Leadership

New Here

Your New Begining Dosen't End when Worship ends.

Our Leadership

Servant Leadership. Biblical Integrity. Kingdom Purpose.

At New Beginnings International Ministries Church, we believe spiritual leadership is first and foremost a call to serve.

Our leaders are committed to following the example of Jesus Christ by teaching the Word of God, caring for His people, developing disciples, strengthening families, and equipping believers to fulfill their God-given purpose.

As a virtual Ministry with a growing reach beyond geographical boundaries, New Beginnings is committed to leadership that is biblically grounded, relationally connected, spiritually accountable, and accessible to the people we serve.

 Our desire is not simply to build an organization. We are committed to building people-developing disciples and leaders who will carry the Gospel into their homes, families, communities, workplaces, and wherever God sends them.  

Rev. Leon C. Leath

Founder & Senior Pastor


Rev. Leon C. Leath is the Founder and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings International Ministries Church, a virtual, Christ-centered ministry based in Panama City, Florida, committed to reaching beyond walls and geographical boundaries with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His ministry is rooted in biblical preaching, discipleship, servant leadership, strengthening families, and helping believers discover and fulfill their God-given purpose.

Born in Manhattan, New York, on December 2, 1967, Rev. Leath entered the United States Navy through the Delayed Entry Program in 1984 and went on to serve more than 23 years before retiring in 2008. His distinguished military career included assignments throughout the United States and abroad, as well as service aboard multiple U.S. Navy ships. His assignments took him to commands in Florida, California, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Washington, D.C., Cuba, and South Korea. During his military career, he traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting ports and countries across Europe, Asia, Central and South America. His military service helped shape a leadership philosophy centered on service, accountability, preparation, integrity, and care for people.

Rev. Leath accepted Christ and was baptized as a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. While later stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, he answered the call to preach the Gospel and delivered his trial sermon from Exodus 14, entitled “In a Tight Spot.” What began as a call to preach developed into a ministry journey that has afforded him the opportunity to serve the Church both in the United States and abroad.

His ministry experience has included service as English Minister at Moo-Chang Korean Presbyterian Church in South Korea, Associate Minister at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and, in 2013, Pastor of the historic Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He later founded and pastored New Beginnings International Ministries in Naples, Italy, served as an Associate Minister at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida, and served as Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Lynn Haven, Florida. Rev. Leath also served as Interim Pastor of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church in Port St. Joe, Florida, where he was subsequently called to serve as Pastor but respectfully declined the call due to professional obligations.

Rev. Leath is committed to lifelong learning and preparation for ministry. He is a graduate of Gainesville High School and earned both an Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Liberty University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Continuing his commitment to theological education and ministerial development, Rev. Leath is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree at Andersonville Theological Seminary.

His commitment to servant leadership extends beyond the pulpit. Over the years, Rev. Leath has served in religious, civic, community, and fraternal leadership capacities, including service with Fellowship Churches Inc., as a board member of the Santa Rosa Alliance for Emergency Readiness (S.A.F.E.R.), and as an Executive Board member of the local chapter of the NAACP in Milton, Florida.

Rev. Leath is also active in Prince Hall Freemasonry and has served in numerous leadership capacities throughout the fraternity. In 2017, he was elevated to the 33° as a Grand Inspector General. His fraternal service reflects the same commitment to leadership, mentorship, brotherhood, service, and community engagement that has characterized his military and ministerial journey.

Rev. and Dr. Kimberly M. Leath have been happily married for 16 years and share a commitment to faith, family, ministry, and service. Rev. Leath is the proud father of two daughters, Kaela and Katesha, and grandfather to Casper, Tatiana, Aliyah, Jeremiah, and Kai.

At the heart of Rev. Leath's ministry is a conviction that the Church must do more than gather—it must reach people where they are, faithfully teach the Word of God, develop disciples, strengthen families, serve communities, and prepare the next generation to carry the Gospel forward.

