Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
Encyclopedia
Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr. is a pastor, author and Memphis, Tennessee
native. He serves as the senior pastor of The First Cathedral
, a church in Bloomfield, Connecticut
.
Reverend Leander A. Hamblin, the pastor of Golden Leaf Baptist Church having heard of LeRoy's mother's difficulties after the divorce, arranged for live with him on weekends in his household.
The rest of the week LeRoy lived with his mother and grandmother L. A Hamblin and his wife, having no children of their own, acted as parental figures for the remainder of his childhood and into his young adulthood.
It was during the period of Hamblin' tutorship and mentorship that LeRoy grew spiritually. In early 1956, he began to observe services from the pulpit
of the church with L.A. Hamblin. He was often given the responsibility to recite The 23rd Psalm
or The Lord's Prayer during the service. His preached publicly at Hamblins' Church, and his first sermon was delivered June 18, 1956, at the age of ten. His text was Luke 23:34.
After delivering this sermon, his fame within the City of Memphis grew. Several preachers in Memphis asked him to preach at their church One of the sermons delivered at a Memphis church was entitled "Going into all the world" it was based on the The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):
He toured with L.A. Hamblin, traveling across the United States preaching and teaching at several conferences. One of these events included the opportunity to preach to more than 5,000 people in Oakland, California
as part of a youth rally and at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan
at the time pastored by the late Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, a civil rights activist in the city.
When LeRoy was not traveling, he joined the evangelical circuit. He attended Melrose High School
in Memphis Tennessee. He was also promoted to assistant pastor.
. At the time of his arrival there were approximately 60 members.
LeRoy established, in his primary years at the church, his goals and objectives through sermons. One of these sermons, preached in 1974, was entitled "Going First Class", which was centered on the biblical passage Jeremiah 29:11:
The ministry grew. In 1970, the church moved into a larger facility.
In 1989, LeRoy led the church, now known as The First Baptist Church of Hartford, into a series of campaigns based on sermons with the themes of faith, equality, obedience and hope for the future. For example, The third campaign entitled "Rise Up and Build" which raised funds for the construction of the The First Cathedral
building was based on; Joshua 22:26-27:
LeRoy allowed the people to contribute to his vision, by holding what he called "dream nights," an opportunity for members to communicate their hopes and aspirations in relation to the future of the ministry.
Under LeRoy's Leadership, the church's membership has grown. As of 2005, the membership numbered over 11,000 makking the cathedral the largest church in the New England Region.
Local Programs
Ministerial Relationships
Missions
In 2001 after celebrating 30 years of pastoring The Rev. Dr. LeRoy Bailey Jr. was consecrated into the Bishopric, becoming known as Bishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
In 2003, he authored the book A Solid Foundation: Building Your Life from the Ground Up.
In the year 2006, Bishop LeRoy Bailey was appointed Archbishop after the suggestion of Archbishop Ranier Laufers, the chief consecrator at his 2001 elevation. Bucking the general trend of individuals in his position, Bailey continues to actively pastor The First Cathedral.
Leadership Positions Held:
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
native. He serves as the senior pastor of The First Cathedral
The First Cathedral
The First Cathedral exists both as a non-denominational Christian ministry based in Bloomfield, Connecticut as well as the edifice in which the ministry is held . Originally known as The 1st Baptist Church, it was founded in 1968 in Hartford, Connecticut. The pastor is Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.-...
, a church in Bloomfield, Connecticut
Bloomfield, Connecticut
Bloomfield is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 20,626 at the 2009 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and 0.2 square miles is water.Bloomfield is bordered by Windsor to the...
.
Early life
LeRoy Bailey Jr.'s was born April 25, 1946, the second of three children from the union of LeRoy Bailey Sr and Mrs. Vernada Breathett-Bailey. LeRoy Bailey Sr. was a steel technician and often traveled. Mrs. Bailey served as a secretary and organist at the Golden Leaf Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis Tennessee. After the birth of their second daughter the marital union dissolved.Reverend Leander A. Hamblin, the pastor of Golden Leaf Baptist Church having heard of LeRoy's mother's difficulties after the divorce, arranged for live with him on weekends in his household.
The rest of the week LeRoy lived with his mother and grandmother L. A Hamblin and his wife, having no children of their own, acted as parental figures for the remainder of his childhood and into his young adulthood.
It was during the period of Hamblin' tutorship and mentorship that LeRoy grew spiritually. In early 1956, he began to observe services from the pulpit
Pulpit
Pulpit is a speakers' stand in a church. In many Christian churches, there are two speakers' stands at the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left is called the pulpit...
of the church with L.A. Hamblin. He was often given the responsibility to recite The 23rd Psalm
The 23rd Psalm
"The 23rd Psalm" is the tenth episode of the second season of Lost, and the 35th episode overall. The episode was directed by Matt Earl Beesley, and written by Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. It first aired on January 11, 2006 on ABC, and was watched by an average of 20.56 million American...
or The Lord's Prayer during the service. His preached publicly at Hamblins' Church, and his first sermon was delivered June 18, 1956, at the age of ten. His text was Luke 23:34.
34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lotsCasting lotsCasting lots may refer to:*Sortition, the casting or drawing of lots to make a fair form of selection*Cleromancy, the casting or drawing of lots as a form of divination...
.
After delivering this sermon, his fame within the City of Memphis grew. Several preachers in Memphis asked him to preach at their church One of the sermons delivered at a Memphis church was entitled "Going into all the world" it was based on the The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He toured with L.A. Hamblin, traveling across the United States preaching and teaching at several conferences. One of these events included the opportunity to preach to more than 5,000 people in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
as part of a youth rally and at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
at the time pastored by the late Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, a civil rights activist in the city.
