Our Leadership

The Most Reverend LeRoy Bailey, Jr., accepted Christ at the tender age of seven.  He began ministering at the age of ten and is in his fifty-seventh year of ministry.  Having grown up in a Christian home in Memphis, Tennessee, he continues to lead a life that exemplifies the passion, purpose and principles of God.

His achievements have been recognized by Presidents of the United States and other notable Dignitaries for sharing the message of God’s love and boundless mercy.  In 2008, The Most Reverend spoke before thousands of Pastors and dignitaries in Uganda and each year, he ministers in the Mission Fields of Guatemala.  His achievements include an induction into the Martin Luther King, Jr., International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College as “A Role Model and Moral Example For All Seasons.”  His numerous civic awards for excellence in leadership, outstanding achievement, and faithful service include, but are not limited to, citations from numerous Governors of the State of Connecticut, and members of the Connecticut General Assembly.

He completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts from the American Baptist College, Nashville, TN.  He also earned a Master of Divinity from Howard University, Washington, DC.  He also completed a Doctorate of Ministry from Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.  He has received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from The New England International School of Ministry, Marshville, MO, as well as an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Tennessee Baptist School of Religion, Memphis, TN.

Archbishop sits as the Overseer of the International Bishops Conference USA, and he has consecrated Bishops nationally and internationally.  He is also the Co-Adjutor of the International Bishops Conference with jurisdiction in the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean Regions.  He is the Prelate of Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant, a Co-Founder of Pastors In Covenant, and a Co-Founder of Connecticut Coalition of Churches. These organizations are comprised of Pastors of diverse denominations and ethnicities, and provide a positive forum for collaboration and institutional development. He also serves locally in many capacities in Hartford, CT, a Corporator and Board Member of St. Francis Hospital, and as a Chaplain of the Hartford Police Department.

He is also involved in community leadership.  His involvement includes serving as a Judiciary Leadership Panelist at Hartford Seminary on the topic of “Church Challenges: Ecclesiology and Leadership Today.”  In addition, he was the guest presenter at a Colloquium on “Leadership in Changing Times” which was sponsored by the Anglican Studies Program of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Divinity School.   He was also granted the opportunity to be a guest speaker at Clark University, Worcester, MA, and a baccalaureate speaker at Gordon College, Wenham, MA.

Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. is the Senior Pastor and Chief Executive Officer of The First Cathedral, Bloomfield, CT.  In the 45 years of his pastorate, The First Cathedral has grown from a few hundred to more than 11,000 members. Under his leadership, The First Cathedral provides a weekly television and radio broadcast “Discovering Your Power”, senior housing of eighty units in the City of Hartford (First Village and Second Village Senior Housing) and a theological training center (New England International School of Ministry).  God chose The First Cathedral to be a testimony of His faithfulness through the construction of its 120,000 square foot facility, and the future development of an 80,000 square foot Family Life Center.

He is the author of “A Solid Foundation”; a powerful and inspirational manual that provides concise principles for developing a solid foundation for facing and overcoming life’s daily challenges.

He has a Shepherd’s heart and is a gifted and anointed teacher, preacher and counselor.  His love and devotion to the Lord directs him to equip believers for Kingdom service.

He has been married for 45 years to his childhood sweetheart, First Lady, Rev. Reathie Bailey, who serves as the Senior Advisor to the Archbishop. They are the proud parents of three children; a daughter, Minister Riva Bailey Green, and two sons, Rev. LeRoy Bailey, III, and Rev. Dr. Michael David Bailey. They have 6 precious grandchildren.

Rev. Reathie J. Bailey is the First Lady of The First Cathedral, and the Senior Advisor to her husband, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. As partners in the ministry, they acknowledge and implement God’s vision to enhance current ministries, develop new ministries, and win lost souls through Jesus Christ.

First Lady Bailey received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religious Studies from The New England International School of Ministry. She became an ordained Minister on January 20, 2008. She has also received numerous community awards and recognitions; including the President’s Humanitarian and Ministry Award of the Greater Hartford Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.

