About Us

Pastor Kristopher Reese, installed on October 25, 2015, is the fifth pastor of Grace Baptist Church.  Pastor Reese has been a blessing to the Grace Baptist Church since his arrival in September 2015. He has instituted a spiritual boot camp course designed for new beginners in ministry and seasoned disciples. Bible study classes on Wednesday and Thursday have increased in attendance. He led the church in many renovation projects adding a brand new roof, new front stairs, upgrades to heating and cooling systems, new landscaping for parking lot, and other repairs. Pastor Reese established a New Generation Choir and Mass choir enhancing the music ministry at Grace. In 2016, Grace held its first Community Fair under the leadership of Pastor Reese.  

 In 2017, Grace held its first annual book bag give away, distributing over 500 book bags filled with school supplies. In 2019, Pastor Reese started a Free Community Breakfast every first Saturday of the month that brings fellowship and education to the community of Waterbury. Grace also started its first Senior Center that meets every Tuesday and Wednesday of the month providing recreational activities such as chair yoga, bingo, karaoke, and other activities for seniors in the Greater Waterbury area. Pastor Reese has led Grace in many community outreach projects during his tenure as pastor.   

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Reese demonstrated his leadership by providing services to his congregation and the greater Waterbury area. Pastor Reese implemented parking lot worship services and brought several COVID-19 vaccination clinics and testing to the Waterbury community. Pastor Reese worked with the USDA, farmers, distributors, and nonprofits to bring fresh produce, meat, and dairy to the community of Waterbury during the COVID-19 crisis. Pastor Reese launched free transportation for the residents in the Greater Waterbury area to COVID vaccination clinics, testing sites and medical appointments.  

In 2021, Grace Baptist Church received over $1 million to provide COVID-19 education, trusted messengers events, and community events to bring awareness to the black and brown communities regarding the impact of COVID.   

Pastor Reese is a board member for the following organizations: Interfaith Action Fellowship of Greater Waterbury, Western Connecticut Area Agency for Aging, Connecticut Community Foundation Pathways Committee, Social Justice Advisory Committee, Co-Chair Waterbury’s Diversity Committee, Chief State Attorney’s Community Engagement Board, and St. Mary’s Hospital Mentorship Board. Pastor Reese served as the former Educational Chair for the Greater Waterbury NAACP, Moderator for the Zebulun Association – Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention, State Regional Vice President for the New England Missionary Baptist Convention, member of the Interfaith Action Fellowship of Greater Waterbury, and President of Grace Development Corporation.   

Prior to accepting the call to Grace, Reese was the pastor at New Kingdom Baptist Church of Philadelphia, PA from 2011-2015. Pastor Reese served as Senior Pastor at the Greater Enon Baptist Church, Philadelphia PA from 2005-2009. 

Diligent in his pursuit of knowledge and training, Reese was licensed to preach in 2000 and ordained to the ministry in 2004.  He holds an Associate Degree in Liberal Studies from Community College of Philadelphia, a Professional Human Resource Management Certificate from Villanova University, a Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership, Masters of Science in Education, and Masters of Arts degree in Religion from Cairn University (formerly Philadelphia Biblical University) in Langhorne, PA. Reese has over 15 years of Human Resource experience working for varies companies in Philadelphia, PA. Pastor Reese also received teaching certification from the Sunday School Publishing Board, National Baptist Convention, USA Inc. in Biblical Backgrounds, Christianity and Contemporary Issues, History of Baptist and Foundation of Christian Ethics.    

Pastor Reese is a well sought after and highly acclaimed national preacher known for capturing the attention of his listeners with unique sermon topics. One for which he is most famous is the “Best Day Ever” based on SpongeBob Square Pants. In July 2020, Pastor Reese released his first book titled The Morning Word with Pastor Reese.  Congresswoman Jahana Hayes purchased this book and gave a copy to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and acknowledged Pastor Reese’s literary accomplishment.  

Pastor Reese is happily married to the former Nicole V. Sparkman, and the proud parent of five children: Donte, Trynity, Eli, Zion, and Roman.