In 1965, the keen eye of spiritual leaders in the City of Detroit launched a platform for Pastors, The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc. (The Council). This Baptist Body of pastoral leadership was developed believing in the need for the nurture, development, training, networking and spiritual support of pastors and ministers and the offering of leadership of social justice issues to the community-at-large. The Council uses its platform to recommend associate pastors by assisting and encouraging them in every field of Christian ministry and social change, to which the members are called to use their gifts to the glory of God.

Serving as The Council’s First President, The Reverend Roy Allen, Pastor of the Chapel Hill Baptist Church, worked along with his First Vice-President, Reverend Roosevelt Williams, Pastor of the First Community Baptist Church and Second Vice-President, Reverend Charles Nicks, Sr., Pastor of the Peoples Baptist Church, formed the structure of The Council by developing its By-Laws and Constitution, implementing Committees that would provide an array of supportive services to pastors and their communities and strengthening its outreach efforts to attract other pastors with like-minded vision.

It was agreed by The Council that January through December, 1965 would be the organizing year and The Council would start its tenure years (a three-year term) with its leader, The Reverend Roy Allen. Reverend Allen provided strong leadership as he molded a pastoral body to empower itself and encourage personal and corporate involvement in social and political concerns in the communities The Council served. Reverend Allen stressed the importance that The Council must stay focused on those issues deemed strategic in carrying out the “Great Commission.”

Over the last fifty (50) years, many great Presidents have and are serving The Council and we remember their legacy in prayer and gratitude: