09/10/2026
For over 40 years, Dr. Leroy Gainey has been a champion of the local church and Gospel ministry, especially in Northern California. He served as the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Vacaville for decades as he faithfully proclaimed the name of Jesus on a weekly basis. Even after retiring, Dr. Gainey continued to champion the local church by serving as an interim pastor at various churches, including two in Vallejo.
Beyond his pastoral work, Dr. Gainey has been a dedicated advocate for Christian education at the seminary level. In the mid-1980s, he joined the faculty of Gateway Seminary (formerly Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) and made history as the first African American faculty member to be formally trustee-elected to a full-time professorship at any of the six Southern Baptist seminaries.
As a professor, Dr. Gainey devoted himself to training the next generation of local church pastors and leaders, some of whom are here today. His commitment to education and discipleship has had a profound impact on church leadership in Northern California and beyond.
Dr. Gainey’s influence extends beyond his local church, making him a pillar among Southern Baptists. We are honored to have Dr. Leroy Gainey as our guest preacher for North Hills’ 50th Anniversary service.
