Black baptist preachers…The phrase puts me in the mind of a black three piece suit, vocal clarity, three point and a celebration sermon formations, a regal tone, and the inevitable taking to the cross whoop style.
Below you will find a list, not an exhaustive list, of Black American preachers that I know and appreciate. Perhaps I will revisit this and add. If you feel there is an obvious omission please shoot us an email!
Elder D. J. Ward, pastor of Lexington's Main Street Baptist Church for the past 19 years, died of complications from lung cancer Friday at Hospice Care Center at St. Joseph Hospital. What the Lexington Herald-Leader did not say about this amazing African-American is that he was a powerful spokesman for the glorious God worshiped through the wall-to-wall window called Calvinism. I thank God for the one conference we had together. He invited me to the Lexington Pastors’ Conference at his church. I had no idea there was such a self-consciously reformed gathering of mainly African-American pastors almost totally distinct, as far as I could tell, from the resurgence of younger black Reformed brothers present on the internet today. But there it was thriving from around the country under the uncompromising sway of this giant. Lord, thank you for over 40 years of Bible-saturated ministry with the majesty of Grace at the center. May the sowing of this seed in the ground bring forth a thousand sprouting lovers of the Truth.
Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. has traveled across the world preaching and teaching the masses about the love of Jesus Christ. Leading First Baptist since 1989, Pastor Jenkins remains steadfast in his quest to “develop dynamic disciples.” He is recognized as a catalyst to help individuals grow into lifelong Christian disciples who follow Jesus Christ. Pastor Jenkins believes that these individuals will impact the world on behalf of the Lord, thereby strengthening families and healing broken hearts along the way.
Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. He is a pastor, best-selling author and frequent speaker at Bible conferences and seminars throughout the nation. Dr. Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for over 40 years, witnessing its growth from ten people in 1976 to now over 10,000 congregants with 100 plus ministries. Dr. Evans is founder and president of The Urban Alternative, a Christian bible teaching and resource ministry. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Tony Evans, can be heard on over 1,400 radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries. The first African American to earn a doctorate of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, he has been named one of the 12 Most Effective Preachers in the English-Speaking World by Baylor University. He also holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and study Bible by an African American. The study Bible and Commentary went on to sell more than 225,000 in the first year. Dr. Evans has authored over 100 books, booklets and Bible studies including Kingdom Man, Oneness Embraced, The Kingdom Agenda, Kingdom Disciples, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare. He holds the honor of writing and publishing the first full-Bible commentary and study Bible by an African American. Dr. Evans served the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks as chaplain for over 30 years. He is also the former chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys. Through his local church and national ministry, Dr. Evans has set in motion a Kingdom Agenda philosophy of ministry that teaches God’s comprehensive rule over every area of life as demonstrated through the individual, family, church and society. Dr. Evans was married to Lois, his wife and ministry partner of over 50 years until Lois transitioned to glory in late 2019. They are the proud parents of four, grandparents of thirteen and great-grandparents of four.
Dhati Lewis is the Lead Pastor of Blueprint Church in Atlanta, Georgia and the President and Founder of MyBLVD. He was born and raised in California and later moved to Texas where he completed his undergraduate studies from the University of North Texas. He later earned his master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry in Great Commission Mobilization from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. During his time in Texas, he started a college ministry, served as a chaplain to UNTs football team, coached high-school football, became a college pastor, and eventually planted a church. In all these years of ministry, Dhati became increasingly burdened to see healthy disciple-making churches in the city. This burden grew until the Lord gave Dhati a clear vision to plant a church-planting church in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2009, Dhati, along with twenty-five others, moved to Atlanta with the goal to become the last generation of believers who have to leave the urban context in search of sound discipleship. Dhati is is most passionate about making disciples, equipping urban leaders, and loving his family. On any given day you might find Dhati changing a plan, coaching his kids in basketball, or strategizing on a whiteboard. Dhati has seven beautiful children and is married to Angie, a discerning woman who empowers and encourages him to live fully in his identity in Christ. He is the author of both the Bible Study and book, Among Wolves: Disciple Making in the City and Advocates: The Narrow Path to Racial Reconciliation.
Born the ninth child of the late Houston and Lena Anderson, in Eunice, Louisiana. Rev. Anderson became involved in the work of the church at a very early age. He was licensed and ordained in 1977 and attended Bishop College, Dallas, TX; Louisiana State University, Pineville, LA; Union Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA, and Houston Baptist University in Houston, TX. Pastor Terry Anderson served in concurrent pastoral roles at Greater True Light Baptist Church; Eunice, LA and Zion Travelers Baptist Church; Mamou, LA; 1983-1990 and serves as the Fourth Pastor of Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church from December 1990 to the present. Some of Pastor Anderson's accomplishments include being inducted into the Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College in April 2008; appointed to the Commission on Baptist Heritage and Identity - Baptist World Alliance in 2010 and to the Board of Directors of the Conference of National Black Churches in 2010. He currently is a Board Member of the National Action Network and a lifetime member of the NAACP. Pastor Anderson touches the hearts of thousands through his unique method of preaching and teaching God’s word. His hobbies are reading and playing golf. He is married to Amelia Sawyer Anderson, the father of one daughter, Victoria Patsy Anderson and grandfather of Sybil Noelle Demar.
