Rev. Dr. Dana Gonsal D.Min., M.Div., M.B.A.

Rev. Dr. Dana Gonsal 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 two grandchildren, JaKori and Jazira. Dana began his spiritual journey as a homeless person from the age 18-27.

Dr. Gonsal is the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dorchester and is an accomplished entrepreneur and community advocate. He also serves as a senior chaplain at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston. Dr. Gonsal is an active member on the Board of Ministers, Business and Finance Committee for the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, Moderator for the Boston Southwest Association of The American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts, Board of Fellows for Andover Newton at Yale Divinity School, Board of Directors for NECAT and he has served as a community lead organizer for Peoples Baptist Church as well as for the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) of Massachusetts.

In 2013 and 2014, he was named a Claude Black scholar, by Andover Newton Theological School and was awarded his Master of Divinity in May 2015. Dana received his Doctor of Ministry from Boston University School of Theology and was inducted into the Doctor of Ministry Leadership Honor Society. (Class of 2024)

His Faith Statement:

“I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.” (Philippians 4;13)