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THE REVEREND DR. OTIS MOSS, JR. PASTOR, OLIVET INSTITUTIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH CLEVELAND, OHIO Theologian, pastor, and civic leader the Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. is one of America's most influential religious leaders and highly sought-after public speakers. A native of the state of Georgia, Moss was born on February 26, 1935 and was raised in the community of LaGrange. The son of Magnolia Moss and Otis Moss, Sr. and the fourth of their five children, he earned his B.A. degree from Morehouse College in 1956 and his masters of divinity degree from the Morehouse School of Religion/Interdenominational Theological Center in 1959. He also completed special studies at the Inter-Denominational Theological Center from 1960 to 1961 and earned his Ph.D. degree in ministry from the United Theological Seminary in 1990. From 1954 to 1959, Moss served as pastor of the Mount Olive Baptist Church in LaGrange, Georgia. From 1956 to 1961, he also served as pastor of Atlanta's Providence Baptist Church and therefore, simultaneously led two congregations from 1956 to 1959. From 1961 to 1975, he pastored the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Lockland, Ohio, and in 1971, he served as co-pastor, with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr., at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. In 1975, he was called to pastor Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where he continues today. Moss has been involved in advocating civil and human rights and social justice issues for most of his adult life. Having been a staff member of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., he currently serves as a national board member and trustee for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change. His work in the international community has taken him to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. He also traveled as a member of a clergy mission to the Far East in 1970 and to Israel in 1978. In 1994, he was the special guest of President William Jefferson Clinton at the Peace Treaty signing between Israel and Jordan, and, in that same year, he led a special mission to South Africa. Moss is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including Human Relations Award from Bethune Cookman College in 1976, The Role Model of the Year Award from the National Institute for Responsible Fatherhood and Family Development in 1992, Leadership Award from the Cleveland chapter of the American Jewish Committee in 1996, and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from LaGrange College in 2004. In 2004, he participated in the Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England and was a guest presenter for the Lyman Beecher Lecture series at Yale University. Moss is married to the former Edwina Hudson Smith. They have three children, Kevin, Daphne (deceased), and Otis, III.
EDUCATION Doctor of Ministry Degree, United Theological Seminary – Dayton, Ohio Master of Divinity, Morehouse School of Religion/Interdenominational Theological Center Special Studies – Inter-Denominational Theological Center Bachelor of Arts, Morehouse College EXPERIENCE 1975 – Present Olivet Institutional Baptist Church Cleveland, Ohio - Pastor 1994 - 2005 Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia - Chairman of Board of Trustees Adjunct Faculty United Theological Seminary Dayton, Ohio 1971 Ebenezer Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia - Co-Pastor (served with Dr. Martin Luther King, Sr.) 1961 – 1975 Mt. Zion Baptist Church Lockland (Cincinnati), Ohio Pastor 1956 – 1961 Providence Baptist Church Atlanta, Georgia - Pastor 1954 – 1959 Old Mt. Olive Baptist Church La Grange, Georgia Pastor (Served two congregations simultaneously For 3 years (1956-1959) HONORS AND AWARDS (1970 TO PRESENT)
2007 Honored by the Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference “Beautiful Are Their Feet” Celebrating the Ministry and Gifts of several notable religious leaders. Honored by the Trumpet Awards “International Civil Rights Walk of Fame” Rev. & Mrs. Moss honored by Who’s Who (In Cleveland) Magazine 2006 Invited to attend the inaugural celebration of Ms. Oprah Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. American Red Cross “Hero Event” honoring Rev. & Mrs. Moss for their humanitarian works locally and nationally. Honored with Trumpet Magazine’s Civil Rights Award Recipient of the “Living Legend Award” for ministerial service by the national Hampton University Ministers’ Conference Honored by Morehouse College – The naming of New Building – The Otis Moss, Jr. Dormitory Suites Received Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, Myers University, Cleveland, Ohio 2004 Received Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree, LaGrange College, LaGrange, Georgia Guest Participant for the Oxford Round Table, Oxford University, Oxford, England Guest Presenter, Lyman Beecher Lectures, Yale University 2002 - Listed as one of 30 People who defined Cleveland over the last 30 years. Honored “In Tribute to Public Service” by Cleveland State University (Levin College) Honored by Cuyahoga Community College at “Lunch with Oprah” Celebration 2000 Honored by Howard University College of Medicine 1997 Otis Moss, Jr.-University Hospitals Medical Center named in honor of Dr. Moss who presented the vision to the church in 1982. 