Pastor Patricia A. Bufford is a dedicated spirit-led leader. She walks by faith and not by sight...2 Corinthians 5:7 she is a passionate advocate for the faith. As a resilient and innovative Woman of God, she focuses on Kingdom building through evangelism and serves as a prophetic voice for all generations. With a heart for nurturing and empowering others, Pastor Bufford cultivates faith in those around her, inspiring them to grow into strong effective impactful disciples of Christ. Committed to prayer and transformation, she embodies God's mandate by loving, serving, and proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

 

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Reverend Patricia A. Bu?ord, Pastor

Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

www.centennialamezchurch716,org

 

Reverend Bufford: A Committed Servant Leader

Reverend Bufford is a proud native of Buffalo, NY, where she was born and raised on the East Side and educated in the Buffalo Public School system. She is the middle child eldest daughter of the late Deacon John W. Sr. and the late Evangelist Rose B. Bufford, who were united in holy marriage for 64 years. She honors their legacy daily through her love and service to others. Reverend Bufford has four siblings, one of whom is deceased, and among them, two are ordained ministers. Reverend Bufford is a graduate of South Park High School and furthered her education at Erie Community College (City), Buffalo State University, and Alliance Theological Seminary. 

 

Prior Work History

Her work history started at a printing firm as a apprentice for (7 years) until transitioning into the human service field after college and working at the Community Action Organization(CAO) as a after school coordinator and lead tutor working with Bu?alo Public Schools. During this time she applied and pursed law enforcement in the NYS Department of Corrections. 

 

The Call

She received her call to ministry while serving as a New York State Correctional Officer working at the maximum secure women’s prison - Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, Bedford Hills, NY. She was a member of Saint Francis AME Zion Church in Mount Kisco, NY, part of The New York Conference - Westchester District. In 2002, she was granted a Local Preacher’s License, followed by her Deacon’s License in 2004. Finally she was ordained as an Elder in 2008 under the late Right Reverend Bishop George Battle, Jr.. Reverend Bufford served under the leadership of her spiritual father in ministry, Pastor Dr. Daren C. Jaime, as an Associate Minister at Saint Francis AME Zion Church in Mount Kisco, NY..

 

The Pursue

In 2009, she pursued theological studies at Alliance Theological Seminary formally in Nyack , NY now in Manhattan, NY, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Professional Studies (MPS), with a major in Christian Ministry and a minor in Church Development. Following her seminary education, she retired and returned home to Buffalo in 2011 to care for her parents while continuing to serve as an Associate Minister and Chief Ministerial Staff under Pastor Dr. Daren C. Jaime now at People's AME Zion Church in Syracuse, NY, where she remained in ministry for eight years until her appointment. Despite the profound loss of her father in 2014 and her mother in 2016, Reverend Bufford remained steadfast in her calling. She dedicated 15 years as an Associate Minister under Dr. Jaime, serving faithfully in the work of the Lord.

 

Professional Career in Corrections

Reverend Bufford retired with distinction after 22 years of service with the New York State Department of Corrections. She was not merely a Correctional Officer but a “Change Agent of Light in a Dark Place,” serving at the state’s only maximum-security facility for women. She held leadership roles as an Academy Training Instructor, a Team Leader for the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) an elite team trained in crisis management and negotiations and prior to that she was a member of the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT). Notably, she was the first African American Woman to attend and participate in the Albany Tactical CERT Team, both teams were specialized units activated during institutional disturbances and riots. Throughout her career, Officer Bufford received numerous awards and commendations for her exceptional leadership in maintaining a secure, structured, and rehabilitative environment within the facility. She earned the respect of both her peers and the incarcerated individuals she served, blending institutional regulations with practical compassionate principles to foster a positive atmosphere.

 

Pastoral Appointment & Ministry Leadership

On July 7, 2019, during the 170th Western New York Annual Conference, Reverend Bufford was appointed as the First Woman Pastor of Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, located at 127 Doat St.(125), Buffalo, NY 14211. She was appointed by the Right Reverend Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, Presiding Prelate of The Northeastern Episcopal District. She is serving in her hometown of Buffalo New York. *In the year of 2026 under Rev. Bufford’s leadership the church was approved on Feb 17, 2026 in the City of Buffalo, NY a ‘Local Landmark Historic Designation #167.

 

Accomplishments & Community Engagement

*Reverend Bufford has 1600 hours of Clinical Pastoral Education ACPE - Clinical Pastoral Education - One Unit CPEI - Pastoral Education International - Three Units * Total of Four Units of CPE. Rev Bufford has been actively involved in numerous leadership and community initiatives. She was a 2019 Fellowship Cohort participant for Emerging Leaders in Ministry, a program sponsored by the Lilly Foundation in collaboration with Harvard Business School, Harvard Divinity School, Syracuse University, and Le Moyne College. *From 2017 to 2019, she established and led a Jail Mentoring Ministry for women incarcerated at the Onondaga County Justice Center in Syracuse, NY, where she provided spiritual guidance and support monthly. She also contributed in the local Buffalo community by offering Scriptures & Craft classes for women at the Buffalo City Mission. *Rev. Bufford and three church board members participated in Partners for Sacred Places Cohort - New Dollars/New Partners. *Reverend Bufford is the Founder and President of Generation-NEX, Inc., a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth, and advocate prison prevention.This organization serves as a platform for the voiceless, providing resources and encouragement through a Christ-centered approach. She also develop a workshop  "Worship Without Worry" -  to train and equip "Places of Worship" how to secure their buildings against counter attacks. Rev. Bufford is also trained in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design - ( CPTED ) . 

 

Personal Interests & Speaking Engagements

Beyond her ministry, Reverend Bufford has a passion for photography and videography, with a particular admiration for church architectural designs. She is a motivational speaker and she brings a wealth of knowledge and wisdom gained from working with incarcerated women and she is passionate about prison prevention, mentoring youth and young adults. Reverend Bufford is available to speak her signature topic,The Road to Reaching Your Dreams, Goals, and Aspirations, to inspire individuals to pursue divine purpose. For inquiries or speaking engagements, Reverend Bufford can be reached at: revpabufford@gmail.com 646-552-0031

 

Leadership & A?liation

AMEZC Bu?alo District - Director of Evangelism NYSCOC - New York State Council of Churches ( Social Justice Chair ) NRC - Network of Religious Communities (former Vice President 24-26) Certificate of Completion ACPE - Clinical Pastoral Education - One Unit CPEI - Pastoral Education International - Three Units CPE - Certification Pending Alliance Theological Seminary (Alumni) Syracuse University - Cohort Fellowship of Emerging Leaders in Ministry (FELM) (Alumni) Member: NAACP (Bu?alo Branch) AMMA - African Methodist Ministers Alliance National Trust for Historic Preservation - Partners for Sacred Places Voices of Faith Community Gospel Choir (Alumni)

 

Scripture Reference: Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best e?ort, as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,” Colossians 3:23 AMP We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7