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Dr. W. James Favorite, Senior Pastor
and Dr. Ann Favorite
The Reverend Doctor W. James Favorite was born in
Vacherie, Louisiana, the third son of a family of five boys and one
girl. He is a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rough,
Louisiana where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science Degree
in Health, Physical Education and Social Studies. He attended the
Virginia Seminary and College of Lynchburg, Virginia, where he earned both
a Bachelor of Arts in Religion in 1995 and a Masters of Divinity in
Theology in 1997. IN December of 1990, Rev. Favorite received an
Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Maryland Theological Seminary
and College for his outstanding work in the ministry. He continued
his studies at this institution and in June 1995 he earned the Doctor of
Ministry Degree.
Rev. Favorite was licensed to preach the Gospel in July
1984. He was ordained on September 13, 1995 by Morning Star Baptist
Church in Catonsville, Maryland, where he served as Pastor from April 1987
until he was called to Beulah Baptist Institutional Church, Tampa, Florida
in August 1995.
He has been called “…a friend, a wise counselor, a
biblical preacher, and an obedient, caring servant of God”. His
primary agenda is ‘Kingdom Building’ and his high energy has taken him from
the walls of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church out into the communities
of Tampa, to the local politicians, to the State Representatives in
Tallahassee, to the Congressional and Senatorial Representatives in our
Nation’s Capital. He believes in education and believes that every
man, woman and child deserves a fair chance. He believes in that the
community can be a better place for everyone if every person would give
just a tenth of their time or talent.
Pastor Favorite has been active in many community
organizations and has served on many committees since moving to
Tampa. Included are Pastors on Patrol, the African American Family
Support Initiative, Childcare Facilities Advisory Board, Urban League
Board, and the list goes on. He recently completed four years of
service as President of the Congress in the Progressive National Baptist
Convention, Southern Region.
Beulah Baptist has experienced much growth in membership,
faithful giving and Christian Education since Rev. Favorite accepted
the call as Pastor. He came with a Vision to lead Beulah into the
21st Century and he has shared this Vision with many in the Tampa Pastoral
Community. HE is committed to teaching other ministers to
preach and has demonstrated this initiative by sponsoring a biweekly
‘Effective Preaching’ class that is free to all that would come.
Dr. Favorite is married to Dr. Ann Fuller Favorite.
They have two adult children, Rodney of Baltimore, Maryland and Andrea of
Los Angeles, California and one grandchild, Master Hashim Favorite of
Baltimore.
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