​​​​​​St. Matthew Baptist Church

               Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Best is the youngest of three. He is a graduate of Housatonic Community College with an Associates of Science Degree in Small Business Management; he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Bridgeport earning a Bachelor of Science in Business; and then went on to complete his graduate studies at Regent University School of Divinity earning a Master of Divinity Degree with a Concentration in Church & Ministry. Rev. Dr. Best was awarded a Doctor of Ministry Degree at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School on May 2024.

              Dr. Best began his discipleship at Friendship Baptist Church of Stratford, where he joined in January 2003 and was baptized in April of that same year, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Johnny Gamble, Founder and Pastor. Dr. Best was a faithful disciple at Friendship and during his time at Friendship, he served in many capacities in church ministries. On August 31, 2008, he delivered his initial sermon becoming the First Son of Friendship and a licensed associate minister. Through hard work and diligent study, he was then ordained into the Gospel Ministry on October 14, 2012.  On May 24, 2015, being obedient to the call of God, Dr. Best left his home church, after 13 years of service, to begin planting a new ministry. On June 14, 2015, Dr. Best delivered his first sermon as Founder and Senior Pastor of St. Matthew Baptist Church launching its first worship service at the former Bridgeport Holiday Inn.

              Under his leadership, St. Matthew Baptist Church (St. Matts) has been commissioned by the national organization of Healing Communities USA as a Station of Hope for returning citizens returning to the Bridgeport community after incarceration. Dr. Best was member church of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity, The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport, and The Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention.

              Dr. Best is the CEO of St. Matthew Community Development Corp. and President of Aaron Best Consulting, LLC., a business management company. He is a former Vice President of the Connecticut State Missionary Baptist Convention, former Board of Director and former Chairman of Congregation Relations Committee for The Council of Church of Greater Bridgeport, former Advisory Board Member of The Mayor’s Initiative on Reentry Affairs, and former member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Bridgeport and Vicinity. Dr. Best was the 2018 recipient of the Healing Communities, USA “Excellence Service Award” for reentry affairs in Washington, DC. His favorite scripture is Psalm 27, and his favorite hymn is “We Come This Far by Faith.”​

​ ​​Rev. Dr. Aaron M. Best

Founder & Senior Pastor