Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant has officially been name the new senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. This prominent church sit in Stonecrest Georgia and hold a strong place in the history of Black churche in the South. It rose to national fame under the leadership of Bishop Eddie Long a bold figure who helped grow the church into a megachurch. Long led thousand every week and left a deep imprint on the community. He pass away in 2017 at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer.
After his death, the church faced uncertainty. It needed a leader who could handle both the legacy and the spotlight. The search process stretched across the country. Church officials considered 138 candidates before making a final decision. Each name came with its own following and qualifications. Still, Bryant stood out.
He brought more than a strong resume. His voice carried weight in the church world and beyond. His work at Empowerment Temple in Baltimore gained national attention. He also brought a unique mix of social awareness political experience and spiritual depth. His firm stance on justice and equality made him a figure many respected. The selection committee saw him not just as a pastor but as a leader who could speak to today challenge while keeping the church grounded in faith.
Bryant appointment signal a new season for New Birth. It combine the church past influence with a new vision for its future.
Who Is Pastor Jamal Bryant?
Jamal Harrison Bryant is a well known pastor activist and public speaker. He gained national attention as the founding pastor of Empowerment Temple in Maryland. His leadership help the church grow quickly into one of the region most dynamic and fastest growing congregation. His sermon often drew large crowd and touched on both growth and social justice.
Bryant studied at Morehouse College in Georgia a historically Black college known for producing influential such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His experience there deepen his passion for justice education and the mission of the Black church. He later continue his studies in theology to strengthen his ministry and sharpen his message.
Outside the church Bryant became known for stepping into public debate. In 2018 he ran for Congress in Maryland 7th district. He challenged longtime US Representative Elijah Cumming. Though he lost the race the campaign helped raise his political profile. It also confirmed his reputation as a bold leader who is not afraid to take risk or speak truth to power.
Bryant’s voice reaches beyond Sunday services. He regularly speaks out against racism, inequality, police violence, and poverty. He calls for action and change in the systems that impact Black communities. His approach mixes strong biblical teaching with real-world issues. This blend makes him a trusted figure in both the church and the community.
He has also appeared on major news networks, participated in national rallies, and led local protests. Many see him as a modern-day preacher who bridges the gap between the pulpit and the streets. His words move people, but his actions speak just as loud.
First Sermon at New Birth
Jamal Bryant gave his first official sermon as senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on December 9 2018. The service drew large crowd high emotion and national attention. People came to witness a new era for the church. Some came to support other to observe. All came knowing the church was turning the page.
That day marked more than a routine sermon. It was a symbolic reset. The congregation still healing after the loss of Bishop Eddie Long looked toward a future filled with hope and renewal. Bryant stood at the pulpit with a message of strength healing and unity. His word touched heart. His energy matched the church need for revival.
His appointment came nearly a year after Bishop Eddie Long’s death. Long had led New Birth for decades. Under his leadership the church became one of the most prominent Black churches in the United State. Thousand attended service each week. The church held a strong media presence and deep influence in Christian circle.
But Long’s legacy was complex. His ministry built growth, but it also drew national scrutiny over allegations that surfaced in the later years of his leadership. His passing left a leadership void. Many wondered who could take on the responsibility—and the burden—of guiding the church forward.
Bryant accepted that call. His first sermon set the tone. He acknowledged the past but focused on the future. He offered a message that honored the church root while calling for progress and purpose. That day New Birth stepped into a new season, and Pastor Bryant stood ready to lead.
A High-Profile Choice
The search to replace Bishop Eddie Long was not a quiet process. It drew national interest and stirred deep conversation within church communities. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church held a major legacy and the next leader would shape its direction for year to come. The church board faced pressure to choose someone who could preach with power lead with clarity and heal with compassion.
Several high-profile names emerged during the search. Among the most talked-about were Pastor John Gray and Bishop Marvin Sapp. John Gray a powerful speaker and Relentless Church in South Carolina became well known not just for his preaching but also through television. His reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network gave viewer a look into his life ministry and message across the country.
Bishop Marvin Sapp was also a strong contender. A season pastor based in Grand Rapid Michigan he is widely known for his music career. His gospel song Never Would Have Made It remain a powerful anthem in churche around the world. He leads Lighthouse Full Life Center Church and is respected for combining leadership with artistic impact.