Through New Beginnings International Ministries Church, Rev. Leath continues to pursue a vision of ministry that reaches beyond buildings, borders, and geographical limitations, creating opportunities for people to encounter Christ, grow in faith, discover purpose, and become part of a community of believers.

Because no matter where a person has been or what chapter of life they may be facing, Rev. Leath believes that with God, there is always an opportunity for a New Beginning.

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Rev. Leon C. Leath is the Founder and Senior Pastor of New Beginnings International Ministries Church, a virtual, Christ-centered ministry based in Panama City, Florida, committed to reaching beyond walls and geographical boundaries with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His ministry is rooted in biblical preaching, discipleship, servant leadership, strengthening families, and helping believers discover and fulfill their God-given purpose.

Born in Manhattan, New York, on December 2, 1967, Rev. Leath entered the United States Navy through the Delayed Entry Program in 1984 and went on to serve more than 23 years before retiring in 2008. His distinguished military career included assignments throughout the United States and abroad, as well as service aboard multiple U.S. Navy ships. His assignments took him to commands in Florida, California, South Carolina, Virginia, Mississippi, Washington, D.C., Cuba, and South Korea. During his military career, he traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting ports and countries across Europe, Asia, Central and South America. His military service helped shape a leadership philosophy centered on service, accountability, preparation, integrity, and care for people.

Rev. Leath accepted Christ and was baptized as a member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. While later stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, he answered the call to preach the Gospel and delivered his trial sermon from Exodus 14, entitled “In a Tight Spot.” What began as a call to preach developed into a ministry journey that has afforded him the opportunity to serve the Church both in the United States and abroad.

His ministry experience has included service as English Minister at Moo-Chang Korean Presbyterian Church in South Korea, Associate Minister at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, and, in 2013, Pastor of the historic Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He later founded and pastored New Beginnings International Ministries in Naples, Italy, served as an Associate Minister at St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida, and served as Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Lynn Haven, Florida. Rev. Leath also served as Interim Pastor of Zion Fair Missionary Baptist Church in Port St. Joe, Florida, where he was subsequently called to serve as Pastor but respectfully declined the call due to professional obligations.

Rev. Leath is committed to lifelong learning and preparation for ministry. He is a graduate of Gainesville High School and earned both an Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree from Troy University. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Liberty University, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Continuing his commitment to theological education and ministerial development, Rev. Leath is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree at Andersonville Theological Seminary.

His commitment to servant leadership extends beyond the pulpit. Over the years, Rev. Leath has served in religious, civic, community, and fraternal leadership capacities, including service with Fellowship Churches Inc., as a board member of the Santa Rosa Alliance for Emergency Readiness (S.A.F.E.R.), and as an Executive Board member of the local chapter of the NAACP in Milton, Florida.

Rev. Leath is also active in Prince Hall Freemasonry and has served in numerous leadership capacities throughout the fraternity. In 2017, he was elevated to the 33° as a Grand Inspector General. His fraternal service reflects the same commitment to leadership, mentorship, brotherhood, service, and community engagement that has characterized his military and ministerial journey.

Rev. and Dr. Kimberly M. Leath have been happily married for 16 years and share a commitment to faith, family, ministry, and service. Rev. Leath is the proud father of two daughters, Kaela and Katesha, and grandfather to Casper, Tatiana, Aliyah, Jeremiah, and Kai.

At the heart of Rev. Leath's ministry is a conviction that the Church must do more than gather—it must reach people where they are, faithfully teach the Word of God, develop disciples, strengthen families, serve communities, and prepare the next generation to carry the Gospel forward.

Through New Beginnings International Ministries Church, Rev. Leath continues to pursue a vision of ministry that reaches beyond buildings, borders, and geographical limitations, creating opportunities for people to encounter Christ, grow in faith, discover purpose, and become part of a community of believers.

Because no matter where a person has been or what chapter of life they may be facing, Rev. Leath believes that with God, there is always an opportunity for a New Beginning.

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