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Heralded as one of the “most effective preachers in the English-speaking world” by Newsweek magazine, Reverend James Forbes the Senior Pastor of Riverside Church has announced that he will be stepping down from the pulpit next year.

The Rev. Dr. James Alexander Forbes, Jr. became the first African-American to serve as Senior Minister of one of the largest multicultural congregations in the nation and is internationally recognized as a preacher’s preacher.

The Riverside Church is an interdenominational, interracial, and international 2,400-member church built by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1927. Forbes was only the fifth minister to hold the position of Senior Minister in the churche’s illustrious history. He was installed in 1989 and under his leadership the church has hosted invited guests speakers that include the Dalai Lama and former South African President, Nelson Mandela. Recently, the church has conducted funeral services for Civil Rights Activist and and renowned actor Ossie Davis and R&B singer Luther Vandross.

It hasn’t been all a bed of roses for Forbes over the past 18 years of dedicated service to the Riverside community. Last year some members of the church accused him of misappropriating funds. The charges were unfounded and a judge dismissed the case.

After retirement Rev. Forbes plans to focus on continuing to expand the ministry outside the walls of the church. He already has launched the radio show, “The Time is Now” on Air America which creates a dialogue around progressive issues.

Source: Columbia Spectator

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