first lady
reverend dr. paula lake
Reverend Dr. Paula Lake, an Itinerant Elder in the AME Church, has been preaching the Gospel since 1996 under the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a native of Orlando, Florida and the youngest of six children. Dr. Paula was educated in the public school system in Orlando. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and furthered her education at Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia where she graduated with honors, receiving a Master of Divinity Degree, with a concentration in Church Administration. She earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland, Ohio in Black Church Studies in 2012.
During her time in Atlanta, Dr. Paula served as Assistant Pastor at Flat Rock AME Church and later at Greater St. Peter AME Church where she worked in several ministerial capacities. She spearheaded the planning, developing, staffing, and licensing of the Greater St. Peter Child Care Center for children 6wks – 5 years old.
Dr. Paula relocated back to Orlando in 2001 and joined the staff of St. Mark AME Church, under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L. Green, as the Executive Pastor and Church Administrator. Dr. Paula also served as Church Administrator at Mount Hermon AME Church, Fort Lauderdale under the leadership of Bishop John F. White.
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Dr. Paula has served alongside her husband of 24 years, Pastor Eddie Lake, in churches in Hollywood, Fort Myers, Miami, and Lakeland, Florida. On October 27, 2023, Pastor Lake was appointed to Allen Chapel AME Church and Dr. Paula serves with him, they are looking forward to doing great Kingdom work in Daytona Beach.
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Reverend Dr. Paula Lake is the Director of Christian Education for the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She also serves on the Board of Examiners for the Central Conference. She is an Adjunct Professor at Southeastern University in Lakeland. Dr. Lake is a sought after speaker for Women’s Conferences and Strategic Leadership training for church leaders.
Reverend Dr. Paula Lake is anointed and committed to ministry. She and Pastor Eddie are the proud parents of two daughters, Kalea and Jessica Lake and a son, Edward “Deuce” Lake, II.
Dr. Paula holds to the scripture: “ . . . but I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (I Corinthians 9:27)