Amid these big names stood Jamal Bryant. His name sparked discussion across congregations, social media, and news outlets. Rumors swirled, but New Birth’s leadership took time. They weighed each candidate carefully. They considered preaching ability, leadership style, and public image.
In the end, they chose Bryant. His experience as a pastor activist and communicator gave him a strong edge. His ability to lead and connect with diverse audience both in and out of the church set him apart. He could speak to pain and promise at the same time. The church saw him not only as a preacher but as a builder someone who could guide New Birth into a future rooted in both faith and progress.
More Than a Pastor
Jamal Bryant brings more than sermons and scripture to his role. His work stretches far beyond the church walls. He is often seen at rallie marche and public event where justice take center stage. He use his platform to speak out against racism poverty police brutality and voter suppression. His message is clear faith must take action.
Bryant does not stay silent when communities suffer. He shows up. He speaks out. He challenges systems that keep people down. In city across the country people recognize him not only as a pastor but as a leader for justice. His bold voice make headline and shape conversation in churche school and government circle.
His activism often blends faith with real-world solutions. He supports education reform, prison reform, and economic fairness. Whether he stands in front of a congregation or a crowd, his goal stays the same—truth, equity, and hope.
Bryant personal life has also drawn public interest. He was once married to Gizelle Bryant a star on The Real Housewive of Potomac. Their relationship including their divorce and co parenting journey played out on reality TV. Though no longer together their history keeps Jamal Bryant in the spotlight beyond the pulpit.
This public presence, though at times controversial, has helped him stay connected to a wide audience. People see him as more than a preacher. They see him as a public figure—one who faces real challenges, makes real choices, and keeps showing up. His life is complex, but his mission stays firm. Pastor Jamal Bryant leads with conviction, both in church and in the world beyond it.
What This Means for New Birth
The appointment of Pastor Jamal Bryant signal a bold shift for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. After year of change and loss the church has chosen a leader who does not shy away from tough topics. This choice tell the world that New Birth want to move forward. It want to rebuild trust grow it influence and reach people who seek faith and truth in the same place.
Bryant brings energy, vision, and a modern voice. He understands today’s cultural landscape. He speaks directly to younger generations who often feel left out of traditional church settings. He speaks their language, addresses their concerns, and invites them into the faith. His presence promises a church that does not ignore reality but leans into it with grace and strength.
Under Bryant, New Birth looks to become more than a place of worship. It aims to become a center for change. A place where prayer meets progress. A church that welcome everyone and equip them to make a difference in the world. His track record show that he is not afraid to take risk. He lead with purpose and acts with boldness.
The congregation sees this. The community sees this. Bryant’s leadership marks a new season, full of promise. His sermons will speak to both spirit and struggle. His actions will match his words. Faith will stay at the core, but so will justice, service, and relevance.
In choosing Jamal Bryant, New Birth has chosen to rise again—not just in size, but in meaning. It has chosen a leader who lives in the real world, preaches with power, and walks with people. A new day has come to New Birth, and all eyes are on what comes next.
Final Thought
Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant now leads one of the most visible churches in America. New Birth Missionary Baptist Church carries a name known in both church circles and national headlines. It holds a history marked by powerful worship, community outreach, and complex challenges. Bryant steps into this space not as a stranger, but as a leader shaped by both faith and fire.
He brings years of pastoral leadership, a background in activism, and a bold voice for truth. His presence at New Birth is not just about filling a role. It’s about shaping a new legacy. His call to action reaches beyond sermons. It reaches into neighborhoods, school systems, and public debates. He does not just speak on justice—he moves with it.
Under his leadership, New Birth has the chance to grow in new ways. The church may become a louder voice in national conversations, a stronger hand in local service, and a brighter light for those seeking purpose. Bryant brings a clear mission: to connect the gospel to the real world and make the church a place of both healing and hope.
New Birth begins again. It walks into the future with fresh vision and steady faith. A new story unfolds, and the world is watching—not just to see what Jamal Bryant will do, but to witness how a church can rise, rebuild, and reclaim its voice.