5 Ways First Baptist Church Of Lincoln Gardens In Somerset, NJ, Is Redefining Community Impact In 2025

The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) in Somerset, New Jersey, stands today, in late 2025, not just as a spiritual sanctuary but as a powerhouse of social and economic innovation, continually setting the national standard for faith-based community development. Under its dynamic new leadership, the church has successfully transitioned from the celebrated legacy of its former pastor while launching a groundbreaking environmental justice initiative that has captured statewide attention.

This comprehensive article dives into the latest, most impactful initiatives and the current leadership shaping the future of this iconic New Jersey institution, proving that its mission extends far beyond the traditional Sunday service and into the core of community well-being, economic empowerment, and environmental health.

The Reverend Danté R. Quick, Ph.D.: The Current Senior Pastor’s Profile

The transition of leadership is a critical moment for any megachurch, and FBCLG's selection of its new spiritual guide marks a clear focus on contemporary social issues, particularly mental health and education. The Reverend Danté R. Quick, Ph.D., now serves as the Senior Pastor, bringing a fresh, scholarly, and mission-driven perspective to the pulpit.

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• Full Name: The Reverend Danté R. Quick, Ph.D.
• Current Role: Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG)
• Election Date: May 24, 2022 (Elected as the fourth senior pastor)
• Key Focus Areas: Black mental health advocacy, faith-based innovation, community engagement, and social justice.
• Legacy Connection: Dr. Quick succeeded the highly influential Reverend Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr., who retired in July 2021 after 30 years of transformative ministry, including the nationally recognized dfree® financial freedom movement.
• Current Initiatives: Deepening the church’s commitment to addressing mental health within the Black community and overseeing the launch of The Genesis Project™.

The $1 Million Genesis Project™: A New Era of Environmental Justice

One of the most significant and recent developments at the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens is the launch and substantial funding of The Genesis Project™. This initiative is a bold, innovative vision that firmly positions the church as a leader in the intersection of faith and environmental justice.

In a major win for the Somerset, NJ community, The Genesis Project™ was recently awarded a substantial $1 Million NJ Legislative Grant in July 2025. This funding is a testament to the project's transformative potential and its recognition by state leadership as a model for faith-based innovation.

The mission of The Genesis Project™ is centered on three core pillars designed to create a more sustainable and equitable future for its residents:

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1. Affordable, Quality Food Access: Addressing food deserts and insecurity by developing programs that ensure residents have access to healthy, affordable produce and meals. This pillar often involves community gardens, food distribution, and education on nutrition.
2. Clean Energy Initiatives: Reducing the financial burden of energy costs for low-income families through the implementation of clean energy solutions. This could involve solar panel installations, energy efficiency workshops, and other sustainable practices.
3. Economic Opportunity: Creating job training and employment pathways within the emerging green economy. By focusing on sustainability, the project simultaneously fosters economic empowerment and community wealth-building.

This comprehensive approach to environmental justice demonstrates FBCLG’s commitment to addressing systemic issues that disproportionately affect marginalized communities, moving beyond charity to structural change.

FBCLG’s Five Pillars of Modern Community Transformation

The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens (FBCLG) operates a wide array of ministries, but five key areas currently exemplify its modern, holistic approach to serving the Somerset and wider New Jersey community in late 2025.

1. The Freedom School: Integrating Faith, History, and Mental Wellness

The Freedom School is one of the church’s most unique and vital educational ministries. It goes far beyond traditional Sunday School, offering a curriculum that deliberately integrates the study of the Bible with Black history and culture. This dual focus ensures that students are rooted in both their faith and their heritage.

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Critically, the school’s youth courses under Dr. Quick’s leadership have made Black mental health a key area of focus. The curriculum now actively helps students recognize and cope with complex emotional states, including anxiety, fear, shame, depression, and perfectionism. This proactive approach to mental wellness is a significant step in supporting the next generation.

2. The dfree® Financial Freedom Movement: A Lasting Economic Legacy

While Dr. DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. retired in 2021, his legacy continues to define the church’s economic outreach. The dfree® (debt-free) financial freedom movement was birthed at FBCLG and remains a core part of its mission. The program is a national initiative promoting financial literacy, debt elimination, and wealth-building through a faith-based lens. It provides tools and principles to help individuals and families achieve economic stability and financial empowerment, making it a foundational entity of the church’s community impact.

3. Career Support Group Resource Hub

In response to ongoing economic shifts, the church maintains a robust Career Support Group Resource Hub. This ministry is a new support resource for the church and the broader community, providing essential services for those navigating job transitions or seeking career advancement. The hub is a practical expression of the church's commitment to economic stability, offering resources, networking opportunities, and guidance to help members secure meaningful employment.

4. Missions, Evangelism, and Social Justice

FBCLG’s ministry structure is deeply committed to global and local outreach. The department focusing on Missions, Evangelism, and Social Justice ensures the church is actively involved in meeting the needs of the church family and the surrounding community. This includes local outreach programs, global mission trips, and advocacy for social change, aligning the church's spiritual mandate with its responsibility to act as an agent of justice and service in the world.

5. The Lions of Judah Men's Ministry

The church maintains strong, focused groups for specific demographics, such as the Lions of Judah Men's Ministry. This group meets regularly, typically on the first Tuesday of every month, to foster spiritual growth, accountability, and fellowship among the men of the church community. Such dedicated ministries are vital for building internal strength and providing a supportive network for members, which in turn fuels their ability to serve the wider community.

FBCLG: Rooted in Tradition, Growing in Innovation

The First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, located at 771 Somerset St., Somerset, NJ 08873, is a powerful example of a contemporary church that honors its deeply rooted traditions while aggressively pursuing innovative solutions to modern problems. From its historic role in the New Jersey community to its current focus on environmental justice through The Genesis Project™ and mental wellness through the Freedom School, FBCLG continues to be a beacon of hope and a model for what a faith institution can achieve in the 21st century. The church’s commitment to holistic well-being—spiritual, financial, environmental, and mental—solidifies its reputation as a leading voice for social and community transformation in the state of New Jersey and across the nation.