Cathedral International is the present-day name of what has been a fixture on the skyline of Perth Amboy since 1904, when it was first organized as the Second Baptist Church. Today it operates as one congregation with multiple worship sites across central New Jersey, anchored by its main sanctuary at 277 Madison Avenue in Perth Amboy, with additional campuses in Asbury Park and South Plainfield, a separate Spanish-language site called Iglesia Catedral, and a Family Life Enrichment Center one block away on Madison Avenue. The church describes itself in three phrases that capture its blended identity: Baptist by denomination, Pentecostal by experience, Holiness by choice.
Cathedral International's five-fold mission is to Evangelize, Educate, Emancipate, Empower and Expand in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, accomplished through Loving, Lifting and Liberating humanity. Senior Pastor Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr., D.Min., leads a church that claims more than 40 working ministries and reaches members who travel from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Cathedral International is a member congregation of the American Baptist Churches, USA, and the bishop also serves as the Presiding Prelate Emeritus and founder of the Covenant Ecumenical Fellowship and Cathedral Assemblies (CEFCA), now known as Covenant Fellowship Alliance (CFA).
One Church in Three Locations
Cathedral International's flagship gathering is the Sunday Worship service at 9:30 a.m. in the main sanctuary at 277 Madison Avenue, Perth Amboy. The Sunday school hour precedes it: Adult Sunday School meets from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and Men's Sunday School meets from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., both in the Family Life Enrichment Center at 272 Madison Avenue. Children and Youth Sunday School runs from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., so families can drop off their children and head into the sanctuary for worship.
The Plainfield campus at 201 Hamilton Boulevard in South Plainfield offers an earlier Sunday rhythm, beginning with Sunday School at 7:30 a.m. followed by Sunday Worship. The Asbury Park campus at 1200 Grand Avenue gathers for Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m. The fourth site, Iglesia Catedral at 205 Smith Street in Perth Amboy, meets for Spanish-language worship on Sundays at 10:30 a.m., with translation available during English services at the main campus for Latino congregants. Cathedral International also partners with an affiliated nonprofit, the Cathedral Community Development Corporation (CCDC), that runs social and economic programs out of the same network.
Beyond Sunday morning, the Cathedral International calendar is unusually full. Early Morning Prayer is a daily conference call held Monday through Friday at 6:30 a.m. (dial (667) 770-1524, access code 736131#). A separate Power Prayer Call out of Perth Amboy runs on the same Monday-through-Friday 6:30 a.m. slot on a different number, while the Asbury Park congregation meets for prayer at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesdays and the Plainfield campus gathers at 6:00 a.m. on Thursdays. Saturday morning opens with the Corporate Prayer Gathering at the main sanctuary from 8:45 to 11:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month, followed by an Intercessory Prayer hour at noon at 277 Madison Avenue. The first Friday of every month brings Evening Corporate Prayer from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Wednesday Bible Study and Weekday Bible Studies
Midweek teaching happens through Wonderful Wednesday in the Word, a Zoom-based Bible study that meets every Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Zoom ID is 96839503848 and the passcode is 200470. Thursday evenings belong to the teens, with CI Nation Teen Bible Study meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the main Perth Amboy campus. Parents gather on the second Saturday of each month from noon to 1:00 p.m. for the Parents Ministry on Zoom (ID 889 5854 8461), and the Single Parent Ministry launched under the leadership of Dr. Judith L. Francis meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. on the same Wonderful Wednesday Zoom credentials. The Remnant, the young-adult fellowship led by Minister Justin White, gathers on the third Friday night of each month in Perth Amboy for worship, teaching, and a meal.
What Cathedral International Believes
Cathedral International's stated Tenets of Faith run the length of historic Christian orthodoxy with a Pentecostal accent. The church confesses the scriptures as the sole and final authority for matters of faith and conduct, and the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as one God in three persons. Its members affirm the creation and fall of humanity, the full deity and true humanity of Jesus Christ, his atoning death, burial, and bodily resurrection, his ascension into Heaven, and his personal, literal return. Salvation is by grace through repentance and faith in the finished work of the cross, and water baptism by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is taught as a necessary step of obedience for the believer.
The church also teaches the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a real experience that can occur at or subsequent to salvation, along with the ongoing operation of the spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and Romans 12. The Lord's Supper, often called Holy Communion or the Eucharist, is celebrated as a table for believers. The church recognizes the divinely appointed offices of bishop, pastors, elders, and deacons for the equipping of the church. Cathedral International defines marriage as the lifelong covenant union of one man and one woman and states that it will not perform or bless same-sex unions.
Two further beliefs shape the church's public identity. First, a commitment to social justice advocacy: speaking truth to power, empowering the broken, and inviting both victims and violators to live under the authority of God. Second, a self-description that names both its liturgical and its charismatic roots: historic Christian liturgy held in tension with Pentecostal fervor, and a call to spirit-filled living held in tension with social renewal.
