The Reverend Dr. Nathanael A. Palmer I, is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He is a proud alumnus of Arkansas Baptist College and deeply believes in the value of Higher Education. In 2010 he received his B.A. in Religious Studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude. In 2016 he received his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary, once again graduating Summa Cum Laude, and in 2021 he completed his Doctor of Ministry with a specialization in Christian Preaching from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School. His educational journey has also included the completion of graduate studies from the University of Arkansas Little Rock (School of Social Work) in the area of Marriage and Family Therapy; the completion of Level I/II of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program through Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock (An affiliate of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education Inc.); an immersion study in the Elements & Essentials of Expository Preaching at West Africa Theological Seminary (Lagos, Nigeria).
Dr. Palmer has been blessed to exercise his love and gift of preaching/teaching in several conferences, college campuses, and seminars. He has been recognized as the Greater Little Rock Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference “Minister of the Year” and the recipient of a congratulatory Senate Citation by the Arkansas State Senate.
Dr. Palmer presently serves as Pastor of First Baptist Church Highland Park. He is also employed as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Religious Studies at Arkansas Baptist College and a Behavioral Health Program Trainer for St. Francis Ministries.
He is married to Janay L. Palmer, and they are the parents of Nathanael A. Palmer II, Gabrielle M. Palmer, and Josiah R. Palmer.