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PNBC president Timothy Stewart dies at 64

Timothy Stewart, the first international president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, has died, his denomination announced.

The Bahamas pastor served three years of his four-year term and presided over the virtual annual session of the historically Black religious group in August. He died on September 17 at age 64.

“Dr. Stewart faithfully served the Progressive National Baptist Conven­tion for over 3 decades, making history in 2018,” the PNBC said in a statement. “He was the first President from the International Region in Progressive’s 60 year history.”

Stewart began serving as the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Nassau, Bahamas, when he was 25, according to a bio provided by the PNBC.

He also was known for his role as a civic leader in the Bahamas and beyond. He was a board member of the Bahamas Development Bank, a member of the Bahamas Juvenile Panel, and a chaplain to the country’s House of Assembly.

When Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas in 2019, Stewart led the PNBC in raising money for supplies for his country’s devastated islands.

“I believe that this tragedy gives me an opportunity to affirm my faith and to apply my faith,” he said at the time. “In spite and in light of what has been a very tragic, very horrendous situation, we are forced to still see the grace of God.” —Religion News Service

Adelle M. Banks

Adelle M. Banks is a national reporter for Religion News Service.

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