​​​​​​​​St. Matthew Baptist Church

 Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Best is the Founder and Senior Pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church, where he leads with a passion for faith that is relevant, transformative, and rooted in service to the community. The youngest of three, Dr. Best brings a unique blend of pastoral leadership, theological depth, and business acumen shaped by his academic training and lived ministry experience. He holds an Associate of Science degree in Small Business Management from Housatonic Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Bridgeport, a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Church and Ministry from Regent University School of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, awarded in May 2024.

Dr. Best’s journey in faith and ministry began at Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford, where he joined in 2003 and was baptized under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Johnny Gamble. During his formative years at Friendship, he served faithfully in multiple ministry roles, delivered his initial sermon in 2008 as the First Son of the church, and was licensed as an associate minister. He was ordained into the Gospel ministry in October 2012. In obedience to God’s call, Dr. Best stepped out in faith in 2015, leaving his home church after thirteen years of service to plant a new ministry. On June 14, 2015, he preached the inaugural sermon of St. Matthew Baptist Church, launching its first worship service in Bridgeport.

Under Dr. Best’s leadership, St. Matthew Baptist Church, affectionately known as St. Matts, has grown into a church deeply committed to restoration, justice, and community impact. The church has been recognized by Healing Communities USA as a Station of Hope, supporting returning citizens as they reenter the Bridgeport community after incarceration. St. Matts was also actively affiliated with the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity, the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, and the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention.

Beyond the local church, Dr. Best serves as CEO and President of The Sankofa Theological Symposium, a weeklong intensive masterclass focused on theology, leadership, and the future of the church, and President of Gemini Consulting, a business management consulting firm. In recognition of his commitment to reentry and restorative justice, he received the 2018 Healing Communities USA Excellence in Service Award in Washington, DC. Grounded in faith and guided by Psalm 27, with “We Come This Far by Faith” as his favorite hymn, Dr. Best continues to lead with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to empowering people and transforming communities through Christ.

​ ​​Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Best

Founder & Senior Pastor