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Baptist Pastors’ Council serves as clearinghouse
The organization, founded in 1927, is open to active and inactive ministers, male and female.
YOUNGSTOWN — The Rev. J. Dwayne Heard described the Baptist Pastors’ Council of Youngstown and Vicinity as the vehicle that “trains the trainer.” He’s in his third year of a four-year term as president.
Though the organization has sponsored various programs throughout its history, the Rev. Mr. Heard said only those attending a certain program may get the message. When the pastors present and share a common theme to their congregations, the 21 pastors who belong to the council reach up to 8,000 congregants. “The impact is greater that way on any given Sunday,” Mr. Heard said.
The council, which was founded in 1927, has witnessed civil rights history in the United States — from segregation to desegregation. The members have an affinity with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in that he was pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala,, and served as co-pastor from 1960 to his death in 1968 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where his father and grandfather served.
In part, the council’s mission statement focuses on “promoting fellowship, Christian education and Christian endeavors” in Youngstown and vicinity.
The council also believes that “through mutual understanding, study and exchange of ideas” people can correct and solve problems in churches and the community. The council also strives to “promote better understanding civilly, socially and spiritually.”
“I see the council as serving as a clearinghouse to exchange information and ideas on community issues,” Mr. Heard said.
The council meets monthly at Elizabeth Missionary Baptist Church, 1210 Himrod Ave., where Mr. Heard is a member. The council is open to active and inactive pastors, male and female.
Mr. Heard said the council promotes education through its partnership with Youngstown State University Foundation to award the Rev. Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King Scholarship. The council contributed $10,000 to the scholarship, which was matched by the foundation.
“The first one was granted this spring. The official start of the scholarship will be in the fall,” he said. Information on scholarships is available at YSU’s diversity office.
The council also plays a major role in the sponsorship of the American Baptist College extension unit.
“The Baptist college has long-standing history here,” Mr. Heard said, noting it began in the 1950s. The college offers certificate and diploma programs. Mr. Heard said that there is discussion and movement toward offering a four-year degree.
The council also participates in the Community Mobilization Committee. “It’s all about disseminating information to the community and congregants,” Mr. Heard said. “Whatever issue comes up, we address it.”
The Baptist Pastors’ Council sponsored a public observance Friday at Mahoning County Courthouse to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. King and his life and legacy.
“We want to continue the dream,” he said, “and we want to assess where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re going.”