PASTOR DWIGHT MCKISSIC
CHAIR, BOARD OF CONVENERS
Pastor Dwight McKissic is a trusted leader, pastor, and Kingdom builder with a heart for strengthening the local church and advancing the mission of Christ.’ As Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, Pastor McKissic has led with vision and excellence, equipping believers to live out their faith and impact their communities.
A respected voice in the broader Baptist family, he brings wisdom, integrity, and a deep commitment to unity, collaboration, and the Gospel. Pastor McKissic is passionate about fostering fellowship among pastors and leaders and helping churches thrive in mission and ministry.
DR. DAVID E. GOATLEY
VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF CONVENERS
Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley was inaugurated as the sixth president of Fuller Seminary on January 21, 2023. Prior to his appointment, he served as the associate dean for academic and vocational formation, Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Research Professor of Theology and Christian Ministry, and director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School.
For nearly four decades, he has served in leadership roles in organizations dedicated to justice advocacy, Christian mission, and global ecumenism. He earned his BS in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Louisville and holds two degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: an MDiv with an emphasis in pastoral care and counseling, and a PhD in Theology.
DR. WARREN H. STEWART
VICE CHAIR, BOARD OF CONVENERS
Dr. Warren H. Stewart, Sr., is a native of Coffeyville, Kansas where he was reared in a Christian family and African American Church environment. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior at the age of 16 and preached his Trial Sermon at the age of 17.
He is married to the Reverend Dr. Karen E. (Curry) Stewart, and they are the parents of a blended family of five sons, Warren, Jr., Matthew, Jared, Justin, Aaron and two daughters, Jamila Imani and Jessica Elizabeth (Curry) Morris. He is the grandfather of Warren Josiah, III, Micaiah Lovel, Matthew Christian II, Jared Chamberlain II, Kaira Nechee, John Paul Silas, Jase Alexander, Joshua Elijah, Mia Noelai, Sanaya Elyse, Janelle Elizabeth, Lance Nasir and Jayla Arielle, and “adopted” Jonny Angel. He served as the Senior Pastor of the First Institutional Baptist Church of Phoenix, Arizona from July 1, 1977 until June 30, 2025—48 years.
Board of Conveners
Dr. Emory Berry
Senior Pastor
The Favor Church
Dr. Keith Byrd
Senior Pastor
Zion Baptist Church
Dr. Christopher Davis
Senior Pastor
St. Paul Baptist Church
Dr. Sonja Dawson
Senior Pastor
New Mt. Calvary Baptist Church
Pastor John Jenkins
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church Glenarden
Dr. Kerwin Lee
Senior Pastor
Berean Christian Church
Dr. Breonus Mitchell
Senior Pastor
Mt. Gilead Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. Charles Scott
Senior Pastor
St. Paul Baptist Church
Dr. TaNikka Sheppard
General Secretary
North American Baptist Fellowship
Dr. Samuel Tolbert
Senior Pastor
Greater St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. Dante Wright
Senior Pastor
Sweet Home Baptist Church
DR. KAREN E. STEWART
CHAIR, FRAMERS COUNCIL
Dr. Karen Elizabeth Stewart is a 2002 graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts Degree in Theological Studies. Her area of emphasis was in Non-Profit Management. She also received her Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Arizona State University in 1999 and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion from Ottawa University. In May of 2021, she received her Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Stewart was licensed to preach in August of 1988 and was ordained in the Gospel Ministry in January of 2004. Having a passion for preaching, she has preached throughout Arizona, in Soweto, South Africa, and has been a repeat devotional leader for the Women's Division for the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. at its Annual Session. Currently, Dr. Stewart is an active member of the First Institutional Baptist Church and is the immediate past Executive Director of Ministries and the first to serve in the position. Having held several staff positions at FIBC throughout her ministry career, God developed and trained Karen to become the first-ever Executive Director of FIBCO Family Services, Inc., the non-profit arm of First Institutional. Under her leadership, this organization received over $100,000.00 in grant funding in her second year.
PASTOR GREGORY L. PERKINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Pastor Gregory Perkins accepted Christ in 1979 and was licensed to preach at age 17. He was ordained in 1989 and later served as Assistant Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Santa Barbara, California. In June 2016, he became Lead Pastor of The View Church.
A former human resources executive with over 20 years of progressively responsible experience, Pastor Perkins holds degrees in applied psychology, human services, educational leadership, and theological studies and received the William O. Crews Leadership Award and the Lifeway Pastoral Leadership Award from Gateway Seminary.
Beyond The View Church, he served as President of the National African American Fellowship of the SBC, representing over 4000 predominantly African American SBC-affiliated congregations; Chair of the Board of the Baptist Foundation of California; and an executive board member of the Inland Empire Baptist Association.
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