Black Spiritual Leaders
Influential Black Spiritual Leaders
People around the world look to pastors, preachers, bishops and reverends for spiritual guidance and inspirational nourishment. In the black community, popular clergymen such as Bishop T.D. Jakes, Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Rev. Al Sharpton are held in high esteem and have much influence over congregations and countless followers alike. Take a look at them and other influential black spiritual leaders.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potter's House
AGE: 51 HOMETOWN: South Charleston, West Virginia ABOUT HIM: The entrepreneur and chief pastor of the The Potter's House, a 30,000 member non-denominational megachurch church in Dallas. FACTOID: Jakes, who was named among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders" by 'Time' magazine, has recorded Grammy- and Dove Award-nominated music projects. He also produced the movies 'Woman Thou Art Loosed' and 'Not Easily Broken.'
Black Spiritual Leaders
Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Trinity United Church of Christ
AGE: 67 HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ABOUT HIM: For 36 years, Wright was the Senior Pastor of the Chicago megachurch -- which boasted around 8,500 members. Controversial remarks made during his sermon shed negative light on the popular church, and one of its most well known parishioners: Illinois Senator and U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. FACTOID: Named one of 'Ebony' magazine's top 15 preachers, Wright has received a Rockefeller Fellowship and seven honorary doctorate degrees, including from Colgate University, Lincoln University, Valparaiso University, United Theological Seminary and Chicago Theological Seminary.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Juanita Bynum, televangelist
AGE: 49 HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois ABOUT HER: A former beautician, flight attendant and drug abuser, Bynum transformed herself into one of the most popular celebrity clergywomen after being introduced to the masses by Bishop T.D. Jakes. With a highly rated TBN show and a thriving television ministry, she gained national attention in 2007 when her estranged husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks, III, allegedly attacked her in a hotel parking lot. FACTOID: Bynum, a best-selling recording artist and author, has crossed over into entertainment. In 2008, she starred on episodes of the hit ABC Family network TV series 'Lincoln Heights' and will also appear in the big movie adaptation of the off-Broadway musical 'Mama I Want To Sing,' alongside Ciara, Lynn Whitfield and Patti LaBelle.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Bishop Eddie L. Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist
HOMETOWN: North Carolina ABOUT HIM: He first served as pastor in 1987 for a congregation consisting of just more than 300 members. Now the Lithonia, Georgia-based megachurch's membership has totaled to over 30,000 members. FACTOID: Long has authored numerous books, including 'What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs' and 'The Blessing in Giving.' The bishop is also featured on rapper Ludacris' latest album, 'Release Therapy,' and appeared on the hit Bravo reality show, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.'
Black Spiritual Leaders
Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network
AGE: 54 HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, New York ABOUT HIM: Mostly recognized as a staunch civil rights activist for people of color, the former James Brown tour manager is the founder the National Action Network, a nonprofit, civil rights organization with over 40 active chapters nationwide. FACTOID: A 2004 U.S. Presidential candidate, the divorced father of two daughters has written a memoir (with Karen Hunter) hosted his own TV show (on TV One) and nationally syndicated radio program.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Bishop Noel Jones, City of Refuge Church
AGE: 57 HOMETOWN: Spanish Town, Jamaica ABOUT HIM: In 1994, Bishop Jones founded Noel Jones Ministries (NJM), formerly known as Jesus Alternative Ministries, in an effort to address religion's inability to offer real relevance to the changing climate of the times. His Gardenia, California-based church boasts 7,000 members. FACTOID: One of seven children born to Bishop Robert and Marjorie Jones, Bishop Jones attended St. Jago High School and went on to attain a B.S. in Theology from Aenon Bible College. He is the younger brother of entertainer Grace Jones.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Jamal Harrison Bryant, The Empowerment Temple
ABOUT HIM: Bryant founded Baltimore's Empowerment Temple in April 2000, which became the fastest growing church in the A.M.E. denomination with over 11,000 members. Prior to his role as pastor, he served as director of the NAACP's youth and college division. FACTOID: Despite dropping out of high school, Bryant later obtained a GED and went on to further his education, receiving a degree from Morehouse College, a masters of divinity from Duke University and doctorate in ministry. Today, his 'Power for Life' broadcast is heard weekly across the United States, the Caribbean, England and throughout the continent of Africa.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Pastor Cynthia Hale, Ray of Hope Christian Church
HOMETOWN: Roanoke, Virginia ABOUT HER: Hale is the founding and senior pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, which has an active membership of 5,000 and an average of 1,500 in worship each Sunday morning. FACTOID: In 2004, Hale established a mentorship program to assist in the spiritual as well as practical development of pastors and church leaders. She has been recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the greatest black women preachers in America.
