Senior Pastor

202.537.7515
rhylton@nationalpres.org

Dr. Raymond I. Hylton, Sr. came to NPC in June 2023 after serving as the senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, Illinois, his call since 2009. Previously, he served churches in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and New Castle, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Hylton has a dynamic and energetic style and has a compelling presence in the pulpit. Since joining NPC, he has demonstrated strong spiritual maturity and a passion for discipleship and mission, and most importantly a strong faith and love for Jesus Christ.

His service in a university town—Evanston is the home of Northwestern University—has given him extensive experience partnering for engagement with students and young adults. His strategies for deepening and connecting pathways of discipleship and for leading a multi-generational church are exciting to the NPC community. In his own words, “My greatest joy is inviting people into God’s kingdom and helping people to discover God’s unique plan for their lives.”

Dr. Hylton is a devoted family man, happily married to his childhood sweetheart, whom he met in their native Jamaica. Judith is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and a former educator, having taught high school biology, chemistry, and physics for ten years. Judith is the author of the book The Faith of the Pastor’s Wife: Surviving in Ministry Yet Remaining in Love with God and His People. She and Ray together are the authors of a book on Christian marriage, Five Disciplines of a Growing Marriage: Falling in Love Again. They are the grateful parents of three adult children: Judene, Ray Jr., and Joel.