Dr. Michael Andrew Owens

Dr. Michael Andrew Owens joined The Centre at Highland as our special guest speaker for the 2026 Pastoral Appreciation Celebration honoring Bishop Philip and First Lady Denise Powell.

Michael Andrew Owens accepted the call to preach at the age of 15 and was licensed by the Bethany Baptist Church in his hometown of Chester, PA. In 1972, Pastor Owens was examined by the New Hope Baptist Association and ordained at the Calvary Baptist Church in Chester. Pastor Owens now celebrates 54  years as a preacher and minister of the Gospel! God be praised!

Pastor Owens enjoyed his first significant ministry experience as the Administrative Assistant to the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Chester, PA.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Pastor Owens further prepared himself for the ministry through secular and religious educational pursuits. He was accepted as an early admittance student by Guilford College, Greensboro, N.C. He transferred to West Chester State College, West Chester, PA, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1981. Later he completed his theological education at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, (renamed Palmer Seminary), earning both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry Degrees.

Dr. Michael Andrew Owens was called to pastor the Tabernacle Baptist Church of Harrisburg, PA in 1984, where he served faithfully for fourteen years. He was a great asset to the community, as he directed the Capital Area City-Wide Revival for 10 years as a part of his work with The Interdenominational Ministers Conference of Greater Harrisburg.

The membership of Bethel Baptist Church, East called Dr. Owens to serve as Pastor in November 1998. 

Pastor Owens extended his reach, beyond his local church, into the larger Detroit Christian Community. He is a Past President of The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, Inc.  Ebony Magazine honored Pastor Owens on its Power 100 List  in 2014, as a Community Crusader, for his leadership of clergy during the bankruptcy and emergency management crisis in Detroit. 

May of 2017, the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church called Dr. Michael Andrew Owens to be the sixth Pastor  in its 115 year history, succeeding Dr. Robert L. Fairley, who had been honored by New Hope as Pastor Emeritus. Dr. Owens began this new season of service, following the Ministry Model of Christ, of whom it was said, “He came preaching, teaching, and healing.” During the pandemic, Dr. Owens collaborated with community health care agencies to get more than a thousand persons vaccinated from his church membership and many others, considered especially vulnerable because of limited access to vaccines.

For recreation Pastor Owens enjoys bowling, traveling, plays, concerts, and a good scrabble game. He is an avid movie buff, golf enthusiast, and song writer.

In February, 2026,  Pastor Owens remarried his former wife, The Rev. Renna Patrice Young. Together in marriage and ministry, the Lord is blessing the use of their gifts in service to God.

A favorite scripture inspires Pastor Owens’ devotion and deep commitment, “Let a man so account of us as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” I Cor. 4:1