Rev. Cedric Joel McKoy is a native of Paterson, New Jersey. He is the son of Veda and the late Pearl McKoy. Educated in the Paterson Public School System, he graduated from Eastside High School. He later went on to earn a Certificate in Christian Ministry from New York Theological Seminary, an Associates in Business Management from Passaic County Community College and a Bachelors of Organizational Management from Nyack College, Nyack, New York.
In September of 1997 at the age of 19, Reverend McKoy was licensed to preach and in April of 2006 ordained by the Seminary Baptist Church in Paterson, NJ where Rev. Alfred E. Steele serves as Pastor. While at Seminary, Rev. McKoy served as Assistant Pastor, Director of Christian Education and Assistant Musician. Additionally, he has served as Supplied Minister at the Lebanon Baptist Church, Westwood NJ and Youth Pastor of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Paterson, NJ.
While serving as Assistant Pastor of the Seminary Baptist Church in September 2007, Reverend McKoy was elected as the Pastor of Beulah Grove Baptist Church, Newark, NJ. Under Pastor McKoy’s leadership, Beulah Grove has not only re-established previously existing ministries but have also birthed a Men’s Fellowship, Young at Heart Senior Ministry, Seeds of Sarah Women’s Ministry & Widow/ Widowers Ministry. His visionary leadership has elevated the overall structure of the church by solidifying an administrative assistance, purchasing a church van, installing a baptismal pool, renovating the church’s offices, and beautifying the house of God. Rev. McKoy takes pride in fulfilling the Great Commission, therefore in 2014 the Beulah Grove Community Development Corporation 501C3 was established in which the Compassion in Action Food Pantry and various outreach initiatives serve our community.
In continuance of his service to the body of Christ, he serves as the Moderator of the Shiloh Baptist Association of NJ, and former 2nd Vice President of the United Missionary Baptist Convention of NJ. His passion for community advocacy is evident through board memberships such as Vice President of the Madison Avenue Crossroad Ministry C.D.C, Board member of the Star of Hope Ministry Paterson, NJ; Member of the Paterson Branch NAACP, former committee member for the city of East Orange Democratic Party, District 5-5 & Proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Mu Lambda chapter where he serves as Secretary .
As the spirit of God continues to lead Reverend McKoy in all his endeavors, he acknowledges his wife, Tamisha McKoy as his source of motivation. Her partnership helps him face the challenges that come with being called to pastor. “Lady McKoy”, as she is affectionately called, their Princess Caitlyn Jael. & Cassidy Jae’ !
In September of 1997 at the age of 19, Reverend McKoy was licensed to preach and in April of 2006 ordained by the Seminary Baptist Church in Paterson, NJ where Rev. Alfred E. Steele serves as Pastor. While at Seminary, Rev. McKoy served as Assistant Pastor, Director of Christian Education and Assistant Musician. Additionally, he has served as Supplied Minister at the Lebanon Baptist Church, Westwood NJ and Youth Pastor of the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Paterson, NJ.
While serving as Assistant Pastor of the Seminary Baptist Church in September 2007, Reverend McKoy was elected as the Pastor of Beulah Grove Baptist Church, Newark, NJ. Under Pastor McKoy’s leadership, Beulah Grove has not only re-established previously existing ministries but have also birthed a Men’s Fellowship, Young at Heart Senior Ministry, Seeds of Sarah Women’s Ministry & Widow/ Widowers Ministry. His visionary leadership has elevated the overall structure of the church by solidifying an administrative assistance, purchasing a church van, installing a baptismal pool, renovating the church’s offices, and beautifying the house of God. Rev. McKoy takes pride in fulfilling the Great Commission, therefore in 2014 the Beulah Grove Community Development Corporation 501C3 was established in which the Compassion in Action Food Pantry and various outreach initiatives serve our community.
In continuance of his service to the body of Christ, he serves as the Moderator of the Shiloh Baptist Association of NJ, and former 2nd Vice President of the United Missionary Baptist Convention of NJ. His passion for community advocacy is evident through board memberships such as Vice President of the Madison Avenue Crossroad Ministry C.D.C, Board member of the Star of Hope Ministry Paterson, NJ; Member of the Paterson Branch NAACP, former committee member for the city of East Orange Democratic Party, District 5-5 & Proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Mu Lambda chapter where he serves as Secretary .
As the spirit of God continues to lead Reverend McKoy in all his endeavors, he acknowledges his wife, Tamisha McKoy as his source of motivation. Her partnership helps him face the challenges that come with being called to pastor. “Lady McKoy”, as she is affectionately called, their Princess Caitlyn Jael. & Cassidy Jae’ !
Tamisha McKoy was born, raised and received her elementary education in Paterson, New Jersey. She graduated high school from Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne, New Jersey. While attending PCTI, Tamisha prepared for a career as a licensed cosmetologist. Upon graduating, she began working in Margaret’s Hair Salon located on Broadway in Paterson, New Jersey.
