Pastor Newton Coran

Our Assistant Pastor

Early Life and Family Background

Pastor Newton Coran was born on November 27, 1971, in Rowmanellieo, Maddocha, into a family committed to education and service. His father, Arue Coran, was a professor of religious studies at Griffin Christian University in Rowmanellieo, where he inspired generations of students with his knowledge of theology and scripture. Pastor Coran’s mother, Marion Coran, was a cafeteria manager at the same university and is known for her warmth and care for students and faculty. The Coran family valued faith and education, and their home was filled with books, discussions on theology, and family devotions. Newton was the youngest of three children, with siblings Moses and Rueben, who followed in the family’s footsteps, working in education and ministry.

Newton was drawn to scripture from a young age, often joining his father at university lectures and attending special chapel services. The Coran family worshiped at St. Paul Baptist Church in Rowmanellieo, where Newton received his early religious training and was baptized at age 12. As he grew older, he became deeply involved in the church’s youth group, where he developed his leadership skills and a passion for Christian education.

Education and Calling to Ministry

After graduating from Woodside High School in 1989, Pastor Coran pursued higher education at Judah Bible College in Rowmanellieo. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry and later completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. At Judah Bible College, he became a Tau Mu Iota Fraternity member, where he formed bonds with other African-American young men, including lifelong friends Aaron Talbert and Mark Rivers. Together, they led Bible study sessions and organized outreach programs for the local community.

In 1998, he continued his studies at Maas Stewart University in Petersburg, Maddocha, where he earned a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry with a concentration in Church Care and Management. While focusing on his Master's degrees, he joined Pi Nu Xi Fraternity, an African American Christian brotherhood that supported men called into the ministry. After he joined this fraternity, he was introduced to reading and studying the Bible a verse at a time by a fellow fraternity brother, Marcus Kempt, III, who would become his best friend. This Bible study method would change his life drastically. Also, at this time, he met Pastor Fred Cooks, a seasoned minister and professor who became his mentor. Pastor Cooks recognized the anointing in Pastor Coran’s life and encouraged him to pursue full-time ministry. Under Pastor Cooks’ mentorship, Pastor Coran received extensive ministerial training and began serving as Youth Pastor at Hope Fellowship Baptist Church in 2000. In this role, he taught adult Bible classes, led youth services, and served on the Christian Education Literature Selection Committee. His sermons were marked by their clarity and relatability, emphasizing how scripture could be applied to everyday life.

A New Opportunity in Edmond

In 2005, Pastor Coran accepted Pastor Samuel Bailey Wilson, III's invitation to move to Edmond, Maddocha, to serve as assistant pastor at Greater Glory Baptist Church. Pastor Wilson, having met Pastor Coran at the Maddocha Federation of Churches Annual Conference in 2002, where Pastor Coran presented a seminar on personalized Bible reading plans, was impressed by his passion for Christian education. Their mutual dedication to scripture and discipleship led to a close friendship. Pastor Wilson saw in Pastor Coran someone who could help expand Greater Glory’s teaching and discipleship ministry.

With the blessing of his mentor, Pastor Cooks, Pastor Coran moved to Edmond with his wife, Sister Onita Spooner-Coran, and their four children—Nabel, Nadal, Nadeem, and Nyla. As assistant pastor, Pastor Coran dedicated himself to teaching adult Bible classes, leading the men’s group Bible study, and supporting the church’s outreach efforts.

Bible Reading Plan Ministry

In 2007, Sister Onita Spooner-Coran suggested creating a Curated Bible Reading Plan to encourage church-wide Bible engagement. With Pastor Wilson’s support, Pastor Coran and Sister Coran launched this initiative, developing a plan that initially featured daily scriptures chosen at random. Over time, however, Pastor Coran recognized the potential to align the reading plans with the church’s sermon topics, creating a more cohesive spiritual journey for the congregation.

By 2009, the reading plans were tailored to complement the themes of Pastor Wilson’s sermons, providing members with a weekly guide to deepen their understanding of the Word. Pastor Coran and the committee worked diligently, adding these plans to the weekly church programs. In 2011, the Bible Reading Ministry expanded to a team of 10, allowing them to produce monthly handouts with themed reading plans.

Over the years, the ministry evolved further, and in 2019, the team began creating images and memory verse graphics for each reading plan. These visuals were designed to help members internalize scripture and were available for download through the church website. By the end of 2020, the ministry introduced seasonal Bible plans for specific themes, such as Resurrection Season, Gratitude, Advent, and New Year Reflections, which were enthusiastically embraced by the congregation.

Legacy and Impact

Known for his clear and practical preaching, Pastor Coran often says, “The Gospel isn’t just meant to be heard—it’s meant to be lived.” His desire to see people come to Christ and fully embrace the love of God has made him a cherished teacher and leader. Pastor Coran’s passion for Christian education has transformed Greater Glory’s approach to Bible engagement, and his curated reading plans continue to foster spiritual growth throughout the congregation.

In addition to his duties at Greater Glory, Pastor Coran remains active in the Maddocha Fellowship of Baptist Churches and frequently conducts seminars on Bible engagement and Christian education. Supported by his wife and family, he continues to lead at Greater Glory, inspiring believers to draw closer to God through scripture and live out their faith in their daily lives. 

View Pastor Coran's Blog