1996 Leadership Award Presented by American Jewish Committee Cleveland Chapter 1995 Chaired Trustee Presidential Search Committee for Morehouse College 1994 Special Guest of President Clinton at Peace Treaty Signing between Israel and Jordan. Honored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., as Model for the Black Family Elected Chair, Board of Trustees – Morehouse College Leader of Special Mission to South Africa 1993 Selected by Ebony Magazine – One of America’s 15 Greatest Black Preachers 1993 Governor’s Award in Civil Rights presented by Gov. George Voinovich Candle in the Dark Award – Morehouse College (Candle in Religion) 1992 Role Model of the Year, National Institute for Responsible Fatherhood and Family Development Leader of Mission to North Africa 1989 Leader of Mission to West Africa 1988 Member of Board of Trustees – United Theological Seminary 1984 Selected by Ebony Magazine – One of America’s 15 Greatest Black Preachers 1983 Governor’s Award in Civil Rights presented by Governor Richard Celeste Black Professional of the Year – Black Professional Assn., Cleveland, Ohio 1982 Special Award in Leadership, Central State University Member of Harvard Review Committee. Harvard Divinity School (1975-1982) 1981 Ranked as one of Cleveland’s 10 Most Influential Ministers, Cleveland Press 1979 Consultation with President Carter at Camp David. Invited as religious leader to discuss moral and social issues facing the nation. 1985 & 1986 Traveled to Japan for Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration in Japan for U.S. Army & Navy 1977- 1978 Clergy Mission to Israel 1976 Human Relations Award, Bethune Cookman College 1975 Honored by Ohio House of Representatives Resolutions 1974 Member of Board of Directors – Morehouse School of Religion (1974 – present) Former National Board Member and Trustee – Martin Luther King, Jr., Center for Non-Violent Social Change, Program Committee 1970 Served as member of clergy mission to the Far East, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan 1971- 1975 Columnist for Atlanta Inquirer, Atlanta, GA SPECIAL HONORS ___________________________________________________________________________________ Consultant to President Jimmy Carter at Camp David (1979) Special Guest Lecturer/Speaker for United States Army and Navy in Japan. Martin Luther King, Jr. Programs (1985 & 1986) Guest Minister for Japan’s Tokyo Baptist Church (1985) Special Guest at Taegu University in Taegu, South Korea (1985) Delivered Easter Sermon on nationwide CBS-TV (March, 1986) Appeared as guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss “Current Trends in Religion” (1986) Thirty-Third Degree AASR of Free Masonry, Prince Hall Affiliation (1987) Life Member NAACP Life Member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Role Model of the Year, National Institute for Responsible Fatherhood Member: Sigma Pi Phi (Boulé) HONORARY DEGREES ___________________________________________________________________________________ L.H.D. (Doctor of Humane Letters) Myers University, Cleveland (2006) D. D. (Doctor of Divinity) LaGrange College, LaGrange, Georgia (2004) L.H.D. (Doctor of Humane Letters) Cleveland State University (1997) L.H.D. (Doctor of Human Letters) Shorter College, North Little Rock, Arkansas (1988) D. D. (Doctor of Divinity) Morehouse College (1977) D. D. (Doctor of Divinity) Temple Bible College (1970) PERSONAL ___________________________________________________________________________________ Married to the former Edwina Hudson Smith. Has three children: Kevin, Daphne (deceased), Otis, III. Reared in LaGrange, Georgia, the fourth of five siblings – three sisters, one younger brother. Mother, Magnolia Moss died when Otis Moss, Jr. was four years old. Father, Otis Moss, Sr., a sharecropper, died when Otis was sixteen years of age. “My decision to enter the ministry was a gift or calling from God. I was greatly influenced by my hometown church community and spiritual leaders. My mentor was Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, President of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; he provided encouragement and inspiration. An abiding friendship and association with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. provided great inspiration and an excellent model for leadership.” 8712-14 QUINCY AVENUE - CLEVELAND, OHIO, 44106 – TELEPHONE (216) 721-3585 FAX (216) 721-2288 – E-MAIL (VIA) BGAFFNEY@OIBC.ORG Revised April, 2007 PUBLICATIONS (PARTIAL LIST) ___________________________________________________________________________________ Chapters in the following: 1. The Black Christian Experience (2 Essays) 2. Best Black Sermons, “Going from Disgrace to Dignity” 3. Our Help in Ages Past, “Spiritual Employment” 4. Walking Integrity, A Voice for the 20th Century and Beyond 5. Baptist Against Racism, Necessary Paths to Authentic Reconciliation” 6. African American Pulpit, Sermon: “The Challenges and Glory of A Great Dream” (Summer, 2000) 7. Sound the Trumpet, Messages to Empower African American Men (Chapter 12) - “Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters” 8. Strategies and Hope for National Baptist Unity in the 21st Century, 1990 Doctor of Ministry Document 9. Book by Dr. J. Alfred Smith, No Other Help I Know (single chapter) 10. Editor, A Jubilee Project: This is My Story, This is My Song SPEECHES, LECTURES AND SERMONS (PARTIAL LIST) ___________________________________________________________________________________ American Baptist College Ashland University Baldwin Wallace Boston University Case Western Reserve University Central State University Chautauqua Institution Clark Atlanta University Cleveland State University Cleveland State University Colgate Rochester College of Mt. St. Joseph Colorado College Cuyahoga Community College Dillard University Eastern Baptist Theological Eden Theological Seminary Emory University, Candler School of Theology Hampton University Harvard Divinity School Haverford College Howard University Howard University Divinity School Interdenominational Theological Center John Carroll University Kenyon College LaGrange College Meharry Medical College Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) Michigan State University Miles College Morehouse College Morehouse School of Religion Morris College Mt. Holyoke Northern Baptist Shorter College Southern University Spelman College St. Joseph College The College of Wooster Tuskegee University United Theological Seminary University of Cincinnati University of Denver, Iliff School of Theology Vanderbilt University Virginia Union University Voorhees College Wilberforce University Wright State University
