MEET OUR LEADERS
Apostle Jeffrey Brian Kearney
Known for his piercing biblical insights, sharp wit, disarming transparency and unconventional anointing, Apostle Jeffrey Brian Kearney has been serving the Body of Christ for over 25 years. He remains as creative and innovative as he is uncompromising and prophetic.
Taking the bible and its qualifications for leadership seriously, Apostle Kearney is a man whose life is above reproach. He has been the husband of one wife, Sylvia Kearney for 41 years. He exercises self control, lives wisely and is spoken well of in both his home and in his community.
For 14 years Apostle Kearney served faithfully under the instruction and leadership of the late Rev. Richard L. Hare, Sr., Senior Pastor of the Lily of The Valley Missionary Baptist Church, Newark, New Jersey. It was under this ministry that he was poured into, stretched, put to the test, and poured into again. Not only did Rev. Hare train, license and ordain Apostle Kearney, but he also laid a foundation which would allow a faithful son to eventually become a faithful father.
Taking preparation seriously, Apostle Kearney attended the Christian Bible Institute and Seminary in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Under the tutelage of the renowned late Dr. Donald Womack, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Theology.
Having refined his analytical and systemic thinking skills in a 20 year career in finance at Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS), Apostle Kearney is able to relate to all kinds of people on many different levels, but his great passion is for the Body of Christ. Through teaching love, forgiveness, and the life changing power of God he labors to see lives changed by the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ.
Since November of 2000 he has served at the senior pastor of The Church of The New Covenant, East Orange, New Jersey and in April of 2015 he was commissioned as an Apostle of the Lord’s Church by Apostle Keith G. Powell, the pastor of Family of Christ Life Center. The words of a time-tested hymn, best summarize his personal testimony,
Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.
The words of a fire-tested psalmist best summarize his approach to life,
“I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are they works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
Psalm 139:14
Pastor Sylvia Kearney
Elder Sylvia Kearney is a Pastor and First Lady of The Church of the New Covenant in East Orange, NJ where she joyfully serves with her husband of 41 years, Senior Pastor, Apostle Jeffrey B. Kearney. She also serves faithfully as a Sunday School Teacher, New Members Class Instructor and one of the chairpersons for the Women’s Ministry of her church. Elder Sylvia also serves in administrative matters.
She is an anointed woman of God and knows her purpose in the Kingdom of God. Along with her calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, she loves to serve and is a faithful servant to the Body of Christ. Her passion is reaching souls (especially women) from all walks of life with the Word of God in a practical and down-to-earth manner.
Elder Sylvia also serves as entertainment host for the annual “Real Women Have Curves”hosted by Overseer Pam Bowers-Smith and serves as one of the guest speakers for the annual “Women On The Front Line - Spiritual Spa and Prayer Retreat” hosted by Bishop Loretta Smith-Johnson.
She enjoys her life as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Outside of her corporate position, Makeup Artistry is her God-given passion. She uses this gift to beautify women on the outside while feeding them with the Word of God (Beauty for Ashes).
Elder Sylvia is very transparent with her life and believes in “keeping it real”. We all have “stuff” that should disqualify us from operating in Ministry…BUT GOD! My “mess” qualified me for Ministry!
Elder Sylvia loves the Lord and she is certain that He loves her!
Executive Pastor LaVelle A. Cook
Reverend LaVelle A. Cook is an ordained minister and leader in the Body of Christ. She currently the Executive Pastor at Church of the New Covenant in East Orange, NJ where she is fully engaged in ministry under the leadership of Apostle Jeffrey Kearney, Senior Pastor. She has a special affinity for women’s ministry, and as a result, she has been a facilitator at numerous women retreats, and conferences. She is also an advocate for victims of domestic violence and counsel’s women on these and other women’s issues. She is also a lifetime member of the National Council of Negro Women.
Pastor Cook is a therapist. Her educational background includes The College of New Rochelle where she graduated with honors in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Psychology degree, and NYACK -Alliance Graduate School of Counseling where she received a Master’s degree in Mental Health/ Christian Counseling in May 2012. She is currently ABD ( All but Dissertation) pursuing her Doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy specializing in General Family Therapy at National University.
Pastor Cook seeks to empower women of all ages, to strengthen their faith to believe they can receive all that GOD has for them.
She is the author of her first book, “Loving the Skin You’re In (beauty on the inside and outside)."She is also the CEO of Miraculous Makeover, a Christian image consulting company specializing in total beauty inside and out. She has appeared on NBC’s Today in New York morning show and has been interviewed on Harlem Blog Talk Radio and Unmasking the Covered Me Podcast. In January 2019 she received the Phenomenal Woman Award for her service in Ministry/Mental Health from Bronx Triangle Inc. through Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Pastor LaVelle as she is affectionately called is married to Bishop Gregory Cook Sr. and they are the proud parents of 2 daughters Larelle, Gianna, and one son Jordan and grandparents to one grandson Demarius Kyrie.
Pastor Tammy Bahaj
Pastor Tammy came to Christ at 17 years old, after having been invited to a crusade by her High School science teacher. She attended the service in hopes of receiving the extra credit promised for attending, to her surprise God had so much more in store for her. That night, October 1981, God through his servant the late Rev. Tom Skinner stirred her to stop simply attending church and to accept Jesus Christ as her personal savior. Five years later she received the call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
After many years of faithful service and pastoral training under the leadership of the late Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian of Christian Love Baptist Church and Rev. Dr. Dolores Watson of 1st Congregational Christian Church, in June 2008 Pastor Tammy was ordained and subsequently released to begin a work. For the next 8 years Pastor Tammy served faithfully as the lead pastor of Christ Bible Fellowship, House Church Movement, in Scotch Plains, NJ. After that assignment was complete Pastor Tammy joyfully joined Church of the New Covenant in August of 2019 as an associate pastor where she takes great pride in being the Hurr to her senior pastor, Apostle Jeffrey B. Kearney.
Pastor Tammy has served in several other capacities in the Lord’s church including Deaconess, Home & Foreign Missions leader, Youth leader, Sunday School Teacher, District Treasurer, Finance Administrator and Trustee. Not only that but over the 40 plus years her love and passion for God afforded her the opportunity to participate in foreign mission trips, mentor at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center, teach new member’s, catechism and leadership classes in several churches.
Pastor Tammy is a 1993 graduate of the Manhattan Bible Institute of New York. After a successful 40 year career in Finance and Accounting she is looking forward to seeing what God has in store for her next.
Pastor Tammy is the loving mother of 2 adult daughters, LaToya and Imani along with 2 grandchildren, DeAndre and Jadesola.