Women's History Month: Rev. Debra Federico

Throughout March, the Cleveland Baptist Association is celebrating the women pastors faithfully serving our churches and communities.

Reverend Debra Federico

Pastor, First Baptist Church of Bedford, Ohio

Before answering the call to ministry, Rev. Federico enjoyed a long career in Special Education. She worked for the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a classroom teacher, as well as a Behavior Specialist. She holds a B.S.Ed. from Ohio University and a Master’s degree from Marymount College. Rev. Federico attended and received her Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary.

The Lord has given her a special love of missions, having led several short-term missions to Central America, as well as disaster response missions in the U.S. She has also served as a Rapid Response Chaplain for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

In 2016, Rev. Federico was called to be the Interim Pastor for the First Baptist Church of Bedford. In May 2017, she was ordained and installed as the church’s full-time pastor.

Rev. Federico met her husband, Tom, when they were both college students. They have been married for 46 years, raised three children, and have two grandsons.

She enjoys reading, walking her pugs, and browsing estate sales. Her greatest joy is being a grandma to her two little guys, Miles and Tommy.