Curtis Waltha Baldwin Jr. gave his life to the Lord in 1995 and began training to become a Deacon in 2006 at Bridgeport Christian Life Center under Bishop Marshall. The Lord then led him to the House of Deliverance under Apostle Crawley, where he served as Minister and Armor Bearer for five years. After five years of diligent service, the Lord ordered his steps to Upon This Rock ministry under Apostle Washington in New Haven, CT. Here, Baldwin was Ordained as an Elder and began to work closely with the Apostle in church and saving souls through street revivals. After a few years of faithful service, Apostle Washington told Baldwin that the Lord was calling him to become a Pastor. Soon after, the Lord began opening doors and blessed him with three free Y.M.C.A. locations in Bridgeport, CT., where he taught the Lord’s word through bible studies in preparation for his new mission. Pastor Baldwin was officially ordained as Pastor on June 24, 2017!

One night, while lying in bed, Baldwin’s wife anointed him with oil and prayed for the Lord to put the name of the church in her husband’s mouth. The following day, at 6 am, The Lord did just that and unctioned him to get up and write on a piece of paper, “Gateway to Heaven Ministries!”

Together with his U.T.R.M. family and newly found ministry, the people of God marched the streets of Bridgeport in the most troubled neighborhoods, praying over the land and calling for the people to come. Pastor Baldwin began to lead weekly services at each location, praying over those struggling with addiction and even visiting their homes to pray over their dwelling place.

After a few faithful months, the Lord was ready for a shift and caused each building location to begin renovations, leaving Pastor Baldwin with nowhere to hold his services. Instead of worrying, he took this situation to the Lord in prayer and was led to begin searching for a new location.

After visiting a few different locations, Pastor Baldwin came upon an abandoned space that was desolate and run down due to a previous fire. Where people saw no hope, God opened his eyes to see a gem. After committing to the rental space, Pastor Baldwin began building the Lord’s first house under Gateway to Heaven Ministries at 705 Hallett Street in Bridgeport, CT. God desired a new thing and allowed him to fully renovate an old space and create a new place for the Lord. With the help of a few devoted and skillful men, he renovated the entire area, building a pulpit, a bathroom, an office, and a sanctuary. When the hour came that everything was set in order, Pastor Baldwin led his first service on May 6, 2017.

Soon after, Gateway to Heaven Ministries birthed the Marriage Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Daughters of Destiny Ministry, Women in Labor Ministry, Men on the Front Line-Called to Duty Ministry, Singles Ministry, and the Make a Change Ministry which has fed hundreds of homeless men and women since 2017. In 2020, Gateway led an outreach event where they gave away free food and clothing to the community, feeding over 120 more men, women, and children. The ministry has faithfully sowed to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the 700 Club since its inception and continues to support the community today.

After a few years of faithful giving, it was time to increase again. Through the grace of God, Gateway to Heaven Ministries purchased its first building in October of 2021, located at 2355 East Main Street in Bridgeport, CT, their current place of worship. God again desired a new thing and gave Pastor Baldwin the ability to renovate an old space and create a new place with the help of a few faithful men. Together, they dedicated their time and skills for over a year to build everything you see here; knocking down walls, breaking up floors, putting up walls, installing floors, placing each brick by hand, painting, designing, and committing themselves to service to God to build his house all under the direction and guidance of Pastor Baldwin and his beautiful wife. Pastor Baldwin held his first service at this new location in December 2021.

Together with their U.T.R.M. family, Gateway held a grand opening community event in the summer of 2022, which included free food, fun, and fellowship. They also partnered with U.T.R.M. that same year to send barrels of food and clothing to Jamaica which helped families in need. Since then, Gateway has led several outreach events and street services that supported the community and provided free support.

Pastor Baldwin has been preaching and teaching the word of God, saving countless souls, marrying young couples, and advancing the Kingdom of God. By the direction of the Lord, he has built a team of Evangelists, Missionaries, Deacons, Armor Bearers, Prophets, Ministers, Elders, and Ushers.

God has implanted new ministries in Pastor Baldwin, and he is birthing the Children’s Brooklyn Star Daycare and the Youth ministry – L.O.Y.A.L. – T, to name a few.

He reaches the people of his community by letting every man, woman, boy, and girl know how to enter through the narrow gate. ​“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it (Matthew 7:13-14).”​ Pastor Baldwin’s mission and goal have always been and will continue to be, leading people to God -saving one family at a time.