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November 8, 2025 | 8:30 am - 1:30 pm | The Riverside Church of New York 490 Riverside DriveNew York, NY 10027
To Register, go to:
https://www.abcmny.org/annual-meeting
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1)
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot hide. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put in on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
THE 234th ABCMNY ANNUAL MEETING
234th Annual Meeting of the American Baptist Churches of Metropolitan New York: its predecessor organizations, and the Annual Business Meetings of the Baptist Fresh Air Home Society and the Metropolitan Baptist Camps will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025.At the 234th Annual Meeting, Delegates will tend to the business of the Region, and together with visitors and friends engage in worship, The Word, celebration, mission engagement sharing, theological reflection, discussion, community engagement and fellowship. Our 2025 theme, Be The Light: Moral Courage Under Fire, is drawn from Christian core beliefs and practices. It is inspired by the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the Epistles, and informed by our metropolitan, national, and global contexts to be persons bearing the light of Christ and persons of moral courage in faithful response to the call of God in the world around us. . This theme, has shaped our mission this year, and will continue to inspire the worshipful work of our 234th ABCMNY Annual Meeting. Your presence makes a difference. Please come!
FEATURED SPEAKERS
The Reverend Dr. Bernadette Glover is a God-directed pastor and dynamic preacher, deeply committed to Jesus Christ. A native of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, gave her life to the Lord at an early age, and was called to ministry before her 17th Birthday. She is the Senior Pastor of the St. Paul Baptist Church, Montclair, New Jersey. Dr. Glover joined St. Paul in 2013 as Interim Pastor and was installed in 2016 as the Senior Pastor . Prior to St. Paul, she served as the Executive Pastor at Cathedral International (The Historic Second Baptist Church) in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., is the Senior Pastor. As well, she has served as Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Dr. Glover has a strong commitment to education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern University, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary (formerly Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary), and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, where she studied as a Jeremiah Wright, Molefi Asante, Cornel West Fellow. Dr. Glover was also granted an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Eastern University. A distinguishing feature of her life and work is Dr Glover’s deep commitment to Christ combined with boldness in proclaiming God’s Word. Prior to assuming the role of Senior Pastor of St Paul Baptist Church, Dr Glover was Associate Professor of Preaching and Worship at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary. As an educator, she was recognized for her keen ability to guide her students into seeking for deeper understanding of spiritual truths and their Call to ministry. She also served as Executive Pastor at The Cathedral International Church, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr is the Senior Pastor. A special area that God has gifted Pastor Glover in is connecting with persons in sensitive and fragile periods of life. She demonstrates genuine love for those whom she leads, serves and mentors, from infants to seasoned saints. Dr. Glover is the author of the book Whispers Overheard, which has been adapted into a play, and the writer of published music entitled Grateful Praise. As a third-generation minister, Dr. Glover loves ministry and is committed to the transforming power of the Gospel. She is a gifted, discerning interpreter of church and social issues. She has immobilized her faith community as she champions justice for all as evidenced in “Operation Just Hope” and “Village Talk.” She is passionate about ministry. One of her mottos is, “I am in the business of putting myself out of business.”
