Dr. Rodney Lavon Coleman was born in Roxboro, North Carolina and raised in nearby Leasburg. He is married to the lovely Kristal Coleman (Lady K) and is the son of Roderick and Verna Coleman. In August of 2013, Dr. Rodney Coleman became the sixth called pastor of the Historic First Baptist Church of Chapel Hill, affectionately known as FBC. Since Coleman’s arrival, FBC has experienced exponential membership growth, and increased church ministries and community partnerships.
Coleman is a 1995 graduate of Bartlett Yancey Senior High School and a 1999 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, where he earned his Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education. He is a 2008 graduate of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, where he earned his Masters in Divinity, and a 2011 graduate of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where he earned his Doctorate in Ministry. His dissertation addressed financial illiteracy of young adults in the Black rural church by providing an extensive online financial literacy curriculum.
Dr. Coleman has been preaching for 19+ years, and pastoring for 12 years. Known as, “The Pitbull of the Pulpit,” Coleman is known as a relevant and passionate preacher captures and keeps the attention of those he preaches to.
In addition to preaching and pastoring, Dr. Coleman has over 20 years of experience as a Minister of Music and 6 years as an Executive Pastor. He is the co-founder and COO of Colebro Entertainment, Inc. In addition, he is also a singer, musician, songwriter, producer, composer, certified recording engineer, an affiliate writer for SEASAC Performing Rights Organization and the founder of Riry Dean’s Music Publishing Group. Coleman recently recorded a live gospel music project entitled, “LifeSongs: The Transition,” set to be released soon.
Dr. Coleman has worked professionally as a grade teacher, a sixth grade Language Arts teacher and a Primary Reading Teacher for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. Coleman has also served in the capacities of Literacy Coordinator at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, NC, adjunct English Professor at Forsyth Technical Community College, Project Coordinator for Real Men Teach at Winston-Salem University and adjunct professor at the Apex School of Theology (Winston-Salem Site).
Dr. Coleman is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternities. Coleman enjoys golfing, bowling, and basketball, and lives his life according to Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”