Mass/Shephard
Church of God by Faith
Come as you are; you can change inside.
called to serve
Pastor Gary Dutton
Gary L. Dutton was born in Newark, New Jersey to Bessie Dutton and Herbert Taylor. In 1983, after graduating high school, he was employed as a maintenance worker for Hoffman-LaRoche (later known as Roche) in Nutley, NJ. Gary took advantage of many educational and training opportunities offered by the company which resulted in his acquisition of various skills and/or certifications in pipefitting, plumbing, HVAC, back flow prevention, fire systems inspection, and welding -- to name a few.
While working at “Roche”, Dutton met Leroy Shoulars, Jr., a young minister who served at the Newark Church of God by Faith, under the tutelage of Elder Dr. Theodore Brown. Though Dutton had accepted Christ into his heart years earlier, it was through his friendship with Minister Shoulars, that he developed a deeper understanding of the Word of God. And, this friendship also led to Gary meeting Monica -- Elder Brown’s granddaughter. Gary and Monica became husband and wife (with Leroy and his wife, Andrea, at their side) on August 3, 1996.
Over the years, Dutton has served the Church of God by Faith (COGBF) organization in several capacities including: janitor, choir member, Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Scholarship Board President, and Northeastern District Usher Board President. After accepting his “call” into the ministry in 2016, Dutton began his ministerial training with COGBF Theological Institute in the spring of 2017. He preached his initial sermon May 20, 2017 at the Newark COGBF and, in December of the same year, presiding Bishop James E. McKnight, Jr. (after a discussion with Superintendent Elder Dr. James Bivins) appointed Minister Dutton to pastor the COGBF site in Springfield, MA. Being assigned to Springfield was a special privilege for the Duttons. Theodore N. Brown, their beloved uncle, was the first pastor of this location and was growing a beautiful ministry before his tragic death in December 2001.
January 2018, Minister Gary Dutton began his service as pastor of Theodore N. Brown Memorial Church of God by Faith (TNBM COGBF). Honored to carry on the legacy, he and his wife, Monica, gladly traveled from Union, NJ, to Springfield, MA to meet and strategize with Joyce Brown (wife of Theodore N. Brown), and held weekly services in the home of Lenora Johnson. In March 2018, through the grace of God, Pastor Dutton and the small, but dedicated congregation “crossed the water” and obtained a building in West Springfield. They joyfully served at this location until March 2021; closing its physical doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic that changed our world.
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As a result, TNBM COGBF became a church without walls and Pastor Dutton began to gather the members online. In January 2022, recognizing the wonderful opportunity to "reach the masses" via the world-wide web, the ministry was renamed Mass Church of God by Faith.
December 2023, Dutton was also called to pastor his "home church" in Newark, NJ (aka Shephard COGBF). This appointment came twenty years after the passing of Elder Dr. Theodore Brown, the Duttons' grandfather and former pastor, who had lead the Newark church for over 40 years. Now, carrying on the work of great leaders who preceded him, Pastor Dutton continuously seeks the Lord's wisdom and strategy concerning the ministry of Mass/Shephard Church of God by Faith.
Two locations. One goal... to represent Christ.
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The legacy continues… We are anticipating what the Lord will do next!
Pastoral Support
Need to talk?...
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Pastor Dutton stands ready to listen, share a Word of encouragement, and/or pray with you.
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Feel free to reach out via email. On the
"Subject" line, type FOR PASTOR. Be sure to leave a callback number.
Lady Monica Dutton
aka "Mrs. D"
Monica S. Dutton, fruit of Marilyn (Brown) Stancil and Richard Williams, was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She was also born into the Church of God by Faith, Inc. (COGBF) and attended the Newark site where her grandfather, Elder Dr. Theodore Brown pastored. From a child, Monica was always involved in church activities. Over the years, she served as choir member, usher, announcer, secretary, choir director, youth leader, scholarship committee member, janitor, and Sunday school teacher — to name a few.
Educated in the Newark public school system, Monica went on to attend Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts where she studied Theatre Arts. In her senior year, she also attended Howard University in Washington, DC for a semester exchange program. Although Monica had been raised “in the church”, it was during her college years that she truly developed a personal relationship with Christ and accepted Him as Lord of her life.
Upon her Smith graduation (May 1989), Monica was hired as an Arts Administrator for Hospital Audiences, Inc. in New York City. She switched gears, in 1994, and pursued a career in education. After obtaining a NJ teaching certificate, Monica started working as a substitute teacher in Newark, her hometown. Then, along came Gary.
Gary Dutton came to the Newark COGBF one Sunday to hear his co-worker, Minister Leroy Shoulars, Jr. speak. After service, Shoulars introduced Gary to his childhood friend, Monica. Months later, on April 1, 1996, Monica and Gary had their first telephone conversation. On August 3, 1996 they were married.
In 1997, Monica started a summer program at the Newark COGBF designed to provide educational, recreational, and spiritual activities for community youth. Participants (aka "campers") affectionately called her “Mrs. D” — a name by which she is still known today. The God-centered program ("camp") was a blessing to many until its closing in 2015.
From 2004 to 2018, Monica was also employed as a teacher at Abundant Life Academy (ALA) in Nutley, NJ. ALA afforded Mrs. D the opportunity to blossom and stretch as an educator. At various times, she taught 7th grade (all subjects), 5th-8th (Science), PreK-12th (Music), and high school (Drama). But, best of all, at ALA she had the freedom to openly share her faith with students and their families.
At present, Mrs. D is gladly working beside her husband, Pastor Dutton; doing whatever she can to help enhance the ministry, uplift others, and bring glory to God. In addition, the Duttons are joyfully raising their daughter, Monette, who was born in 2022!
