Reverend Raphael Warnock is a key American religious leader and politician. He is the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and the junior United States Senator from Georgia.
Rev. Raphael Warnock is known for fighting for social change and advocating for several issues, including affordable healthcare and voting rights. In 2021, he became the first black Senator to represent Georgia.
His roles in religion and politics have made Raphael Warnock a prominent voice but have also built him great wealth. As of 2024, Rev Warnock’s net worth is estimated to range between $800,000 and $1.3 million.
Rev Warnock quick facts
| Full name | Raphael Gamaliel Warnock |
| Date of birth | July 23, 1969 |
| Place of birth | Savannah, Georgia |
| Education | Morehouse College, Union Theological Seminary |
| Net worth | $800,000 – $1.3 million as of 2024 |
| Current position | U.S. Senator, Lead Pastor at Ebenezer Baptist |
| Political affiliation | Democratic Party |
| Known for | Advocacy for social justice, Medicaid expansion |
| Family | Ex-wife: Oulèye Ndoye, 2 children |
Early life and education
Reverend Raphael Gamaliel Warnock was born on July 23, 1969, in Savannah, Georgia. The 55-year-old pastor was the eleventh of twelve children of Pentecostal pastors Verlene Warnock and Jonathan Warnock.
Warnock’s father was a World War II veteran who owned a small car restoration business. His mother was a dedicated wife who supported the family by working in Georgia’s agriculture before becoming a pastor. This modest upbringing helped shape Rev. Warnock’s commitment to community service and social justice.
Rev. Raphael Warnock was determined to follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. He attended Sol C. Johnson High School and graduated in 1987. Warnock then enrolled at Morehouse College to study psychology, graduating cum laude in 1991.
Warnock’s college was supported by the Upward Bound program, which prepared him academically by allowing him to take early courses through Savannah State University. He then enrolled at the Union Theological Seminary, an affiliate of Columbia University, to pursue theological studies.
Warnock left the seminary with Master of Divinity, Master of Philosophy, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. This extensive educational foundation grounded Rev. Raphael Warnock in both the faith and intellectual aspects of his career.
Career and rise to prominence
Reverend Raphael Warnock’s career as a pastor and politician has been greatly intertwined. These dual roles support his lifelong commitment to community service and social justice. His impact spans various historical faith establishments to his position as a junior senator from Georgia.
Here is a brief breakdown of Rev. Warnock’s career.
Pastoral career
Warnock began his ministry as a pastor at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York. In 2001, he moved to Douglas Memorial Community Church in Baltimore, where he served as senior pastor until 2005. In 2005, he was appointed senior pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, the historical church where Martin Luther King Jr. preached.
At Ebenezer Baptist, Warnock addresses critical issues affecting underserved communities, including healthcare access, voter suppression, and economic justice. Under his leadership, Ebenezer Baptist expanded to include outreach programs, partnerships with relevant organizations, and educational initiatives. This amplified his voice as a community advocate and spokesperson for social justice.
Political rise and Senate career
Warnock has been involved in political affairs throughout his career. His notable involvement was advocating for Medicaid expansion in Georgia under the Affordable Care Act, which made him one of the loudest voices fighting for health and economic justice.
He announced his candidacy for Georgia Senator in 2020, challenging the incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler in a special election. After neither failed to attain a majority in the November 2020 elections, a run-off election was conducted on January 5, 2021. Warnock won with over 93,000 votes, becoming the first Black Senator from Georgia and changing the majority control of the United States Senate with his fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff.
In the United States Congress, Senator Raphael Warnock focuses on affordable healthcare, voting rights, and economic justice. He uses this platform to continue his lifelong fight against social and racial injustice. He was re-elected during the 2022 general election, securing a full six-year term as a senator.
Financial profile: Net worth, Senate salary, and parsonage allowance
As of 2024, Rev. Raphael Warnock’s net worth ranges between $800,000 and $1.3 million. His net worth is shaped by his salary as a United States Senator, estimated at $174,000 annually, which is the standard annual income for most members of the U.S. Congress.
In addition to his earnings as a Senator, Rev. Warnock receives an annual parsonage allowance as the leading pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. While this allowance varies each year, it reportedly goes up to $90,000. His modest net worth of approximately $800,000 places Warnock at a modest but stable financial stance compared to other community leaders and politicians.
His dual income structure has been scrutinized in the past, with questions surrounding whether he should receive a parsonage allowance while receiving his Congres salary. After a review by the Senate Ethics Committee, it was ruled that he could continue receiving his allowances as a pastor.
Personal life and values
Rev. Warnock’s personal life is deeply rooted in his faith and commitment to social equity. He grew up in a family with parents who were both Pentecostal pastors and devout community servants. His upbringing in a public housing program and the poverty he grew up in helped him build a sense and commitment to community upliftment.
