Orienthal J. Newburn, Sr., M. Div.
Senior Pastor
Orienthal JuShun Newburn, Sr., affectionately known as Pastor OJ, is a pastor, preacher, educator, hospice chaplain, and community leader with more than two decades of pastoral experience. He currently serves as Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Beloit, Wisconsin, where his ministry is marked by biblical exposition, compassionate leadership, congregational development, and a commitment to strengthening the church’s witness in the community.
Pastor OJ comes from a family rich in preaching and ministry. His call to preach was acknowledged and affirmed in 1994, and he was ordained in 1996. Throughout his ministry, he has served as Senior Pastor in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Texarkana, Texas, and Beloit, Wisconsin.
His preaching is grounded in a narrative, expository approach that carefully explains the biblical text while connecting Scripture to the realities of contemporary life. Influenced by the storytelling and teaching ministry of Jesus, Pastor OJ seeks to proclaim messages that are theologically sound, culturally relevant, intellectually engaging, and practical enough to live beyond the sanctuary.
His ministry extends far beyond the pulpit. Pastor Newburn has served in prison ministry, grief and divorce recovery, hospital and nursing home visitation, leadership development, and the training of emerging ministry leaders. He is especially passionate about building healthy congregational relationships, caring for those who are hurting or marginalized, and using technology as a practical tool for discipleship, communication, and ministry growth.
A committed lifelong learner, Pastor Newburn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) from Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, OH. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) in Expository Preaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
In addition to pastoral ministry, Pastor OJ brings 28 years of experience in healthcare. His professional service has included work as a Hospice Chaplain, Certified Medical Coder, and Medical Billing and Coding Instructor. His experience at the intersection of ministry, healthcare, education, and administration has shaped a pastoral philosophy that values both spiritual formation and compassionate care for the whole person.
Pastor OJ has a particular passion for end of life spiritual care, providing comfort and presence to individuals who are dying while also supporting their families and caregivers through some of life’s most difficult moments.
He is married to Veronica Newburn, PA-C, a physician assistant, health advocate, and ministry partner. Together, they share a commitment to ministry, health education, youth development, and community service. Pastor OJ has 2 sons, OJ Jr. and Landyn, who attend college in Northwest Arkansas.
Pastor Newburn is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and values brotherhood, mentorship, education, civic engagement, and service. Away from the pulpit, he enjoys family, basketball officiating, writing, technology, and the kind of friendly competition that usually requires somebody to keep score.
At the heart of Pastor OJ’s ministry is a simple conviction:
“Our purpose extends beyond Sunday morning.”
He believes the local church should be more than a place people attend. It should be a thriving center of worship, discipleship, healing, education, service, and community transformation, equipping believers to carry the love and truth of Jesus Christ into every area of life.
“I am committed to shepherding a church where the Word is alive, disciples are made, hurting people are cared for, and communities are transformed.”
— Pastor OJ Newburn, Sr., M.Div.
Pastor OJ comes from a family rich in preaching and ministry. His call to preach was acknowledged and affirmed in 1994, and he was ordained in 1996. Throughout his ministry, he has served as Senior Pastor in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Texarkana, Texas, and Beloit, Wisconsin.
His preaching is grounded in a narrative, expository approach that carefully explains the biblical text while connecting Scripture to the realities of contemporary life. Influenced by the storytelling and teaching ministry of Jesus, Pastor OJ seeks to proclaim messages that are theologically sound, culturally relevant, intellectually engaging, and practical enough to live beyond the sanctuary.
His ministry extends far beyond the pulpit. Pastor Newburn has served in prison ministry, grief and divorce recovery, hospital and nursing home visitation, leadership development, and the training of emerging ministry leaders. He is especially passionate about building healthy congregational relationships, caring for those who are hurting or marginalized, and using technology as a practical tool for discipleship, communication, and ministry growth.
A committed lifelong learner, Pastor Newburn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Master of Divinity (M. Div.) from Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, OH. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) in Expository Preaching at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri.
In addition to pastoral ministry, Pastor OJ brings 28 years of experience in healthcare. His professional service has included work as a Hospice Chaplain, Certified Medical Coder, and Medical Billing and Coding Instructor. His experience at the intersection of ministry, healthcare, education, and administration has shaped a pastoral philosophy that values both spiritual formation and compassionate care for the whole person.
Pastor OJ has a particular passion for end of life spiritual care, providing comfort and presence to individuals who are dying while also supporting their families and caregivers through some of life’s most difficult moments.
He is married to Veronica Newburn, PA-C, a physician assistant, health advocate, and ministry partner. Together, they share a commitment to ministry, health education, youth development, and community service. Pastor OJ has 2 sons, OJ Jr. and Landyn, who attend college in Northwest Arkansas.
Pastor Newburn is also a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, and values brotherhood, mentorship, education, civic engagement, and service. Away from the pulpit, he enjoys family, basketball officiating, writing, technology, and the kind of friendly competition that usually requires somebody to keep score.
At the heart of Pastor OJ’s ministry is a simple conviction:
“Our purpose extends beyond Sunday morning.”
He believes the local church should be more than a place people attend. It should be a thriving center of worship, discipleship, healing, education, service, and community transformation, equipping believers to carry the love and truth of Jesus Christ into every area of life.
“I am committed to shepherding a church where the Word is alive, disciples are made, hurting people are cared for, and communities are transformed.”
— Pastor OJ Newburn, Sr., M.Div.
Joseph Fletcher Jr.
Elder Associate Minister
Penny Devereueawax
Elder Associate Minister
Sean Leavy
Elder Associate Minister
Lyndon Lambert
Associate Minister
Deacon Ministry
(left to right) Dea. Kevin Leavy, Dea. Willard Snow, Dea. Booker Street, Dea. Howard Richie, & Dea. Garry Hendrix, Dea. Tony Gates, Dea. Booker Street, Dea. Howard Richie, Dea. Rick Daniels, Dea. Kevin Leavy (not pictured) Dea. Willard Snow, Dea Emmett Riddle, Dea. DeCarlos Nora
Deaconess/Minister Wives Ministry
(left to right) Sis. Erica Daniels, Sis. Carol Hendrix, Mother Carolyn Street, Sis. Ruthie Leavy, and Sis. Stephanie Gates
(not pictured) Sis. Michelle Nora and Sis. Aimee Leavy
Trustee Ministry
(left to right) Sis. Becky Kendall, Sis. Brenda Harper, Sis. Bethany Bolton, Sis. Rosie Curry, Bro. Phil Byrd, Bro. Rick Daniels, & Bro. Henry McKinley ; Sis. Lillian Morrow, Bro. Phil Selmer, Bro. Frank Black (not pictured)
Finance Staff
(left to right) Sis. Brenda Harper, Dea. Tony Gates, Sis. Vida Bevineau, Dea. Garry Hendrix, Sis. Nikia Morton
(not pictured) Sis. Jaemie Harley
Nurses Ministry
(left to right) Sis. Brenda Harper, Sis. Marilyn McKinley, Sis. Betty Hendrix, Sis. Leslie Bridges, Sis. Gayle Listenbee, Sis. Linda Fair-Hickman
Church Clerk
Sis. Stephanie Gates
Sis. Francine Hinchen - Photographer