Rev. Dr. George Hancock- Stefan, Pastor

Rev. Dr. Hancock-Stefan has been the pastor of Central Baptist Church since 1991. He has also served the church as Executive Director of the Romanian Missionary Society and as Minister of Christian Education at First Baptist of Hightstown. In addition to preaching every Sunday, Pastor George enjoys overseeing the Sunday School, leading Bible studies, and working with other churches to reach the community. Currently, he leads the Area Association of Community Churches in Atlantic Highlands and the North Shore Group in Monmouth County.

Dr. Hancock-Stefan earned a B.A. in American History and Bible from Wheaton College, a M.Div. in Parish Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. His dissertation examines the impact of the Reformation on the Romanian people from 1517 - 1645. He currently teaches at Palmer Theological Seminary, New Brunswick Seminary, and the ABCNJ Academy. Teaching areas include church history, historical theology, Eastern Orthodoxy, missions and intercultural studies.

He and his wife Ginny, a piano teacher and the church music director, live in Atlantic Highlands with their daughter SaraGrace. Daughters Ashley and Christina currently attend American University and the University of the Arts. Their eldest daughter, Lindsey, lives in Brick with her husband, Bruce, and son David.