Dr. Nathanael A. Palmer I

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 earned his Master of Divinity from Memphis Theological Seminary, once again graduating summa cum laude. In 2021, he completed his Doctor of Ministry with a specialization in Christian Preaching from Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School. His educational journey also includes graduate studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (School of Social Work) in Marriage and Family Therapy, completion of Levels I and II of the Clinical Pastoral Education Program through Baptist Health Medical Center Little Rock (an affiliate of the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.), and an immersion study in the Elements and Essentials of Expository Preaching at West Africa Theological Seminary in Lagos, Nigeria.

Dr. Palmer has exercised his love and gift of preaching and teaching at 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 has received a congratulatory Senate Citation from the Arkansas State Senate.

Dr. Palmer is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church Highland Park. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Division of Religious Studies at Arkansas Baptist College and a Family-Centered Treatment 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.