Mary Katherine Simpson Cousin for fifty-seven years, he is the father of five and the grandfather of seven.
Dr. Cousin is a nationally known evangelist, Gospel singer and recording artist. During his forty-five years of Pastoral service, he has made untiring contributions to God’s Kingdom Work.

“TO GOD BE THE GLORY!”