EBENEZER
BAPTIST CHURCH
PASTOR KIRK L. KNOCKETT, SENIOR PASTOR
Pastor Kirk Knockett was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland to the late George A. Knockett, Jr. and Margaret J. Knockett. Kirk attended schools in Baltimore, MD, and as a child he was a member of the New Shiloh Baptist Church. Upon his graduation in 1986 from Walbrook High School, Kirk enlisted in the United States Army, dedicating 20 years of service before retiring in 2006. During the fourth year of his military career, Kirk married “the bone of his bone and the flesh of his flesh” Mellanese “Neicy” Harrison. Together, they have three children, Devon, Rashawn (Daryne) and Kira, two granddaughters, Shania, A’voni and three grandsons, Jah’mere, Ky’ayare, and Truth.
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Kirk & Neicy traveled and lived in varies locations throughout the world. At the age of 37, in Darmstadt, Germany, Kirk gave his life to Christ on December 11, 2005 in the parking lot of the Darmstadt Army Health Clinic. After retiring from the military, the family moved to Spring Lake, North Carolina. Kirk and his family attended Holy Hill of Zion Ministries, under the leadership of Pastor Carla Page.​
In July 2007, God transitioned Kirk and his family to Edgewood, Maryland where Neicy became a teacher for the Harford County Public Schools and Kirk began working as a Paralegal Specialist for the U.S. Government. In 2008, the Knockett family became members of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Joppa, Maryland under the leadership of Pastor Edward White, Sr. Upon joining, Kirk joined the Usher Ministry and began teaching Sunday School. In 2009, Kirk became the Sunday School Superintendent and in 2010 he was ordained as a Deacon. As a Deacon, Kirk served as a Sunday School and Bible Study teacher, a member of the evangelist team and jail ministry. Deacon Knockett conducted Bible study for the Perryman Senior Home in Aberdeen, MD and the Sudbrook Nursing Home in Baltimore, MD. In 2013, Deacon Knockett answered the call to minister the Gospel and was licensed as a Minister by the late Pastor Edward White Sr. on April 12, 2013. On December 2, 2016, Minister Knockett was ordained as an Elder by the Baptist Ministers and Deacons Union of Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil Counties.
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On January 5, 2020, Elder Knockett was appointed as Assistant Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church under the leadership of Senior Pastor Jerry L. Parker. God finding favor in Assistant Pastor Knockett’s faithfulness and obedience in ministry, the Lord decided it was time for another elevation. On Sunday, June 1, 2025, Pastor Parker announced his retirement, giving way for Assistant Pastor Kirk L. Knockett to become the next Senior Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Installation Service for Pastor Knockett was held on Sunday, July 20, 2025 with his first sermon to the congregation on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
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Pastor Knockett volunteers his time and spiritual gifts as a Chaplin at the Upper Chesapeake Medical Centers of Bel Air and Aberdeen, Maryland. Pastor Knockett holds a a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Troy University and a Master of Arts degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University.