The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI), a coalition representing more than 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities across the United States, has officially announced its list of the 25 Most Effective Christian Biblical Preachers of 2025-2026.
This distinguished recognition honors pastors, scholars, and church leaders whose preaching demonstrates exceptional biblical depth, theological clarity, cultural relevance, and transformative impact within congregations and communities nationwide. The NBCI noted that those selected reflect a commitment to faithful exposition of Scripture, prophetic witness, and leadership during a critical season for the Church.
The 2025-2026 Honorees Are:
-
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Senior Pastor, The Potter's House, Dallas, TX -
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight
Assistant Professor of Homiletics, The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA -
Bishop Rudolph W. McKissick, Jr.
Senior Pastor, Bethel Church, Jacksonville, FL -
Rev. Dr. Charles Goodman Jr.
Senior Pastor, Tabernacle Baptist Church of Augusta, GA -
Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin, Sr.
Senior Pastor, Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA -
Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Ph.D.
Presiding Bishop, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ -
Rev. Dr. John W. Kinney
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Beaverdam, VA -
Dr. Steven G. Blunt
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church Mahan Street, Suffolk, VA -
Rev. Clifford Jones
Senior Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC -
Rev. Reginald Wayne Sharpe Jr.
Senior Pastor, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, IL -
Rev. Dr. Frederick Haynes III
Senior Pastor, Friendship-West Baptist Church, Dallas, TX -
Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs; Bandy Professor of Preaching, Emory Candler School of Theology -
Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby
Senior Pastor, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, TX -
Rev. Matthew Watley
Senior Pastor, Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, Calverton, MD -
Rev. Dr. Tellis Chapman
Pastor, Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Detroit, MI -
Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant
Senior Pastor, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church -
Dr. Ralph Douglas West
Senior Pastor, The Church Without Walls, Houston, TX -
Bishop Dr. Claude M. Alexander
Senior Pastor, The Park Church, Charlotte, NC -
Pastor Mark A. McCleary
Founder and President, Mark McCleary Ministries -
Bishop Noel Jones
Pastor, City of Refuge LA; Founder, Noel Jones Ministries -
Rev. Dr. John Faison
Senior Pastor, Watson Grove Baptist Church, Nashville, TN -
Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley
Senior Pastor, Alfred Street Baptist Church, VA -
Rev. Dr. William H. Curtis
Senior Pastor, Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, PA -
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II
Co-Chair, The Poor People's Campaign
According to NBCI leadership, this year's list reflects a diverse range of preaching voices-pastoral, academic, prophetic, and pastoral-scholar-who are shaping Christian discipleship and public theology through Scripture-centered proclamation.
The National Black Church Initiative continues to affirm the central role of preaching in strengthening faith communities, addressing social challenges, and advancing biblical literacy across generations.
