Outstanding Leadership in Queens
2012 Honoree of the Queens Federation of Churches

The Reverend Dr. Marvin J. Bentley

The Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Bentley was born in Brooklyn and received his basic religious training at the Cornerstone Baptist Church. Under the tutelage of the late Dr. Sandy F. Ray he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Cornerstone Baptist Church, Brooklyn.

Educated within the New York City public school system, Dr. Bentley attained his Bachelor of Science degree in health science and social welfare from the State University of New York at Stony Brook; Master in Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary, NYC, and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Drew University, Madison, NJ. He recently received an Associates Degree from Nassau Community College in Applied Sciences (Mortuary Science).
Dr. Bentley was ordained at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York, where he served as the Assistant Minister under Dr. Samuel D. Proctor, and Dr. Calvin Butts III.

Dr. Bentley is active in many civic and community activities. He serves on numerous boards and committees and is the former president of American Baptist Churches of Metro New York and a former Naval Chaplain in the United States Naval Reserves. He has served as President and Vice-President of Community School Board 30, former member of Community Board 3, and past president of the Corona-East Elmhurst Clergy Association. He has received many civic and religious awards and honors.

As pastor, Dr. Bentley has been serving the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona for 31 years, enjoying a blessed ministry. During his tenure at the church, it has relocated into a beautiful, gothic style new church home on the corner of Northern Boulevard and 103rd Street in Corona. It has grown to numerous ministries that include male and female “Rights of Passage” ministries (GEM and GAAYAW), The Antioch Bible Institute, Christian Bookstore, Video Ministry, Credit Union and Athletic Ministry.

In addition to the aforementioned ministries, under Pastor Bentley’s leadership the Antioch Baptist Church of Corona has embarked upon a ministry to liquidate the credit card debt of their congregation. The ministry is based on the Book of Acts the 2nd and 4th chapters. The model for the vision was given to Pastor Bentley by Bishop C. Vernie Russell, Jr., Pastor of the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va. This ministry has caused the congregation to take a look at their finances, spending, and saving habits. The Antioch Church is embracing the biblical motif that as Christians we are not to be indebted to anyone but God, and we are to help those according to their needs. The idea is embraced: “get out” of debt so that you can remain free from the trappings of fiscal difficulties. In addition, our mission is to “help out” someone who is in need as we have been mandated by the word of God to do!

Pastor Bentley is married to his high school sweetheart, Carla, and they are the proud parents of three lovely children.