She is affectionately known as “Mother Bailey” and is an anointed motivational speaker with a passion for God’s people. She delivers the powerful Word of God as well as being well known for her radiance, infectious smile and insatiable appetite for the Lord.

Rev. Bailey oversees the Youth and Women’s Ministries, and the development of a Women’s Investment Club. She is a passionate Prayer Warrior and a member of J.E.W.E.L.S. (Joining Evangelical Women Equipped by the Leading of the Spirit), a group of multi-cultural women who meet monthly for the purpose of intercessory prayer.

First Lady Bailey’s interest in the health and wellness of The First Cathedral Family and the community led to the establishment of The Good Life Wellness Center.

Prior to her tenure as First Lady, Mrs. Bailey had a successful career with the Federal Government Defense Department spanning over ten years. Her responsibilities included supporting the military personnel and organizations like the Red Cross, managing and monitoring the compliance of codes, and participating in video training. She received numerous awards for her outstanding service including the zero defect recognition for no mistakes each year.

Rev. Reathie Bailey is a dynamic woman of God who has been married for 45 years to her childhood sweetheart, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. They are the proud parents of three children, a daughter, Rev. Riva Nelva Bailey Green, and two sons, Rev. LeRoy Bailey, III, and Rev. Dr. Michael David Bailey. They have 6 precious grandchildren.

Rev. Dr. Michael David Bailey is the Co-Pastor of The First Cathedral and shares leadership with his father, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr., Senior Pastor, and his mother, Reverend Reathie J. Bailey, Senior Advisor to the Archbishop. He is the youngest of his 2 siblings. He is a creative leader and a critical and strategic thinker. He also is a prolific preacher and a cultural trendsetter for this generation.

Doctor Bailey has sensed the call of ministry in his life since his youth.  He began in ministry as a teenager. He accepted his calling to the Ministry and preached his initial sermon at the age of 17. Then he was ordained at the age of 19 after successful completing an ordination hearing and council. At the age of 25, he became the Youth Pastor and Youth Director and served that ministry faithfully for over 5 years before becoming the Co-Pastor. As he served being the Youth Pastor and Youth Director, the ministry grew tremendously through his effectiveness at reaching the next generation with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And at the age of 31, he was installed as Co-Pastor of The First Cathedral and charged to carry the mantle of his father and his predecessors.

Pastor Bailey not only has a high regard for the ministry but also a commitment to education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. After graduation with a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, they acknowledged that he is the youngest African American  and the third youngest ever to complete the program.

Pastor Bailey is also a philanthropist. He believes in contributing to the external community and the city at large he serves. For his philanthropic work, he has received city citations and proclamations being recognized in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Also, he has received many awards including Manchester Community College’s Black History Community Award and 100 Men of Color recognizing the contribution of men of color in business, education, entrepreneurship, government, service and the impact they have made in the lives of people throughout the State of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts communities. He serves globally as an Advisory Council Member for the Institute for the Study of the Black Christian Experience at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. He also serves locally as a Chaplain in the Hartford Police Department, an executive board member of the Greater Hartford Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and as an active executive committee member of the Greater Hartford Branch of the NAACP.

He is a chosen, gifted and talented communicator of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But he takes pride in his marriage and family. He is the proud husband to Lady Sonya Bailey and the proud father of their daughter, Ava Joy Bailey.

Lady Sonya Bailey is a native of Brockton, Massachusetts. She is the only child of Marcelline Prince Peters and the late Robert Coniel Peters. Her parents hail from the islands of Barbados and Dominica and she is proud of her West Indian heritage.

Lady Bailey is a gifted educator and a published writer. She published her first article at the age of 13 and has contributed to several Caribbean publications.

She is a graduate of Gordon College where she met her husband, Co-Pastor Michael David Bailey. She also matriculated at the University of Massachusetts, Masters of Education program. She is an avid reader with an interest in many forms of literature.

