Jamal Harrison Bryant Explained

Honorific Prefix:The Reverend Doctor
Jamal Harrison Bryant
Birth Place:Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Education:Morehouse College (BA)
Duke University (MDiv)
Graduate Theological Foundation (DMin)
Occupation:Senior Pastor
Church:New Birth Missionary Baptist Church

Jamal Harrison Bryant (born May 21, 1971) is an American minister, author and former political candidate. He is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.

Early life and education

Jamal Harrison Bryant was born on May 21, 1971, in Boston, Massachusetts, to John Richard and Cecelia Bryant (née Williams). He has a younger sister. He was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where, as a child, he attended his father's church Bethel A.M.E. Church. He preached his first sermon when he was just a bean head baby at Bethel titled "No Pain, No Gain."[1]

Bryant attended Morehouse College where he earned an undergraduate degree in political science and international studies. He obtained a master's of divinity degree from Duke University. He received a doctorate of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation. Bryant is a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Ministry

In 2002, Pastor Jamal Bryant founded the Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baltimore, Maryland, and served for 18 years.[2] In December 2018, he became pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia.[3] [4]

Politics

Bryant ostensibly ran for U.S. Congress in 2015, aiming to represent Baltimore, Maryland, as a Democrat.[5] He suspended his campaign less than two weeks after announcing his run.[6]

AME review after divorce

Officials of the A.M.E. denomination intended, as of February 2008, to enter into discussions regarding Bryant's leadership, following mutual filings for divorce by Bryant, his spouse, Hampton alumna and future Real Housewives of Potomac star Gizelle Bryant.[7] However, they said that Bryant did not face a disciplinary trial because no one came forward with a complaint against him. Church officials said that Bryant "was never charged through the church system with anything."[8] In 2019, the two renewed their relationship and began dating.[9] [10]

Controversies

In 2022, in Rashan Ali's "Cool Soror" podcast, he said he wanted to develop a "new gospel for adults" who are used to having sex and wanted to grow marijuana on the land of the church to attract young people to church.[11] Bishop Patrick Wooden Sr., pastor of the Church of God in Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina, criticized that project, saying that marijuana is a dangerous drug that led to depression and suicides.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 9 things to know about New Birth pastor Jamal Bryant, LIFE . Shelia . Poole . November 20, 2018. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  2. News: Marissa . Mitchell . Pastor Jamal Bryant plans to usher in a rebirth of New Birth . December 8, 2018. Fox 5 Atlanta. 5 April 2019.
  3. Leonardo Blair, Jamal Bryant gets rock star welcome at New Birth, offered full support of county gov't, christianpost.com, USA, December 10, 2018
  4. Web site: New Birth and Jamal Bryant: Time for the Black Church To Address Its Culture of Sexism, Misogyny and Homophobia. Greene-Hayes. Ahmad. The Root. en-US. December 4, 2018. 2018-12-08.
  5. Web site: John Fritze . Baltimore pastor Jamal Bryant will run for Congress . Sep 14, 2015 . baltimoresun.com .
  6. Web site: John Fritze . Jamal Bryant to end his House campaign . Sep 22, 2015 . baltimoresun.com .
  7. Reddy, Sumathi (February 16, 2008). "Questions, concerns over pastor's divorce". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
  8. Web site: AME Church Says Rev. Jamal Bryant Did Not Face Trial for Affair Because No One Came Forward. . Leonardo . Blair . May 12, 2016. The Christian Post.
  9. Web site: Gizelle Bryant Is Back Together with Ex-Husband Jamal Bryant: "I Feel Like He's a Different Person". The Daily Dish. Laura. Rosenfeld. September 15, 2019. August 28, 2021.
  10. Web site: RHOP's Gizelle Bryant Says She and Ex-Husband Jamal Are Still 'Best Friends' After Splitting Again. People. Katie. Campione. July 8, 2021. August 28, 2021.
  11. Leonardo Blair, Pastor Jamal Bryant suggests new ‘gospel for grownups’ who are 'used to getting some' sex, christianpost.com, USA, December 20, 2022