Bishop
Regretta E. Ruffin

Bishop Regretta E. Ruffin is a native of Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of  Mrs. Julia M. Burruss and the late Pastor R. Burruss, Sr. of the New St. Paul Baptist Church. 

 

​Bishop Ruffin is musically inclined with the ability to play several instruments. 

She was director and musician for several choirs in the Metropolitan Area and eventually became the director for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

 

Bishop Ruffin strongly believes in education, not only for preaching ability but to enhance the whole person which God has created. Because of her quest for knowledge, at the age of 15, she graduated from McKinley Tech High School in Northeast Washington with honors. While still attending high school, she studied at the University of the District of Columbia majoring in Mortuary Science, and later received her degree from Catonsville Community College, Baltimore, MD (1981). She also matriculated at the Howard University School of the Arts for studies in music. She received her Master of Science from the University of Maryland (1986), Master of Theology from Richmond Virginia Seminary (1996), Master of Divinity from Virginia Union University (1999), Doctorate of Theology from Eastern Theological Seminary, Phil., Pa. (2001), and Doctorate of Ministry from Richmond Virginia Seminary (2007).      

 

Bishop Ruffin has been the Senior Pastor of the Greater New St Paul Baptist Church for over 32 years. She is a preacher anointed and appointed by God and is known as a friend to Pastors. Bishop Ruffin is a Founding Partner of the John C Maxwell Team of Certified Coaches, Teachers, Mentors, and Speakers, training Pastors and Leaders around the nation.  She has received several Governor Citations and Awards, including the Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama.  She has served as President of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Alexandria Virginia and Vicinity, President of The Washington Metropolitan Ministerium, and Vice-President of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Baltimore & Vicinity.  She formerly served as the President of the Mt. Bethel Baptist Educational Congress for four years, and presently serves as Founder and Facilitator of the Washington Metropolitan Area Lenten Journey & Fellowship, and as a member serving in various capacities at conferences and conventions too numerous to name.

 

On March 20, 2004, God blessed her with the one whom her soul loves and she became the wife of Pastor Rodney E. Ruffin, who is the Pastor of the Elim Baptist Church in Temple Hills, Maryland. And the half has not been told, nor revealed what God has in store for His servant! Bishop Ruffin first thanks Almighty God for all that He has done, and is doing in her life. Secondly, she thanks God for a husband who accepts her for all that God made her to be.  Thirdly, she rejoices in having saved parents who encouraged her to be all that she can be. Finally, she thanks Him for enabling her, counting her worthy and putting her in the ministry. To God Be The Glory!!!