Rev. Dr. Alexander G. Houston is the Senior Pastor of The Christian Church in Philadelphia, an exciting hybrid, intergenerational and interdenominational church located in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. A bold, dynamic, and visionary leader, he is only the second pastor in the church’s 46-year history. Under Dr. Houston’s great leadership, the membership of the Christian Church has grown, and the church has experienced a season of wholistic congregational revitalization. Prior to his arrival in 2015, Dr. Houston served as the Senior Pastor of the Cohansey Baptist Church in Bridgeton, NJ for six years. Of note, he was the first African American pastor in the 334year history of the congregation.
A native of Trevose, PA, Dr. Houston is the product of the Bensalem Township School System. He graduated from Colgate University, Hamilton, NY as an All-American student-athlete with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy & Religion. Following Colgate and while pursuing a professional football career, Dr. Houston yielded to the call of God and retired to pursue his seminary and ministerial training at the historic Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University where he graduated in 2008 with a Master of Divinity degree with honors. He later earned his Doctor of Ministry in homiletics from Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, NJ. He has pursued numerous academic fellowships and received additional academic training at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C. & Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA.
Along with being a faithful pastor, Dr. Houston is an educator, entrepreneur, coach, and community leader known for his passion, tenacity, and approachable communication style. A former faculty member at both Eastern University and Temple University, Dr. Houston’s additional community interests are located at the intersection of faith, community, and economics. Moreover, his passion for young people fuels his work as the Head Football Coach at Bensalem High School, Bensalem, PA.
Dr. Houston is the son of the late Rev. Gordon S. & Minister Mary E. Houston and represents a continued generation of preachers in his family. He is the husband of Mrs. Erika N. Houston, a native of Memphis, TN., who along with being wife, mother, & 1st Lady, works as a Director with the Comcast Corporation. Additionally, Mrs. Houston is a 25-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Finally, their four wonderful daughters, Alana Michelle, Ava Nicole, Allyson Christina Marie, & Alexis Simone, are the greatest blessings of their lives.
His long held favorite scripture is Colossians 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed do all to the glory of the Lord Jesus.”