When LeRoy was not traveling, he joined the evangelical circuit. He attended Melrose High School
Melrose High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
Melrose High School is a public high school located in Memphis, Tennessee, in the Orange Mound area, serving 1557 students in grades 9-12. It is a part of the Memphis City School District.Melrose High School did not make AYP in 2007...
in Memphis Tennessee. He was also promoted to assistant pastor.
Enter: The First Cathedral
In 1971, Leroy Bailey was called to be the second pastor of the 1st Baptist Church, which at the time was located in Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. At the time of his arrival there were approximately 60 members.
LeRoy's vision and teaching
LeRoys' arrival brought new teaching to the members of 1st Baptist Church . His first sermon preached was entitled "What in the world are you waiting for?". It was a sermon that began his push for growth in the church.LeRoy established, in his primary years at the church, his goals and objectives through sermons. One of these sermons, preached in 1974, was entitled "Going First Class", which was centered on the biblical passage Jeremiah 29:11:
"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
- Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
The ministry grew. In 1970, the church moved into a larger facility.
The First Cathedral
The First Cathedral exists both as a non-denominational Christian ministry based in Bloomfield, Connecticut as well as the edifice in which the ministry is held . Originally known as The 1st Baptist Church, it was founded in 1968 in Hartford, Connecticut. The pastor is Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.-...
building was based on; Joshua 22:26-27:
"That is why we said, 'Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.' On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, 'You have no share in the LORD.'
- Joshua 22:26-27
LeRoy allowed the people to contribute to his vision, by holding what he called "dream nights," an opportunity for members to communicate their hopes and aspirations in relation to the future of the ministry.
Under LeRoy's Leadership, the church's membership has grown. As of 2005, the membership numbered over 11,000 makking the cathedral the largest church in the New England Region.
New programs
As Pastor, LeRoy established programs within the local community, relationships with other missions and missions internationally and transcontinentally.Local Programs
- First Academy, a Kindergarten through 3rd Grade, Elementary school.
- The Eagles Ministry, a drug-addiction recovery program.
- The New England International School of Ministry, a school of ministry for interested individuals.
- The First Cathedral Bookstore, provides Christian literatureChristian literatureChristian Literature is writing that deals with Christian themes and incorporates the Christian world view. This constitutes a huge body of extremely varied writing.-Scripture:...
for student in the school of ministry. - The First Music Conservatory, A Christian Alternative music school for all ages
Ministerial Relationships
- Willow Creek AssociationWillow Creek AssociationThe Willow Creek Association , a 5013 not-for-profit ministry, is an international, evangelical Christian association of more than 9,000 member churches from 90 denominations and 45 countries.-Mission:...
- Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant a forum for church leaders.
- Glory Chapel International Cathedral's organization Youth Challenge Internacional which funds missions across The United States Central and South America.
- Bahamas Faith Ministries International the ministry of Dr.Myles Monroe.
Missions
- Missionaries in Kenya, St. Lucia and Trindad and Tobago.
- Nuevo Reto- a mission in Guatemala City.
- Building wells in South East Asia.
In 2001 after celebrating 30 years of pastoring The Rev. Dr. LeRoy Bailey Jr. was consecrated into the Bishopric, becoming known as Bishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
In 2003, he authored the book A Solid Foundation: Building Your Life from the Ground Up.
In the year 2006, Bishop LeRoy Bailey was appointed Archbishop after the suggestion of Archbishop Ranier Laufers, the chief consecrator at his 2001 elevation. Bucking the general trend of individuals in his position, Bailey continues to actively pastor The First Cathedral.
Personal life
In 1970, Dr. LeRoy Bailey married the former Reathie Brown. He is the father of three children Reva Nelva Bailey, LeRoy Bailey III, and Michael David Bailey. As of January 13, 2008 all members of Baileys' family were ordained as ministers.Education
- Bachelor of Arts from American Baptist CollegeAmerican Baptist CollegeAmerican Baptist College is a small, predominantly African American liberal arts college located in Nashville, Tennessee...
, Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers.... - Master of Divinity from Howard UniversityHoward UniversityHoward University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... - Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Tennessee Baptist School of Religion, Nashville, TennesseeNashville, TennesseeNashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. - Doctor of Ministry from Hartford SeminaryHartford SeminaryHartford Seminary is a theological college in Hartford, Connecticut, USA.-History:Seminaries in the city of Hartford date back to 1833. In 1913, the current Hartford Seminary came into existence through the combination of three Hartford-based schools affiliated with the city's Congregationalist...
, Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making... - Honorary Doctorate Degree from Biblical Life College and Seminary, Marshville, Missouri.
- Honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree from The New England International School of Ministry, Marshville, Missouri
Other positions
Membership Positions Held:- Churches United in Global Mission (CUGM)
- Founding Member of Pastors in Covenant (PIC)
- Inducted member of Martin Luther King, Jr., International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College
- Member-American Leadership Forum (ALF)
- Member- Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance
- Past President and Member: Connecticut Missionary Baptist Convention
Leadership Positions Held:
- Corporator- Hartford Seminary
- Director- First Baptist Housing Development Corporation
- Chaplin- Hartford Police Department
- Prelate - Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant (C-4)
- Co-Founder of Connecticut Coalition of Churches (CCC)
- Overseer of the International Bishops Conference (IBC) USA
- Co-Adjutor of the International Bishops Conference with jurisdiction in the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean Regions