A New Chapter of Leadership at First Baptist Church
A wave of joy and pride filled First Baptist Church in Gary, Indiana as Rev. Nicole Guns officially took her place as the church’s new senior pastor. This historic moment makes her the first Black woman to ever hold this position at one of the city’s oldest churches.
During Bible study, members of the church prepared for services as Guns greeted them with warmth and ease. The 44-year-old pastor from Norfolk, Virginia, shared how unlikely her journey to Gary once seemed.
“I didn’t know much about Gary outside of Michael Jackson’s house,” she said with a smile, reflecting on how far she had come. “But God had a plan bigger than what I imagined.”
Breaking Barriers for Black Women Pastors
Rev. Guns’s appointment marks a powerful shift in a faith community where Black women leaders are still rare. According to a 2018 study in the Journal of Values-Based Leadership, women make up 50 to 75 percent of Black church members but hold only about 10 percent of leadership roles — and less than 1 percent of senior pastor positions.
Her appointment sends a strong message to congregations across the country. “First Baptist will never pick a woman,” Guns once remembered being told when she considered applying. Yet today, she stands as living proof of change and faith in action.
As she walked through the church’s historic halls, she carried not just her personal story but also the weight of many women who were once told “no.”
A Journey of Faith and Service
Rev. Guns’s path to this moment was not easy. A sixth-generation ordained pastor and a nurse by training from Hampton University, she has spent years serving communities through faith and healing. She earned her Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University, applied to more than 30 churches, and often faced rejection simply for being a woman.
Before arriving in Gary, Guns was a college and young adult pastor. She also serves as assistant general secretary for National Baptist Convention USA Inc. — one of the highest-ranking roles ever held by a woman in the denomination. Her global mission work has taken her to Kenya and Nigeria, broadening her vision for ministry.
A Moment That Inspires the Next Generation
This historic appointment has ignited hope within the congregation and beyond. Many believe Rev. Guns’s leadership will usher in new energy and open doors for more Black women to step into leadership roles in the church.
Her story resonates with those who have faced barriers but held on to faith. “This is bigger than me,” Guns said. “This is about showing what God can do when you trust His timing.”
As she steps into the pulpit, the people of Gary are witnessing not just a new pastor, but a symbol of progress and possibility.
