Edward Fairley is the 8th
of 10 children born to Mable and the late John H.
Fairley, Sr. He was educated in the Paterson public
school system, and later matriculated schools of
higher learning. Eddie, as he is affectionately
known, has, since early in life had one love that
remains constant even to this day; love for worship
in the house of The Lord. At the tender age of 5 if
asked what he desired to be when he grew up, he
quickly responded, "A preacher, like Ella
[Elder] Gilmore". Greatly influenced by this
giant of a preacher it was common for Eddie to spend
the entire day in church on Sunday out of sheer
desire. Thus, it was no surprise to anyone that Eddie
was the co-teacher of a Primary Sunday School class
at ten years of age, and an ordained Jr. Deacon at
the age of 12. In hindsight we are grateful to God
for the visionary leadership of our beloved pastor at
Faith Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C.
In addition to the foregoing, Eddie has always
had a love for music, and has been musically gifted
and anointed. There are newspaper articles that date
back to age 5 where he' d already begun to minister
to The Lord in song. And at the age of twelve he was
also a paid member of the music staff at the church
he so loved. In the spring of 1969 he entered The
United States Marine Corps, and subsequently became
the primary musician for the Jacksonville Deliverance
Center in Jacksonville, NC. It would be while serving
in the armed forces that he would finally yield to
God' s call upon his life. Licensed by the late
Bishop Clarence Gilmore in October 1969, his initial
sermon would be" Don' t Be Caught Without
It" from Hebrews 12:14. Upon completion of his
military service, and examination by an ordination
council in the State Convocation, Eddie would be the
last Elder to be ordained by Bishop Gilmore before
his demise, being ordained in August of 1972.
Pastor Fairley has served musically for more
churches, choirs, ensembles and institutions than we
can outline in this narrative, and be brief. In
ministry he has served Faith/Gilmore Memorial
Tabernacle C.O.G.I.C., Paterson; Thankful Baptist
Church, Paterson; Calvary Baptist Church, Garfield,
and Community Baptist Church of Love, Paterson. But
finally, he is the " Servant Leader" of a
child given him by The Lord on March 31, 1996.
Realizing the sacrifices of beginning a new work, and
reluctant to be removed from comfort zones; Pastor
Edward Fairley did all he could to avoid the position
he now holds as Founder and Pastor of Koinonia and
Christian Ministries. Like Jonah he attempted to
travel in other directions, but the Hand of the Lord
was upon Him. After much wrestling, praying and many
sleepless nights Pastor Fairley submitted his will to
the perfect will of God. Several weeks of travail
followed as he prepared to take this step. Finally at
8:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday, March 31, 1996, Koinonia
and Christian Ministries was founded. Services were
held in various locations until 21/2
years later on August 28th
, when he acquired a building, at 146 Rosa Parks
Blvd., Paterson. In 3 years the ministry would
outgrow this location; thus necessitating another
search for larger quarters to house the work of
ministry. That search would subsequently lead him to
their present location at 440 East 36th
Street, Paterson. Pastor Fairley is married to the
former Gail M. VanRensalier and is the father of
Edward DeShaune, Qwan Jermaine, Eutedra and Edward
LeVar; Godfather of Peggy and "Pops" to
Dashara, Little Shaune, Amaya and Bianca;
“Pop-pop” to Keyvauna; and
“Granddaddy” to Shana and Najah. Finally,
he is Pastor to Koinonia and her extended family,
both young and old.
…"To God be
the glory…"
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Pastor
Edward Fairley