Dr. Carlton Byrd On a Mission for God
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd is imbued by the call of Jesus Christ to preach the gospel of the kingdom to the whole world as a testimony to all nations (see Matthew 24:14). He is a deeply committed pastor-evangelist,
and the third speaker/director of Breath of Life, a media ministry sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist church.
In addition to serving as the speaker/director of Breath of Life, Byrd was formerly the senior pastor of the 4,000-member Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Under his leadership the church’s membership and attendance have increased, and the church building has been remodeled. The church was awarded a $5.2 million grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in January 2009 to construct a senior citizens’ housing apartment complex. In
2009 the church was named the innovative church of the year by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Currently, Dr. Byrd is the new senior pastor of the Oakwood University Seventh-day Adventist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
As the speaker/director for Breath of Life, Byrd has been given a worldwide platform from which to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He has a wholistic vision for Breath of Life. Founded in 1974 by Walter Arties, “Breath of Life Ministries is dedicated to sharing the healing gospel of Jesus Christ in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. This is done through the production and distribution of Christ centered quality television and media programs, and support materials that are intellectually stimulating, Bible based, and designed to help people choose a quality of life found only in following Christ” (Breath of Life). Dr. Byrd intends to continue and broaden the vision of its founder, and former speakers/directors Charles D. Brooks and Walter Pearson. His vision for the ministry includes involvement in community, adopting a church in Africa, and utilizing social media to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He also envisions Breath of Life “establishing affiliate churches.”
This concept is consistent with his philosophy of “friendship evangelism.” Plans are being made to broadcast on major television networks such as NBC. Dr. Byrd’s vision is wedded to his love for God and his desire to promulgate the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
He is a supporter and product of Christian education. Christianity, he says, is a “lifestyle.” Christian institutions provide young people with an “environment in which to prepare for eternity” as they live in the present world. In addition to graduating from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, with dual degrees in theology and business, Byrd earned the Master of Business Administration from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. He earned the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Andrews University Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Byrd’s pragmatic preparation for ministry came from several ministers, including his father, who washis first pastor and mentor who told him he would “know what to do and not to do” in ministry if he observed him. Because of his commitment to education, Dr. Byrd received the Alumnus of the Year award in 2008 from Oakwood University. Distinguished as a stellar preacher in the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in April 2008, Byrd was inducted into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Robert Jacquet, a deacon at the 16th Street Seventh-day Adventist Church in California, said, “He is a dynamic speaker and makes the Word of God plain.” Joe Jordan, public relations correspondent for Breath of Life, says, “Carlton Byrd is a sincere preacher. For him, two people in an audience are just as important as the 4,000 people who come weekly to worship at the Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church.”
Byrd is a family man. His family is central to the success of his ministry. “Danielle, my wife of 14 years, is a perfect complement to pastoral ministry; she gives me much needed balance. My daughters, Christyn and Caileigh, keep me humble. To my children, I am Daddy.”
Dr. Byrd is driven by excellence. He is stirring Christian believers into a deeper relationship with God, and inspiring those who don’t know Jesus to accept Him as their personal Savior. His pulpit is the entire earth; his audience is God’s children in every part of the world.
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