Dr. Jerry D. Ingalls

Jerry D. Ingalls has served as the Lead Pastor of First Baptist Church of New Castle, Indiana since January 2010. He is an ordained minister and has been serving ABC-USA churches in pastoral ministry since 2003. Jerry is active in his community by volunteering as a chaplain with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, by preaching and teaching in his local state prison, and by serving as an assistant coach for the girls and boys Track & Field team (throws) at New Castle High School. He provides marital care as a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich Program, and he is in training to become a Certified Spiritual Director (CSD), currently studying at the School of Spiritual Direction at Fall Creek Abbey in Indianapolis. He earned a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Pastoral Studies with honors from Grace Theological Seminary (2020), a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Fuller Theological Seminary (2008), an MS in Counseling and Student Development from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University (2000), and a BS in Psychological Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point (1996). He is humbled to be a member of Cohort 3 of the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, traveling with them on study tours to Mexico and South Africa. Prior to serving in pastoral ministry, Jerry honorably served in the US Army as an Infantry Officer with assignments in the 82nd Airborne Division (2-505th PIR) and as an Olympic hopeful in the US Army’s World Class Athlete Program. While attending seminary, he served as a Chaplain Candidate, exploring God’s calling and discerning his right next step. As a cadet at West Point, Jerry was a 1996 All-American and Academic All-American athlete, the 1996 IC4A Champion, and he still holds the Academy and Patriot League records in the hammer throw. As a soldier-athlete, Jerry competed in the 1996 & 2000 USA Track & Field Olympic Team Trials, narrowly missing Team USA for the 2000 Sydney Games. Jerry married Kimberly in 1999, and, by God’s grace, they have been blessed with three wonderful children. Jerry enjoys reading with his children, exploring National Parks with his family, backcountry hiking with his friends, especially on the Appalachian Trail, walking or trail running around Westwood Lake, and competing in masters track & field (throws).