Bishop Claude R. Alexander, Jr.
A passionate advocate for unity and collaboration between Africa and the African diaspora.
Having accepted the call to ministry at the age of 17 in May of 1981, Bishop Claude Alexander has sought to serve God and community. After serving as Pastor of Morning Star Baptist Church in West Mifflin, PA from 1987- 1990, Bishop Alexander answered the call to be the Senior Pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina in May of 1990. Under his leadership, it has grown into a global ministry of thousands, with weekly international reach. He has addressed national/international leaders in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and India. A leader among both Christian and civic organizations, he has consistently been listed among the most influential persons in Charlotte,
North Carolina and has worked with government and community officials to address the community’s most critical issues. He is the author of Required: God’s Call to Justice, Mercy and Humility to Overcome Racial Division coauthored with Dr. Mac Pier, Necessary Christianity – What Jesus Shows We Must Be and Do, and the soon to be released Becoming The Church – God’s People in Purpose and in Power. He and his wife Dr. Kimberly Nash Alexander are the proud parents of two daughters, Camryn Rene and Carsyn Richelle.
Education
Bishop Alexander has endeavored to prepare himself for service in Ministry, and the Community by obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Morehouse College (1985), a Master of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (1988), and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2004).
Organizations
Over the years, Bishop Alexander has served as a board member of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, United Way, the Arts and Science Council, the N.A.A.C.P. Educational Committee, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, Charlotte Center City Partners, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and The Community Building Initiative. He is a Past President of the Hampton University Ministers Conference, the oldest and largest interdenominational gathering of African-American clergy in the United States. Currently, he serves on the boards of Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, BioLogos, Movement.Org, the International African-American Museum, and the Trinity Forum. He provides leadership as chair of the Board of Christianity Today Board of Directors, and of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Board of Trustees and as Vice Presiding Bishop of the Kingdom Association of Covenant Pastors.