Meet Our Pastor

Rev. Dr. Ezra L. Tillman, Jr.
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Piney Grove – Lauderdale Lakes, Florida

Rev. Dr. Ezra L. Tillman, Jr. is a proud native of Detroit, Michigan. From a young age, he embraced his faith in Christ and was spiritually nurtured under the pastoral leadership of the late Dr. John L. Webb at New Mt. Vernon M.B.C. in Ferndale, Michigan. In 2002, he answered the divine call into Gospel Ministry — a journey through which hundreds of lives have been revived, restored, and introduced to Christ through his faithful obedience.

Education & Theological Training
Dr. Tillman is a passionate proponent of education and lifelong learning. His academic achievements include:

Doctorate in Theological Studies

Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (M.A.O.L.)

Master of Ministry (M.Min.) in Biblical Counseling

Bachelor of Religious Education (B.R.E.)

Ecclesiastical Leadership
Dr. Tillman began his pastoral journey as Assistant Pastor of Greater Middle Missionary Baptist Church in Royal Oak, Michigan, in 2009. He later served as Senior Pastor of Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, before accepting the call in May 2014 to become the fourth pastor of First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Michigan.

In March 2023, Dr. Tillman was called to serve as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Piney Grove in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. Under his leadership, the church launched the 700 Debt-Free Campaign, raising over $300,000 in just six months and burning the mortgage on May 15, 2024. In his first year, more than 100 new members joined the congregation, new ministries were established, and spiritual growth flourished.

“...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14

Denominational Involvement
A respected leader within the Baptist tradition, Dr. Tillman actively serves in national, state, and local Baptist organizations. His roles have included:

Midwest Regional Representative, Disaster Relief (N.B.C., USA Inc.)

Vice President at Large, Wolverine State Missionary Baptist Convention – Congress of Christian Education

Executive Board Member, Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity

Member, Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society & Micah Leadership Council (People for the American Way)

Vice President at Large, Great Lakes District Baptist Association

Former Dean and Instructor, Great Lakes District Baptist Congress

Community Impact
Dr. Tillman’s ministry extends beyond the pulpit. During the Flint Water Crisis, he and his wife, First Lady Catrina Tillman, transformed First Trinity M.B.C. into a community hub for distributing clean water. On February 1, 2016, they hosted the Environmental Justice Rally, providing over 500,000 bottles of water in a single day. From 2016 to 2019, more than 1 million bottles of water were distributed.

This grassroots effort led to a partnership with actor and philanthropist Jaden Smith and his organization 501cTHREE, resulting in the development of The Water Box — a portable filtration system providing 5 gallons of clean water in 30 seconds. Multiple Water Boxes now serve the Flint community.

Together, the Tillmans also founded Revive Community Health Center to reduce maternal and infant mortality and address health disparities in Genesee County.

Dr. Tillman has served on numerous boards and initiatives, including:

Executive Board, Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity

Lifetime Member, NAACP

Lead Prevention Ambassador, Black Millennials for Flint

Member, SCLC

Honors & Accolades
A voice for justice and faith, Dr. Tillman has received numerous honors, including:

Man of the Year (Atlanta, GA)

Opening Speaker, Democracy Awakening Rally (Washington, D.C.)

Key to the City of Flint (2020) – first pastor to receive it under the current administration

Personal Life
Dr. Tillman is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In 2022, he became a recording artist, releasing his first single “Heaven” in tribute to his late father, followed by “Lord I’m Trying” in 2023.

He is happily married to his wife of 16 years, First Lady Catrina Tillman, a dedicated servant leader in her own right. Together, they are raising four sons: Ezra III, Micah, Isaac, and Luke.