Charles G. Adams

Profile

Charles G. Adams, one of the most prominent ministers in the United States, joined the Faculty of Divinity as the first Nickerson Professor of the Practice of Ethics and Ministry in July 2007, for a five-year term. Adams, an acclaimed preacher and expert on ministry and urban revitalization, had previously been senior pastor of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit since 1969. Under his leadership, the church was nationally noted for establishing social, educational, and recreational programs for a congregation numbering at more than 10,000 members, as well as broader economic development initiatives that have helped revitalize much of northwest Detroit. He has been president of the Detroit branch of the NAACP and holds memberships on numerous boards across the United States, including those of the National Council of Churches and Morehouse College. In a more global arena, he has been integral to the World Council of Churches' efforts to combat racism around the world, and in this regard addressed the United Nations on South African apartheid. In 1994, he accompanied President Bill Clinton to Jordan to witness the signing of the peace accord between Jordan and Israel. He has honorary doctorates from many American institutions, including Morehouse, Dillard University, and Tuskegee University, and has received many awards, including the Katzenstein and Black Alumni awards at HDS, where he has also been a central teacher for the Summer Leadership Institute for faith-based community and economic development.