Children, Teens, and Young Adults: CI Nation
Children and youth work at Cathedral International is organized under the banner CI Nation, led by Minister Valerie Dupree. The nursery serves children from birth through age 3, giving parents space to engage fully in worship. The Children and Youth Ministry reaches ages 4 through 17 with interactive Bible lessons, worship, small group discussions, service opportunities, and special events. The program includes age-appropriate classes for Children (ages 6-12) and Teens (ages 13-17), as well as Children and Teen Church on the third Sunday of each month.
CI Nation maintains a steady social media presence, with accounts on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify under the handle CI_Nation, plus a podcast called Light of Youth that streams through Buzzsprout. Confirmation classes are available online, and interactive sessions and digital platforms keep youth connected between Sundays. Vacation Bible School is a one-week summer event that intentionally reinforces the church's broader mission and adds a global-mission component to its crafts, drama, and recreation. Sidewalk Sunday School takes VBS-style teaching outdoors to neighborhood children ages 4 to 12 during the summer months.
For college-age young adults, the Remnant Young Adult Ministry meets on the third Friday night of each month in Perth Amboy for intimate worship, teaching, and food, and maintains an Instagram presence as @CI_TheRemnant.
Music, Dance, and the Arts
The Music Ministry, led by Deacon George Turk, oversees the Cathedral Choir, the Unity Choir, and the Men's Choir for adult singers. Sis. Leslie Lukoma directs the youth choirs: JoyBells for ages 5 to 12 and Keita Teens for ages 13 to 18. The Dance Ministry is anchored by Minister Sentheia McLeod, who leads Imani Liturgical Dance Ministry for adults, Kingdom Dancers for ages 7 to 12, and Ladies of Virtue for ages 13 to 17. The Cathedral Banner of Glory, a flag ministry for adults, is co-led by Rev. Karen Fredrick-Martin and Rev. Dina Bowser. Rehearsals for the dance and banner ministries are held together on Friday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. on the third-floor dance studio of the Family Life Enrichment Center at 272 Madison Avenue, Perth Amboy.
Cathedral Productions, a media ministry led by Minister Lloyd Vaughan and Rev. Brian Major, supports the live worship experience with sound reinforcement and video projection, captures services and special events for broadcast and evangelism, and manages the church's online and broadcast presence.
Men, Women, Marriage, and Family
The Men's Ministry, led by Minister William Leach, Deacon Robert Williams, and Rev. Mark Lewis, gathers for Bible study every Sunday from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. and runs outreach activities like fellowship breakfasts and street evangelism. Each man is encouraged to maintain a prayer partner for accountability. The Men's Prayer Line meets Monday through Friday from 7:00 to 7:30 a.m. by phone.
The Women's Ministry, led by First Lady Pastor Phyllis Hilliard and Deacon Karen Johnson, gathers for empowerment, encouragement, and opportunities for physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The Marriage Ministry is led by Elder Dwayne and Deacon Valerie Trawick along with Deacon Bill and Deacon Audrey Swinson. Married couples grow together through social events, retreats, and marriage-building activities, and engaged couples receive pre-marital classes from this ministry.
Seniors, Singles, and Parents
The Senior Citizens Ministry, established in 1983 when Bishop Hilliard became pastor and led by Sis. Louise Williams and Sis. Susie McKnight, meets weekly for Bible study, arts and crafts, guest speakers, and a fellowship luncheon. The group also hosts fundraisers, day trips, and an annual Senior's Fashion Show. The Parents Ministry offers a Saturday Zoom gathering for caregivers to connect and grow together. The Single Parent Ministry, launched under Dr. Judith L. Francis, meets on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month via Zoom for encouragement, support, and community.
Assimilation, Discipleship, and Pastoral Care
Newcomers are shepherded through the Assimilation Ministry, headed by Elder Dwayne Trawick and Deacon Diane Crawford, which connects new members to a ministry that fits them. The Discipleship Ministry, led by Elder Dwayne Trawick and Rev. Tina Adams, registers new members for New Members Classes and Water Baptism and prepares them to participate in the life of the church. Pastoral Care serves, protects, and prays for the pastors who proclaim the Gospel.
Cathedral Doorkeepers, led by Deacon Annette Blair and Deacon Robert Williams, includes both adult and youth (ages 7-18) teams that greet and seat people as they arrive. The Cathedral Greeters, led by Sis. Sabrina Ellis, focus on the smiles and presence that set the tone for worship. The Security ministry, called Fruit of Jesus and led by Bro. Mark Kelley and Deacon Jessie Brown, keeps the sanctuary and surrounding areas safe.
The Cathedral Counseling Center
The Cathedral Counseling Center, an extension of the church's work, offers pastoral counseling to the wider community. The Career Ministry, led by Deacon Renee Jenkins, posts employment opportunities through Facebook and offers counsel on career strategies.
