Meet Our New Pastor
The Reverend Curtis L. McLaughlin II
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Southwest Inc.
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The Reverend Curtis L. McLaughlin II is a native of Arlington, Virginia, born to the late Minister Curtis McLaughlin and Mrs. Barbara McLaughlin. He received his early education through the District of Columbia Public School System and the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, graduating from DeMatha Catholic High School. Rev. McLaughlin earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently pursuing the Master of Divinity degree at the John Leland Seminary.
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In 2006, Rev. McLaughlin was licensed to preach at First Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Frank D. Tucker, where he was also called to serve as full-time Youth Minister. His passion for youth development and leadership extended beyond the local church as he later served as Director of the Youth Department for the Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity from 2012 to 2016, coordinating ministry efforts among approximately 15 youth ministries serving more than 250 young people across the metropolitan region. He has also served on the Boards of Directors of both the District of Columbia Baptist Convention and the Baptist Convention of D.C. and Vicinity.
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In June 2015, Rev. McLaughlin was called to serve at Carmody Hills Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend Oscar L. Broadie, Jr., initially as Youth Director. Under his leadership, the youth ministry experienced significant spiritual and numerical growth. He played a pivotal role in expanding the Carmody Hills Youth Development Center, which provides before- and after-school programs, mentoring, culinary arts, fine arts, creative arts, and financial literacy training. Through strategic partnerships with four Prince George’s County Public Schools, he helped position the church as a trusted community resource, providing direct support to students, families, and educators. He also served on the Prince George’s County Public Schools Area 3 Cluster Community Engagement Council.
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In April 2016, Rev. McLaughlin was appointed Executive Pastor and was ordained in October of that same year. In this role, he provided pastoral and administrative oversight for 18 ministries and two community development corporations: the Carmody Hills Youth Development Center and the HOPE Center of Carmody Hills, which offers licensed professional counseling and day services to residents of Seat Pleasant, Maryland. His leadership included staff supervision, ministry development, operational systems implementation, church management software integration, and the expansion of digital giving and e-commerce solutions to strengthen stewardship and accessibility.
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On October 25, 2025, Rev. Curtis L. McLaughlin II was elected to return home and serve as the 14th Pastor of First Baptist Church of Southwest, answering God’s call to shepherd the congregation into a new season of faithfulness, growth, and community impact.
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Gifted for such a time as this, Rev. McLaughlin is known as a dynamic preacher and teacher, a thoughtful administrator, a gifted singer, counselor, revivalist, playwright, and graphic designer—bringing a unique blend of pastoral care, creative vision, and strategic leadership to the ministry of the church.