The Reverend David Keith Brawley is the 7th Pastor of the 3000 member St. Paul Community Baptist Church located in the East New York section of Brooklyn and serves as Chairman of the East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC) and Metro-IAF, affiliates of the internationally recognized organizing entity Industrial Areas Foundation.Brawey is also the Founder of the award-winning Imagine Me Leadership Charter School (IMLCS), the first all-boys charter school in the East New York section of Brooklyn, which educates minority boys grades K-6. Preaching since the age of sixteen, Rev. Brawley began his full-time career in ministry in 1994 at St. Paul, where he served as Assistant Pastor from 1995-2007.As Lead Pastor of St. Paul, Rev. Brawley has led the charge in several lifetransforming initiatives that have impacted thousands of New Yorkers. Notably, his work with Metro-IAF has yielded the construction of over 3000 affordable homes and a $73 million-dollar educational campus in the borough of Brooklyn. The formation of the B-20 Leadership Scholarship Fund has distributed over $100K to graduating high school seniors in Brooklyn and the creation of the ministry’s summer reading enrichment program for children grades K-8, which has produced improved reading and comprehension test scores for 90% of annual participants.Pastor Brawley resides in Brooklyn, New York
Rev. Patrick Reyes, Ph.D. is the Executive Vice President, Auburn Theological Seminary. A Chicano writer, theologian, and executive leader. Patrick B. Reyes, Ph.D., Auburn Theological Seminary’s is the Executive Vice President and Dean, and the bestselling and award-winning author of The Purpose Gap and Nobody Cries When We Die. Prior to joining Auburn, he worked in administration in higher education and the faith-based non-profit sector. Rev Reyes provides leadership on several boards in theological and higher education, publications, and the nonprofit sector, supporting the next generation of spiritual and cultural leaders. He is a current board director for the American Academy of Religion and serves as the Co-Dean of the Freedom Seminary for the Children’s Defense Fund. He is a past board president of the Religious Education Association. In the last decade, he has been recognized for his service and scholarship by Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Boston University, Drew University, Duke Leadership, Children’s Defense Fund, Hispanic Theological Initiative, Hispanic Youth Leadership Academy, and Raices Latinas, among others. His publications can be found in peer-reviewed journals, popular platforms, and contributed to several anthologies. He has offered endowed lectureships and public keynotes across North America. Dr. Reyes was recently inducted into the Morehouse College MLK Jr. Collegium of Scholars. The Council of Independent Colleges, NetVUE, selected The Purpose Gap as the Big Read for 2022-2023. Because of the NetVUE selection, several institutions in higher education are becoming “purpose gap” institutions. Patrick holds a Ph.D. and Master’s from Claremont School of Theology, an M.Div. from Boston University School of Theology, and is a proud graduate of California State University, Sacramento. He also holds certificates from IDEO, Harvard Business School, Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy, Institute for the Future, and the Center for Creative Leadership, where he was a scholarship recipient for their executive certificate leadership program. He was ordained at Park Avenue Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA.
Minister Sadiqa Delaney is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and currently serves as the Minister of Marketing and Communication at the historic Berean Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Arlee Akofa and Reverend Trevor Hyde, Jr.Minister Delaney previously served as Program Director for the Berean Community Drumline at the Berean Community and Family Life Center, where she also oversaw a number of youth initiatives offered through the organization. Her deep commitment to youth ministry led to her call to ministry in 2014 while serving as a Youth Leader at her home church.She is a graduate of Virginia State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and Boston University School of Theology, where she received a Master of Divinity degree in Theological Studies with a concentration in Pastoral Ministry. Since its inception in 2015, Minister Delaney has served as the Coordinator of the Women Who Minister Conference, dedicating her time and leadership to the spiritual growth and fellowship of women in ministry. Her greatest passion lies in guiding and mentoring young people as they seek to navigate life faithfully while maintaining integrity, purpose, and a Christ-centered focus.Minister Delaney also serves on the American Baptist Women’s Ministries Young Adult Women’s Ministry Advisory Team, where she continues to fulfill her calling to empower and support young women across the region.
Rev. Dr. Dexter A. Honora, a Board-certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains, works in medical environments to enhance the quality of patient care. As a chaplain, Dr. Honora provides advocacy, spiritual and emotional support, culturally sensitive counseling, and pastoral care to patients. An ordained American Baptist minister, Rev. Honora was licensed at Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Brooklyn and ordained at First Baptist Church, Bronxville, NY, where he serves as an Associate Pastor to Senior Pastor, Rev. Lamont S. Granby. Rev. Honora has utilized his experience as a Chaplain to develop pastoral care for lay ministers in his home church. Dr. Honora is a former police officer and detective for the NYPD, Dr. Honora has earned multiple degrees, including a BA and a MA in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY; a MS in Patient Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, and MDiv and DMin degrees from New York Theological Seminary. Dr. Honora is also a True Colors Certified Facilitator, a personality identification system that focuses on valuing differences and creating unity.Rev. Dr. Honora is a recipient of numerous honors, including:
Dr. Honora wants to be a conduit where God’s love can travel through to touch and meet the spiritual and emotional needs of people. The essence of Reverend Honora’s passion is best exemplified in his favorite scripture, Philippians 2:3-5: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interest of the others. 5 In your relationship with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
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