CCDC: A Nonprofit Built for Community Development
The Cathedral Community Development Corporation (CCDC) is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Bishop Donald Hilliard Jr. in 1990 and led by Executive Director Rev. Tina Adams. CCDC operates programs in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and surrounding areas. Its work is organized into five areas: Affordable Housing Access; Social and Human Services, including case management, counseling, food assistance, and emergency support; Educational Enrichment, including after-school programs, job readiness training, tutoring, and life-skills development; Health and Wellness Support, including preventative care, mental health services, wellness workshops, and community health screenings; and Economic Empowerment, including entrepreneurial training and financial literacy workshops.
Among CCDC's signature programs: the Second Wind Financial Literacy and Value Investment Training Program (FLVITP), which teaches participants to identify and manage available resources, establish financial accounts, rebuild credit, secure stable housing, and practice fiscal responsibility. CCDC's Second Wind services are delivered in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, Office of Community Engagement and Reintegration Initiatives, supporting returning citizens as they reintegrate. CCDC also runs a regular Clothing Outreach providing free new clothing, including seasonal apparel, coats, shirts, pants, and other essentials, to children, adults, seniors, and families.
Mercy House, which sits under the CCDC umbrella and is headed by Sis. Milly Garland, distributes food, diapers, school supplies, toys, and other items on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until all goods are gone, and on the third Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. until all goods are gone. A separate Super Saturday Food Distribution takes place at 8:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month.
Iglesia Catedral: Worship in Spanish
Cathedral International's Spanish Ministry, led by Pastor Esteban Santana, holds a Spanish-language worship service every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at 205 Smith Street in Perth Amboy, and Spanish translation is available during the English-language services at the main campus. The ministry exists to welcome the large Latino population of the surrounding communities into the full life of the church.
Educare: Scholarships and Education Support
The Educare program, named for a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quote, "Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of true education," supports high school and college students through educational workshops and direct scholarship assistance. Over the last decade, more than $200,000 has been distributed in scholarship funds to Cathedral International members, and significant contributions have been made to the United Negro College Fund. Applications open each June for Associate, Bachelor, and Graduate-level students who are members in good standing.
Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, and Baby Dedications
Water Baptism is held at the Perth Amboy campus on the first Sunday of each month, on Good Friday, and once a year in the ocean off Asbury Park's beachfront. The ordinance takes place during the 9:30 a.m. worship service and is preceded by a Baptism Class. Weddings are performed only between a man and a woman in keeping with the church's stated belief in marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. Funeral services are held at both the Perth Amboy and Asbury Park locations. Baby Dedication requests, like baptism, wedding, and funeral requests, are submitted through online forms.
Giving and Membership
Giving is available online, including Text Giving (text 732-253-4144 with the amount to give) and a Givelify option. Online giving through EasyTithe and a constant-contact newsletter signup are also offered. Membership is open to anyone wishing to formally commit to the local body of believers, and a separate online form makes it easy to update contact information for existing members.
Volunteering and Service
Volunteer Opportunities are coordinated through an online form, with areas of interest ranging from administrative, audio/visual, buildings and grounds, housekeeping, graphic arts, event planning, information technology, marketing, and maintenance, to the nursery. All volunteers who will work with youth are required to submit to a background check and fingerprinting before being approved.
Streaming and Staying Connected
Sunday Morning Worship is streamed online for those who cannot attend in person, and recordings are made available through Cathedral Productions. The Cathedral International YouTube channel (CATHEDRALNJ) hosts past services, while CI Nation maintains a separate YouTube channel, podcast, Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify presence. The Plainfield campus marked its 25th anniversary, and Asbury Park hosts a recurring Jazz on the Lawn gathering on its grounds. Live-stream links and the church calendar can be subscribed to through Google Calendar, Outlook 365, or by exporting an .ics file.
What to Expect as a First-Time Visitor
Anyone attending a Sunday morning service will find a Christ-centered, multicultural congregation that blends historic Baptist liturgy with Pentecostal worship. The Perth Amboy main campus is the largest gathering, beginning with Adult Sunday School at 8:00 a.m. and Sunday Worship at 9:30 a.m. Children and youth can be dropped off for their own Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. The Asbury Park and South Plainfield campuses offer their own Sunday School and worship times for those who live closer to them, and the Iglesia Catedral site offers Spanish-language worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. Visitors who want to participate by phone can join the Early Morning Prayer call any weekday morning at 6:30 a.m., and the Wonderful Wednesday in the Word Bible study is open to anyone with the Zoom credentials.
Cathedral International's leadership welcomes newcomers and follows up through the Assimilation Ministry. To formally join, members complete a New Member Information Form online. Anyone in need of pastoral care can submit a Prayer Request online. Those exploring faith for the first time can connect through the Knowing Christ ministry. Cathedral International describes itself as "One Church in Three Locations experiencing the Wonder, Worship and Witness of Jesus Christ."