Pastor
Pastor Bernard E. Tench Jr. has faithfully served as the shepherd of Second Baptist Church of Beaver Falls for more than 33 years, standing as a pillar of spiritual strength, biblical truth, and unwavering devotion to God. Known throughout the community as a Bible‑preaching, God‑fearing man of God, Pastor Tench has dedicated his life to lifting up the name of Jesus and guiding souls toward a deeper relationship with the Lord.
Born with a calling that became evident early in his life, Pastor Tench embraced ministry with humility, passion, and a heart for people. His preaching is rooted in Scripture, delivered with conviction, and marked by a genuine love for God’s Word. Over the decades, he has baptized generations, counseled families, comforted the grieving, and stood as a steady voice of hope in Beaver Falls and beyond.
At the center of his life and ministry is his beloved wife, Sabrina Tench, his partner in faith and service. Together, they have built a home grounded in love, prayer, and commitment to God’s purpose. Their family is a reflection of their devotion, blessed with three children: Erikka, Enjoli, and Bernard III, each carrying forward the values instilled in them by their parents.
Pastor Tench’s leadership is marked not only by longevity but by impact. For 33 years, he has preached with clarity, lived with integrity, and served with compassion. His congregation knows him as a pastor who loves deeply, prays earnestly, and stands firmly on the promises of God. His life is a testament to faithfulness—faithfulness to his calling, to his church, to his family, and above all, to the Lord he loves.
Rev. Bernard E. Tench Jr. has been walking with God for 29 years and has allowed God to use him in many capacities. He began his servitude at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Pittsburgh in 1983 where he faithfully served under Rev. Matthew Reeves, Sr., receiving his license to preach the gospel in 1985. He was then led to the White Lily Baptist Church, Pittsburgh where he served as Associate Minister under the guidance of Rev. Kelvin Brooks until April 1989 when he was called to Pastor at Second Baptist Church, Leechburg, PA.
After faithfully doing God's will in
Leechburg, Rev. Tench was called to his current church, Second Baptist Church, Beaver Fails, PA in October 1992.
Pastor Tench is a graduate of the Harty Bible School and the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. In 1988, he received his Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Theological Seminary and Bible Institute, Blytheville, AK.
Pastor Tench is a loving husband to his wife, Sabrina, father to Errika, Enjoli, and Bernard III; grandfather to (little) Sabrina, Matthew, Ella and the late Alethia, and a role model to his sons-in-law, Mark and Myron.
Pastor Tench has become a great friend to many of the surrounding churches and community leaders. He currently serves as the President of the Beaver County Minority Coalition, and executive board leader of SBC Ministries, Inc.
He is a member of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association, and is the Moderator of the Allegheny Union Baptist Association Beaver Area and a member of the African Folk History organization. Pastor Tench is the former president of the Pastor's Council and Union of Churches, as well as the Christians United of Beaver County. He also served as the chaplain of the Beaver County Jail.
Under the leadership of Pastor Tench, Second Baptist Church has flourished with added ministries, evangelism and outreach services such as the community outdoor tent celebration begun in 2003 known as Family and Friends Day. Many have accepted Christ and lives have been changed. After fire destroyed the church education center, the church, under the leadership of Pastor Tench, built a new Education Center for Sunday School, youth activities, community events and meetings, and has acquired a new building currently under construction for the church dining hall and community center. God has given Pastor Tench a vision, and through prayer and hard work, it will come to fruition. Pastor Tench believes that we should PUSH... Pray until something happens.
Pastor Tench is a humble, God-fearing man who not only preaches and teaches the gospel, but Daily lives it.