The Harvard Whooper - Dr. Charles G. Adams

Next January 28 - February 1, thousands of Baptists will gather in Atlanta for the Celebration of the New Baptist Covenant. I have blogged extensively about this historic Celebration HERE.

Under the theme "Unity in Christ," this three-day Celebration will feature quality preachin' from some of the most gifted Baptist ministers including Dr. Joel Gregory, Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell, Dr. William Shaw, and the subject of this post - Dr. Charles G. Adams.


So who exactly is this man that some call the Harvard Whooper?

According to Ebony magazine, Charles G. Adams is one of America's 15 greatest Black preachers and among the top 100 most influential Black Americans. Ebony describes Adams as...

"America's most unique preacher, an essayist who reads from a manuscript and makes people weep and shout. The Harvard-trained preacher has been called 'the Harvard Whooper.' He 'reads from a manuscript,' a fellow minister said, 'but in a way that does not depreciate the art form.' Another minister said he has an electrifying style and 'the unusual gift of setting a manuscript on fire.'"

Since 1969, Adams has been the Pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan. Before his tenure at Hartford Memorial, Adams served as Pastor of the historic Concord Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts, New England's largest African-American congregation.

Charles G. Adams is recognized worldwide as a leader in the fight for social justice. In 1989, he was invited to speak before the United Nations on South African apartheid. Adams also spoke before the World Congress of the Baptist World Alliance in Seoul, Korea. He has devoted much time and effort to combating racism both here in the United State and abroad through his work with the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches. In October 1994, Adams accompanied President Clinton to Jordan to witness the signing of the Peace Accords between Jordan and Israel.

A past President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Adams has served on boards and committees of numerous organizations most notably the Baptist Joint Committee and the Baptist World Alliance. For more biographical information, please see here.

Time and time again, Charles Adams has stated that "if you read the Bible right, you will see a concern for the poor."

I agree. And I'm ecstatic about having the opportunity to hear Dr. Charles Adams preach next January at the Celebration of the New Baptist Covenant.

If any person can reignite our concern for the poor - it's the Harvard Whooper...