Rev. Dana Gonsal, M.Div., M.B.A.
Senior Pastor
Reverend Dana Gonsal first accepted Christ in his life in March of 1987, and he was baptized at The Morning Star Baptist Church located in the Mattapan section of Boston. He answered the Divine Calling to ministry in 1997 under Rev. John Matthews Borders III, Senior Pastor of The Morning Star Baptist Church and began his seminary training classes at Boston University’s School of Theology. Under the advice of his mentor, the late Dr. Anthony C. Campbell, Homiletic Professor and Director of Boston University’s Marsh Chapel, he enrolled at the Gordon Conwell Theological Center for Urban Ministry where he received a certificate in Urban Ministry in May of 2010. Desiring to strengthen his academic foundation, Dana was accepted to the Andover Newton Theological School Master of Divinity program. He was named Claude Black scholar in 2013 and 2014 and was awarded his Masters of Divinity in May 2015.
He joined People’s Baptist Church to serve in the ministry of the Reverend Dr. Wesley A. Roberts in September 2002. He became the Superintendent of Christian Education and also served as President of the Men’s fellowship. He was ordained as a deacon in 2005 and began serving as Co-Chairman of the Prison Ministry. May 12, 2013, Reverend Gonsal received his pre-ordination-license for ministry by the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, and on September 25, 2016, he was ordained by the American Baptist Churches USA.
Pastor Dana is also an accomplished entrepreneur and community advocate. He received his M.B.A. in Small Business from Boston University. At the age of twenty-three, he founded The Classic Shoe Shine Corporation, where he continues to hold the position of President/CEO. Through God’s grace, Classic Shoe Shine has expanded throughout New England, including Boston Logan International Airport and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Pastor Dana also has been the lead community organizer for People’s Baptist Church as well as for several organizations throughout New England, including the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) of Massachusetts.
Pastor Dana currently serves as Senior Pastor at the First Baptist Church in Dorchester. In addition to his role at FBCD, Pastor Dana also serves as Senior Protestant Chaplain at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston MA. He is a board member of the Administration & Finance committee for The American Baptist Churches Of Massachusetts (TABCOM), Chairman of the Nominating Committee for the Boston Southwest Association, and a member of the Board of Fellows for Andover Newton at Yale Divinity School.
Pastor Dana is a native of Boston Massachusetts. He both met and married his wife, Wanda, at People’s Baptist Church in Boston. They have a daughter, Jaida, and one grandchild, JaKori. Pastor Dana loves kite flying and scuba diving. His Faith Statement reads:
“The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.”
Isaiah 50:4 NIV