Lady Sonya is well known for her grace and beauty and most importantly her sweet personality. Her greatest delight is her husband Rev. Dr. Michael David Bailey and their daughter Ava Joy.

Pastor LeRoy Bailey, III is the Executive Pastor for The First Cathedral.  Pastor LeRoy serves as an administrator under the leadership of his father, Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr., Senior Pastor and his mother, Reverend Reathie Bailey, Senior Advisor to the Archbishop.

Pastor LeRoy is an ordained minister, entrepreneur, musician and father of 3 beautiful children. Pastor LeRoy serves his community in various ways and is a Chaplin for the Bloomfield Police Department, Regional Director for CUFI, Owner and Founder of Brakah Enterprises, LLC; LB3 Entertainment; a 2019 recipient of 100 Men of Color Award, a board member for Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce and the ASCEND Mentoring Program. Pastor LeRoy has a MBA from Springfield College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Performing Arts Management, from the University of Hartford; and is currently enrolled in Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary pursuing his Masters of Divinity.

Pastor LeRoy has a passion for God and entertainment. He has produced for several artists and theatre productions. As an administrator, Pastor LeRoy strives for top performance in The First Cathedral. He is known as a reputable businessman with a true commitment to building community relationships while demonstrating integrity. His love for God is his mantra for living a full and rich life. God has anointed Pastor LeRoy Bailey, III to preach His word to the nations with an “out of the box” creativity to reach and develop a church for all people.

Elijah A. Oliver, affectionately known as “Pastor E,” received, and answered, the call to ministry in the summer of 2013. Growing up Jehovah Witness, his conversion to Christ, is truly orchestrated by God! After becoming a licensed minister in 2016, he was elevated to Youth Pastor at The First Cathedral in 2018 and oversees the Chosen Generation Youth Ministry. He also serves in many capacities as an Associate Minister. Pastor E recognizes the call on his life! He knows that his primary motivational gift is to be an exhorter; encouraging people to believe they are stronger and more powerful than they think they are. Whether it’s through writing and being an author, speaker, teacher, preacher or life coach; Pastor E has a way of touching the minds and hearts of those he comes into contact with.

Education: Pastor E, received his Bachelor’s degree in General Studies, with a concentration in Business and Economics from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master’s degree in Counselor Education with specialization in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University. He is also a Certified Master Life Coach where he encourage and counsels clients to create change from within.

Adjunct Professor: Pastor E is currently the Associate Director of Admissions and an adjunct professor teaching the First Year Experience both at Manchester Community College. As a first year experience specialist, he is passionate about empowering transitioning high school seniors and First Year College Students as he leverages his personal experiences and setbacks in high school and college to equip and uplift students with core strategies that enable them to level up and soar to new heights.

Family: Pastor E has been married to his wonderful wife, Ollie-Rubiah, since August 5, 2016. They welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Olivia Grace, to their lives on May 19th 2017 and their lives have never been the same. “I thought I knew what love was. When I first laid eyes on my baby girl, I knew at that moment, I had it all wrong” Pastor E.

Entrepreneur & Author: Pastor E is the founder and CEO of Take F.L.Y.G.H.T. Enterprises, which he started in response to the ongoing desire for individuals wanting to pursue their life long dreams and aspirations

Pastor E published his first book entitled “From Takeoff 2 Touchdown: How to Experience Maximum Altitude” in November 2016. In his debut book, Pastor E invites you to explore an in depth look at the world of F.L.Y.G.H.T– in which he addresses six core principles that individuals deal with every day. Through powerful narrative and with poignant examples, Oliver encourages you to reflect on these key questions: What do you do when FEAR sets in? Have you placed LIMITS on yourself or do you allow others to place limits on you? Is now the time that you finally say YES to life? Do you realize the power of your GRIT? Are you courageous enough to get out of your HANGAR? Will you TAKE ACTION or become a “bizzy mouth?”

From Takeoff 2 Touchdown is a story of motivation, perseverance, encouragement, conviction and inspiration that provides a beacon of light and hope to those looking to Experience Maximum Altitude.