While working in this lucrative career field, Tamisha was not convinced that a college education was necessary to establish purpose and success. Upon much coercion and encouragement from her then Guidance Counselor and mentor, Marilyn Huling, she decided to attend college. In May of 2000, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Elementary Education from William Paterson University, Wayne NJ. Upon graduation, she accepted a middle school teaching position at Public School # 11 in Paterson where she treasured five magical years of instructing Language Arts and Literacy. In 2006, she earned the recognition as Governor’s Teacher of the Year.
Rearing from humble beginnings, her parents always demonstrated that love and protection supersedes negative environmental conditions. These two elements coupled with persistence and assertiveness would become fundamental to her overcoming obstacles and acquiring success. As years passed, Tamisha realized that many of her students, although raised in similar environments as her own, were missing critical characteristics needed to rise above their circumstances. She clearly recalls a pivotal moment in her life where a desire to service her students in a greater capacity superseded the instruction she was delivering to them. The desire to help them work through their problems was undeniable. This reality, coupled with her mother’s example of helping those in need, propelled Tamisha to further her education.
In 2006, she earned a Master of Educational Counseling Services from Montclair State University. Thereafter, she became a school counselor at Great Falls Academy where she served for five years. She then worked in the same capacity for the School of Information Technology @ Eastside High School. Tamisha distinguishes herself as a constant professional that produces meaningful work. As a self-motivated leader, she possesses an assertive drive to accomplish the expected end. This posture afforded her the opportunity to serve in her present position as the School- Based Supervisor of Guidance for Eastside High School. In addition to her primary positions within the Paterson Public School District; she has also fulfilled the lead role of various afterschool, summer school and credit recovery programs.
Tamisha finds deep fulfillment in knowing that she works with a great team of professionals that display a vested interest in the lives of students. Together, they have played an integral part in increasing graduation rates, college enrollments and exposing students and their families to community resources. In 2013, she accepted the award as an Outstanding Women in Education from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Xi Omega Chapter.
While her life’s work establishes a strong sense of accomplishment within her; her fondest treasure is her family and friends. Tamisha is the proud mother of two wonderful girls; Caitlyn Jael (6) and Cassidy Jae’ (4). She is also the “Leading Lady” of the Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where her loving husband, Reverend Cedric J. McKoy, serves as Pastor.
She truly believes that the mantle placed upon her life is only maintained by the grace of God and the numerous family and friends that serve as her support system. Amid the highs and lows that she faces in life, she is careful to remain in a sacred place where she continually hears the voice of God.
While working in this lucrative career field, Tamisha was not convinced that a college education was necessary to establish purpose and success. Upon much coercion and encouragement from her then Guidance Counselor and mentor, Marilyn Huling, she decided to attend college. In May of 2000, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Minor in Elementary Education from William Paterson University, Wayne NJ. Upon graduation, she accepted a middle school teaching position at Public School # 11 in Paterson where she treasured five magical years of instructing Language Arts and Literacy. In 2006, she earned the recognition as Governor’s Teacher of the Year.
Rearing from humble beginnings, her parents always demonstrated that love and protection supersedes negative environmental conditions. These two elements coupled with persistence and assertiveness would become fundamental to her overcoming obstacles and acquiring success. As years passed, Tamisha realized that many of her students, although raised in similar environments as her own, were missing critical characteristics needed to rise above their circumstances. She clearly recalls a pivotal moment in her life where a desire to service her students in a greater capacity superseded the instruction she was delivering to them. The desire to help them work through their problems was undeniable. This reality, coupled with her mother’s example of helping those in need, propelled Tamisha to further her education.
In 2006, she earned a Master of Educational Counseling Services from Montclair State University. Thereafter, she became a school counselor at Great Falls Academy where she served for five years. She then worked in the same capacity for the School of Information Technology @ Eastside High School. Tamisha distinguishes herself as a constant professional that produces meaningful work. As a self-motivated leader, she possesses an assertive drive to accomplish the expected end. This posture afforded her the opportunity to serve in her present position as the School- Based Supervisor of Guidance for Eastside High School. In addition to her primary positions within the Paterson Public School District; she has also fulfilled the lead role of various afterschool, summer school and credit recovery programs.
Tamisha finds deep fulfillment in knowing that she works with a great team of professionals that display a vested interest in the lives of students. Together, they have played an integral part in increasing graduation rates, college enrollments and exposing students and their families to community resources. In 2013, she accepted the award as an Outstanding Women in Education from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Xi Omega Chapter.
While her life’s work establishes a strong sense of accomplishment within her; her fondest treasure is her family and friends. Tamisha is the proud mother of two wonderful girls; Caitlyn Jael (6) and Cassidy Jae’ (4). She is also the “Leading Lady” of the Beulah Grove Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey, where her loving husband, Reverend Cedric J. McKoy, serves as Pastor.
She truly believes that the mantle placed upon her life is only maintained by the grace of God and the numerous family and friends that serve as her support system. Amid the highs and lows that she faces in life, she is careful to remain in a sacred place where she continually hears the voice of God.