Pastor Black is a Born-Again Christian. He was raised, and received his elementary education in East Texas. He served in, and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy, and later moved to Arizona. In Arizona, he worked with his Brothers to build hundreds of homes in South Phoenix and other cities in Arizona. He accepted his call to the Ministry in 1962, and in 1965 was called to Pastor the South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church. Over the years, he continued his education, earning an undergraduate degree, several graduate degrees, and a Doctorate in Theology. Pastor Black has been very active in community activities, and served for twenty three years on the Roosevelt School District Board of Education in Phoenix. In 2006 he was honored to have a new state-of-the-art school named in his honor, the “Dr. Bernard Black Elementary School”. Dr. Black serves as Moderator of the Zion Rest District Association and President of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Arizona. In addition, he serves as a Vice President of the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America. Pastor Black is a hands on Pastor, and meets no strangers. Many people think of him as “our Community Pastor”. In May 2015, Pastor Black will celebrate his Fiftieth Year serving as Pastor of the South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church.
About the First Lady
Sis. Lillian Black was born in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. She is the 2nd of 11 children born to Deacon Leroy and Sis. Carrie Breshers. Sis. Black graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs, Iowa; attended the University of Omaha; graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Arts in Management degree, and received her Master of Education Degree from Northern Arizona University. Professionally, she worked as an Executive Secretary for the Southeast First National Bank of Miami Florida, a Legal Secretary for Sir Randall Fawkes in Freeport, Grand Bahamas, a Computer Sales Representative for Wang Laboratories, a Computer Concepts Instructor at Phoenix College, an Information Systems Director for Maricopa County Superior Court, and now graciously serves as First Lady of the South Phoenix Missionary Baptist Church. She is very active at South Phoenix, serving in many areas of the church, i.e. the Music Department, the Sunday School, Mission, Senior Ministry, and other areas. She is also active in the Zion Rest District Association, the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Arizona, and the National Baptist Convention of America. One of her favorite scriptures is Prov. 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”