Blessed to serve in the city in which he was born, Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates is Chicago through and through. Raised on the southside of Chicago, he came of age having welcomed Christ into his life early. Heavily influenced by the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, W.E.B. Dubois, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Mary Mcloud - Bethune, Dr. Charlie’s orientation and early formation were significantly bent toward the theological reflection of Black people. This shaped his approach to preaching and his thoughts about the transformative role the Black church plays in bringing about the flourishing of a people. Dr. Dates holds a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communication & Rhetoric from the University of Illinois - Champaign, Urbana, where he met his wife, Kirstie, who not only changed his life, but also elevated his approach to living. He continued his education with a Master of Divinity and a PhD in Historical Theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. In 2011, Reverend Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor to serve the historic Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago, which saw exponential growth under his leadership. As a highly sought-after speaker, he is widely invited to preach at churches and speak at retreats, conferences, and universities throughout the United States and abroad. Through his passion for learning, living, and teaching the Gospel, Dr. Charlie serves as an Affiliate Professor at Baylor University- George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and Wheaton College. He is a contributing author to Letters To A Birmingham Jail and Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition, and is currently working on his first single-authored book on Christianity and Social Justice. In January 2023, Reverend Dates became the Senior Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago. He is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates II & Claire Dates.
I am the Pastor-Teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida, where I have served since the fall of 2008. I am primarily responsible for preaching-teaching, vision casting, and leadership development – along with all the other tasks that go along with pastoral ministry. Prior to joining the Shiloh Church, I led the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles for almost eighteen years. Succeeding my late father, I began my pastorate at Mt. Sinai at the age of seventeen – a senior in high school. Outside of my ministry to and with my congregation, I regularly speak at churches, conferences, and conventions around the country. I am the author (or contributing author) of several books… It Happens After Prayer On Preaching On Pastoring The Difference Jesus Makes Power in the Pulpit Secret Sex Wars Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook 2016 I also write at this blog site about life, preaching, church, books, and other stuff. I publish new posts 2-3 times a week. I am also the host of The On Preaching Podcast – the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. I had the joy of writing and leading several songs on the Shiloh Choir CD: Joe Pace Presents: H.B. Charles Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir.
Thabiti Anyabwile is one of the pastors for ARC. He has served as an elder and pastor in churches in NC, DC and the Cayman Islands. After a few years as a practicing Muslim, Thabiti was converted under the preaching of the gospel in the Washington DC area. He and his wife, Kristie, have three children. Thabiti is the author of several books, including The Life of God in the Soul of the Church; The Gospel for Muslims; What Is a Healthy Church Member?; The Decline of African-American Theology; and The Faithful Preacher. He blogs regularly at The Front Porch and Pure Church.
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Dr. E. Dewey Smith is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of The House of Hope Atlanta, The House of Hope Macon, and The House of Hope WestPointe – one church in three locations – with a membership roll of more than 10,000. A proud native of Macon, GA, he has been a minister of the gospel for more than 30 years. He commenced his preaching ministry at age 17 and his pastoral ministry at 19. Smith is a learned man. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College, in Atlanta, GA; graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Science degree from Amridge University in Montgomery, AL; and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. He was inducted into the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Board of Preachers at Morehouse College as a “Distinguished Preacher.” Smith has always had a passion to redress those things that plague the community and burden the people he serves. Throughout his ministry he has been heavily involved in prison reform, re-entry programs, human services and community development. He opened The Haven House, a fully staffed, professional and licensed counseling center to address the emotional and mental health concerns of people in the community. In 2013, Dr. Smith launched The Tabitha’s House, a non-profit organization that provides housing, counseling and support to young girls rescued from human trafficking. Smith is also professionally involved in music, media, film and television production. He launched “The Hope TV Network” in 2020, and its programs have received over 300 million views and 22 prestigious Telly Awards. In October of 2021, Smith released his first solo project, “God Period,” under his record label, Pebble Street Records. “God Period” was named one of the top albums of 2021 by Billboard, and his first single, “Your Presence Is A Gift,” scored #1 on the Billboard Gospel Airplay Charts. He is a 2022 Stellar Award winning solo artist and two-time Dove Awards solo artist nominee. Additionally, Smith is the Founder/Overseer of the Ambassadors Assembly Network, a fellowship of hundreds of pastors and leaders from across the globe. Ambassadors Assembly is an ecumenical fellowship that provides ministry oversight, comprehensive ministry strategies and para-church support to churches and leaders throughout the world. Dr. Smith is married to the lovely, former Andrea Fambro, his best friend of over 30 years. They have been blessed with two sons: Kamari Elijah and Kylen Isaiah.
