BGCT African-American ministries director named

Posted: 12/21/06

BGCT African-American
ministries director named

By Barbara Bedrick

Texas Baptist Communications

DALLAS—Charles Singleton, pastor of First Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth, is leaving the church he founded 22 years ago to become director of African-American ministries for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

“The African-American congregations of the BGCT are growing and are committed to reaching all the people they can for Christ and discipling them in his call and way,” said Charles Wade, BGCT executive director. “I am excited and proud that Rev. Charlie Singleton has agreed to answer God’s call and our invitation to serve in this strategic role.  He will be a great leader among us.”

Singleton becomes the third BGCT African-American ministries director in more than two decades. He assumes his new post Jan. 1.

Ron Gunter, BGCT associate executive director and chief operating officer, praised Singleton’s ministerial experience.

“Rev. Charlie Singleton is a wonderful leader who will give the BGCT great direction for the future in the area of our African American Ministries,” Gunter said. “He is a well known and respected leader that will take our ministries to a new height. We are blessed to have him on our staff.”

Singleton served on the BGCT Executive Board from 2002 to 2006, the BGCT mission funding committee since 2001 and as a BGCT field representative in Tarrant County for African-American ministries since 1998.

Singleton is president of the Tarrant Baptist Association Pastor’s Conference, and he has held numerous other offices with that organization, including moderator in 2004.

“I see this as an opportunity to connect more African-American congregations with the convention,” Singleton said. In his new role, he hopes to bring a “spirit of collaboration, not only with the African American Fellowship but with other affinity groups”

During Singleton’s tenure at First Missionary Baptist, the congregation started the Southeast Hispanic Baptist Church to minister to the Hispanic population in the area and fostered an extensive youth outreach ministry. Thirty-three new members have joined the congregation this year. The church grew from 70 to nearly 300 members under his tenure.

Singleton believes the congregation and the city will consider his legacy as “having a pastor’s heart for the church and the community.”

The Fort Worth pastor also founded Miller Avenue Christian Academy, an academic and spiritual ministry to children two years old through second grade. His congregation collaborated with Fort Worth school district to develop tutoring and other after school outreach programs.

Singleton also served in various community roles including tenure on the Fort Worth City Planning Commission and Allied Communities of Tarrant County.

Singleton has participated in mission trips to Brazil, Nigeria, West Africa, Spain, England, India and South Africa.

Singleton’s ministry experience dates back to 1975 when he was ordained as a pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church, Calif. He served as associate pastor there two years. Singleton was pastor of Antioch Baptist Church of Fort Worth from 1981 to 1984. He was a founding member of the African American Fellowship.

Singleton is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.