Madison Avenue Baptist Church is a church where people go out of their way to speak to you, a place of worship that honors everyone, and a community of faith that follows a gospel of joy and laughter. These are the people who help make it happen. (Please note: The email link for Rev. Sparks is not a private address. If you wish to send a confidential message, please contact the church for more information.)
Susan Sparks, Senior Pastor
As a trial lawyer turned standup comedian and Baptist minister, Susan Sparks is America’s only female comedian with a pulpit. A North Carolina native, Susan received her B.A. at the University of North Carolina where she was President of her Class and a law degree from Wake Forest University.
After ten years as a lawyer moonlighting as a standup, she left her practice and spent two years on a solo trip around the world, including working with Mother Teresa’s mission in Calcutta, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and driving the Alaska Highway. Upon returning home, she entered Union Theological Seminary in New York City where she earned a Master of Divinity and wrote an honors thesis on humor and religion. In May 2007, Susan was installed as MABC’s 15th Senior Minister and the first woman in its 170-year history.
Susan is also a professional comedian touring nationally with a Rabbi and a Muslim Comic in the Laugh in Peace Tour. Her work with humor, healing, and spirituality has been featured in O (The Oprah) Magazine, the New York Times, and on such networks as ABC, CNN, CBS, and The History Channel.
A TEDx speaker and an award-winning nationally syndicated columnist, Susan is the best-selling author of five books, including her newest, Love, a Tiara, and a Cupcake: Three Secrets to Finding Happy!
Susan is the recipient of the Intersections International Award for her interfaith work to promote justice and reconciliation among diverse communities as well as the John L. Haber Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts given by the University of North Carolina.
Most importantly, Susan and her husband Toby love to fly-fish, ride their Harleys, eat good BBQ, and root for Tar Heel Basketball and the Green Bay Packers. For more information, check out SusanSparks.com!
Aza Sydykov, Minister of Music
MABC is thrilled to welcome our new Minister of Music Aza Sydykov! A concert pianist who made his professional debut at age 17 with the Russian Philharmonic, Aza is an internationally known vocal coach, conductor, accompanist, and arts entrepreneur. The recipient of numerous awards, Aza has performed all over the world, including as a solo pianist at Carnegie Hall. He is a graduate of Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Mannes Music, and New York’s New School University. He also serves as President of the Kyrgyz American Foundation in New York City, which sponsors the Eurasia Festival as well as various cultural exchange and educational activities. For more, check out Aza’s website at AzaSydykov.com.
Church Staff
Brian E. Crowson, Parish Administrator
Troy Gordon, Sexton/Property Manager
MABC Choir
Officers and Board Chairs
Adom Crew and Brad Blevins, Co-Chairs, Trustees
Rodney Dunlap-Keener, Moderator
Kevin Davis and Tracy McMillen, Co-Chairs, Christian Education
Adom Crew, Chairperson, Community Ministries
Jackie Friedmann, Chairperson, Fellowship
Joseph Pilla, Clerk