Black Spiritual Leaders
Bishop Larry Trotter, Sweet Holy Spirit Church
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois ABOUT HIM: Since 1981, Trotter has expanded his congregation at The Windy City's Sweet Holy Spirit Church from 22 members to over 5,000. FACTOID: In addition to his preaching ministry, Trotter is also an accomplished musician who was nominated for a Stellar Award in 2003 for his rendition of 'Jesus is the Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me.'
Black Spiritual Leaders
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Comments: (19)
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By: djkut on 2/17/2011 4:39PM
Sharpton is on point about this topic all hard working Americans are getting stiff because of Wallstreet and Corp. Greedy tactics they are strong arming Americans and leaving us out to dry.
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By: Ed Watson on 2/17/2011 5:35PM
Not only is Sharpton right, but let's take it even further. The powers that be are really trying to break the unions. It's the same thing that was done during the Reagan years. The poor and middle class have to pay for the profits of the rich.
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By: John Moton on 2/21/2011 5:10PM
You are absolutely right.
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By: vdog on 2/22/2011 11:01PM
It would all stop if these WORKING CLASS FOLKS would STOP VOTING for the RICH MAN'S GOP CANDIDATES!!! Been going on since REAGAN.
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By: ckeys on 2/17/2011 7:15PM
Rev. Sharpton is correct. This matter is more than what meets the eye. Before the Bush error expired. Federal Bank of Reserve along with Walden created a F.I.A.N.E. It represents closing all loops holes for any one to become wealthy. The poor will remain poor and the rich will endure.
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By: hilroy on 2/17/2011 8:16PM
Absolutely, he is right on target. Everyone except the poor person on the street is blaming Prez Obama. The republicans and their rich friends on wall street are the criminals. Then to make matters worse, bloaded Rush Limbaugh wants the Prez to fail while the rich hold on to their money instead of hiring people. They are all going to hell and not soon enough. We are still waiting for the trial of all those financial wall street criminals
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By: gary on 2/19/2011 1:44AM
Republicans and their rich friends. Let's see--Pelosi, Rangel, Kennedy, Kerry, Reid, Gore, Clinton and the list goes on of Dems and their rich friends. Notice that the last several financial improprieties were of the Democratic persuasion--Rangel, Jefferson, Waters...and it was Blago who was selling off Obama's seat. Don't be so quick to blame one party when politicians, by their very nature, seem to be corrupted by power.
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By: James Weeks on 2/17/2011 9:12PM
Sharpton is correct. We the people need to seek that salaries,expenses and etc should be shifted to congress,senate, supreme court judges.If we are going to balance the budget make top to bottom.
or
be sensible and cut defense, bring the soldiers back home to america and start all over again.
JW
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By: Greg on 2/18/2011 6:44AM
Al Sharpton isn't saying anything that hasn't already been said, nor anything that isn't already well know! Any, "bug wit" that watches the news, or reads the newspapers knows that fact! There was a conference in Washington DC just last week about the same topic, and also President Obama was on top of that issue as well! So, perhaps that where Sharpton got his information. Here he is " a day late, and as usual a dollar short"...just like most black leaders are, and continue to be! Anything to make a headline, huh Al?
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By: Barbara on 2/18/2011 10:29PM
Greg(bug)its good that Mr.Sharpton and all our Black Leaders are perceiving what all the other people are seeing that means that we are all on the same sheet of music.So since he's in the limelight its his duty to make sure that all the public knows this.Take your two cents and stick it some where else.
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