Convention President
A native of Washington, D.C., Rev. Dr. Keith William Byrd, Sr., is Pastor at the historic Zion Baptist Church in Northwest, Washington D.C. He was called as the church’s ninth pastor in January 2006.
Rev. Byrd first accepted the call to preach in 1997, and was both licensed and ordained at the First Baptist Church of North Brentwood, Maryland under the pastorate of Rev. Perry A. Smith, III. Rev. Byrd is a gifted preacher, teacher and leader. With God’s guidance and Rev. Byrd’s visionary leadership, Zion desires to be a family church, empowered by the love of Christ, to serve the family of God. With this vision, Rev. Byrd has combined the Diaconate ministry to include both men and women; reestablished the Young Adults and Parents Ministries; and expanded the Bereavement Ministry.
He has overseen several church renovations, including an archival hallway to display Zion’s rich history. Under Rev. Byrd’s leadership, Zion has adopted a revised church constitution as well as created a Community Relations Ministry, and most recently restructured Zion Community Enterprises, a 501(c)3 entity. A few years ago, Zion embarked on its 5-year Strategic Plan for Ministry (2013-2018), a brain child of Rev. Byrd and the culmination of several small groups, workshops, and leadership summits. This Strategic Plan helps guide Zion in the areas of Christian Education, Leadership, Evangelism, Disciple Engagement, Diaconate Effectiveness, Facility and Technology Enhancements.
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Two years ago, Zion started a Leadership Academy to train Christian leaders in the church. Rev. Byrd is an active member of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, serving as Vice-President of the Eastern Region; the Baptist Convention of DC and Vicinity, serving as Vice-President at Large; the D.C. Baptist Convention; the Missionary Baptist Minister’s Conference of DC and Vicinity, and the Carter Baron Cluster of Churches.
In addition, he has been elected among his peers and confirmed as Chairperson of the Mayor’s Interfaith Council for Washington, DC. On August 9, 2018, in Philadelphia, PA he was elected to the position of Second Vice President of Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Howard University School of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry Degree in Church Leadership from the Wesley Theological Seminary. Three years ago, he was inducted into the Morehouse College Board of Preachers. Rev. Byrd has preached at various revivals, retreats, conventions, as well as other church and academic venues across the nation. Rev. Dr. Keith W. Byrd, Sr. is married to Kimberly Oneida Byrd, and they have two sons, Keith, Jr. and Kevin.
