Elder Kenneth A. Duke serves as the senior pastor/teacher of the New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church located in Miami, Florida. He is a product of the historic Bishop College of Dallas, Texas. Currently, Pastor Duke is pursuing post-graduate studies at Virginia Theological Seminary.

Elder Duke was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Elder Dan H. and Mrs. Eunice Duke. He was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and, at the age of fourteen, he  was licensed to preach, by the Mt. Lebanon Primitive Baptist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana. Showing continuing faith to his calling, Minister Duke at age 16 was ordained in Franklin, Tennessee by the Lynn Creek Primitive Baptist Association. At age nineteen, Kenneth A. Duke was called to the pastorate at the Good Shepherd Primitive Baptist Church where he served 6 ½ years. In 1985, Elder Duke relocated to Miami, Florida to serve the New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church.

During his tenure as Pastor, Elder Duke has led the church to facilitate the opening and operation of the Abundant Life Christian Learning Center. The Center has two components; the Safe Haven Child Development Center opened in 2001, and serves children ages 2-5; the New Jerusalem Christian Academy which opened in 2003 and provides elementary education for children from kindergarten through grade 5. This major educational facility houses a full time staff and follows the ABeka Curriculum, to foster an academic and spiritual growth in the children of the community.

Elder Duke also, serves as president and chief executive officer of the New Jerusalem Community Development Corporation, a community based initiative which provides after-school care and a summer program for youth. This corporation also features a component that focuses on economic development opportunities for adults.

Pastor Duke is the Chairman of the Board of Miami’s gospel radio station WMBM 1490. He is the past Moderator of the East Florida District Primitive Baptist Association. Elder Duke is the former Vice President and the current 14th President of the National Primitive Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

Elder Duke has traditional roots, but he also a heart for the youth. These aspects allow him to successfully engage in multi-generational ministry touching the young as well as the old. He has always felt it was important to be an accessible leader; therefore, he has created a family atmosphere for every member of the church. Elder Duke is a loving Pastor whose preaching and teaching focuses on building the people of God to be the best that they can become according to God’s Purpose for their lives. His passionate words and heartfelt expressions of love are experienced by anyone who comes in contact with him.

Elder Duke is married to the lovely Julia Duke. They are the parents of three adult children: Kenneth D, Kelon, and Aheisha.