The Most Reverend LeRoy Bailey, Jr., accepted Christ at the tender age of seven.  He began ministering at the age of ten and is in his fifty-fourth year of ministry.  Having grown up in a Christian home in Memphis, Tennessee, he continues to lead a life that exemplifies the passion, purpose and principles of God.

 

His achievements have been recognized by Presidents of the United States and other notable Dignitaries for sharing the message of God's love and boundless mercy.  In 2008, The Most Reverend spoke before thousands of Pastors and dignitaries in Uganda and each year, he ministers in the Mission Fields of Guatemala.  His achievements include an induction into the Martin Luther King, Jr., International Board of Preachers at Morehouse College as "A Role Model and Moral Example For All Seasons."  His numerous civic awards for excellence in leadership, outstanding achievement, and faithful service include, but are not limited to, citations from numerous Governors of the State of Connecticut, and members of the Connecticut General Assembly.  He also received community leadership recognition from The Muhammad Islamic Center of Hartford, CT.

 

He completed his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Arts from the American Baptist College, Nashville, TN.  He also earned a Master of Divinity from Howard University, Washington, DC.  He also completed a Doctorate of Ministry from Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT.  He has received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from The New England International School of Ministry, Marshville, MO, as well as an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Tennessee Baptist School of Religion, Memphis, TN.

 

Archbishop sits as the Overseer of the International Bishops Conference USA, and he has consecrated Bishops nationally and internationally.  He is also the Co-Adjutor of the International Bishops Conference with jurisdiction in the United States, Africa, and the Caribbean Regions.  He is the Prelate of Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant, a Co-Founder of Pastors In Covenant, and a Co-Founder of Connecticut Coalition of Churches.  These organizations are comprised of Pastors of diverse denominations and ethnicities, and provide a positive forum for collaboration and institutional development.  He also serves locally in many capacities in Hartford, CT as a Corporator of the Hartford Seminary, a Corporator and Board Member of St. Francis Hospital, and as a Chaplain of the Hartford Police Department. 

 

He is also involved in community leadership.  His involvement includes serving as a Judiciary Leadership Panelist at Hartford Seminary on the topic of "Church Challenges: Ecclesiology and Leadership Today."  In addition, he was the guest presenter at a Colloquium on "Leadership in Changing Times" which was sponsored by the Anglican Studies Program of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale Divinity School.   He was also granted the opportunity to be a guest speaker at Clark University, Worcester, MA, and a baccalaureate speaker at Gordon College, Wenham, MA.

 

Archbishop LeRoy Bailey, Jr. is the Senior Pastor and Chief Executive Officer of The First Cathedral, Bloomfield, CT.  In the 38 years of his pastorate, The First Cathedral has grown from a few hundred to more than 11,000 members. Under his leadership, The First Cathedral provides a weekly television and radio broadcast "Discovering Your Power", senior housing of eighty units in the City of Hartford (First Village and Second Village Senior Housing) and a theological training center (New England International School of Ministry).  God chose The First Cathedral to be a testimony of His faithfulness through the construction of its 120,000 square foot facility, and the future development of an 80,000 square foot Family Life Center.

 

He is the author of "A Solid Foundation"; a powerful and inspirational manual that provides concise principles for developing a solid foundation for facing and overcoming life's daily challenges. 

 

He has a Shepherd's heart and is a gifted and anointed teacher, preacher and counselor.   His love and devotion to the Lord directs him to equip believers for Kingdom service. 

 

He has been married for 35 years to his childhood sweetheart, First Lady, Rev. Reathie Bailey, who serves as the Senior Advisor to the Archbishop.  They are the proud parents of three children; a daughter, Minister Riva Bailey Green (Spouse, James Green), and two sons, Rev. LeRoy Bailey, III, (Spouse, Tiffany N. Bailey), and Rev. Michael David Bailey (Spouse, Sonya Peters-Bailey).  They have 5 precious grandchildren.