Reverend Steven Anthony Cousin, Jr. is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. When Reverend Cousin was seven years old, he moved to Bristol, Pennsylvania. Growing up in Bristol, Reverend Cousin graduated from Harry S. Truman High School in 2001. Reverend Cousin matriculated at the University of Connecticut, located in Storrs, Connecticut, where he earned his BA in Political Science in 2006. He received his Master of Divinity at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, located in Evanston, Illinois, in 2009. 

Reverend Cousin received his first pastoral appointment to Mount Zion African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Bridgeton, New Jersey in 2011. Rev. Cousin received his second pastoral
appointment to Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Haven, Connecticut in 2013.
He has been serving Bethel faithfully for over 10 years.

Under Reverend Cousin’s leadership, Bethel has done extensive work in the Greater New Haven
community. Bethel became the first church in New Haven to operate a warming center for the
homeless population during the winters of 2014, 2015, and 2016. Other New Haven organizations have used Bethel’s model as a blueprint to create warming centers that are in effect today. Bethel Church has purchased a twenty-passenger bus and provides transportation to the elderly who reside in senior housing. In partnership with the New Haven Police Department, Bethel is the host site for monthly meetings of the “Families of Homicide Victims” support group. The group is composed of individuals who have lost loved ones to senseless gun violence. In partnership with Yale New Haven Hospital, Bethel was the first church to host a Covid-19 vaccination clinic. Two new ministries were formed: Men Prayer Tent Ministry and Women’s Weekly Noon Day Bible Study. One of Reverend Cousin’s greatest accomplishments as a pastor was retiring the 30-year-old mortgage on Bethel’s property known as the Community Outreach Center. 

Reverend Cousin has served on many boards and commissions. Most notably, Reverend Cousin
was appointed to serve on the New Haven Fire Department Board of Commissioners and was
afforded the opportunity to serve as the Chairman for the board. Reverend Cousin served on the
City of New Haven Police and Fire Departments Pension Fund, a fund that was valued at 540
million dollars. Currently, Reverend Cousin serves on the State of Connecticut Anti-Defamation
League Board, the Greater New Haven Community Action Board, and the New Haven Early
Childhood Council.

Reverend Cousin is an avid sports fan. He was the triple jump 2001 Indoor and Outdoor
Pennsylvania State Champion in track and field. He received a track scholarship to the University
of Connecticut, where he won three Big East Conference Championships. In October of 2023, he
was inducted into the Bristol Township Athletic Hall of Fame. Now you can find Reverend Cousin
at the bowling alley competing for league championships and accolades.

Reverend Cousin is the proud son of Reverend Steven Anthony Cousin, Sr. and Sybil Belinda
Henderson. In addition, Reverend Cousin has five siblings: four brothers and one sister.
Reverend Cousin is married to Dr. Christina Dickerson Cousin and has two sons, Steven Anthony
Cousin, III and Samuel Philip Allen Cousin.