Historic sermon marks milestone for women in Baptist leadership
Rev. Tracey L. Brown has delivered the first sermon by a woman during the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc.’s (NBCUSA) annual meeting. The service took place on September 9 at the Kansas City Convention Center. Brown, 63, learned about the milestone only moments before stepping to the pulpit.
“I feel humbled and honored,” said Brown, pastor of Ruth Fellowship Ministries in Plainfield, New Jersey. For her, the opportunity was not only personal but also symbolic for women across the Baptist faith.
Although women have long preached in local congregations, the NBCUSA had never before featured a woman preacher at its annual worship service. The organization, founded 145 years ago, remains one of the nation’s largest Black religious groups.
Tracey Brown’s journey to the pulpit
Brown has been an ordained minister since December 15. She also serves as an Associate Minister of the Rose of Sharon Community Church in Plainfield, New Jersey. In 1999, she founded Ruth Fellowship Ministries, where she continues to lead a growing congregation.
Her years of ministry prepared her for this moment, even if she did not anticipate it. During her sermon, Brown reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped church traditions and reminded members of the importance of adapting to change.
Her words carried weight as she stood before thousands, offering a message of resilience and renewal in faith.
Leaders and scholars react to milestone
Rev. Boise Kimber, president of NBCUSA, praised Brown’s sermon, declaring the night “will go down in the history books.” Kimber also shared plans to elevate more women leaders and younger pastors in the denomination’s leadership.
Religious scholars echoed the importance of this event. Professor Renita Weems remarked, “It’s a long time coming; it’s 2025. A lot of local churches are light-years ahead of the executive cabinet of the National Baptist Convention.”
This sermon filled a long-standing gap in representation at the top level of Baptist leadership.
A growing recognition of women leaders
The NBCUSA has recently made other moves to recognize women. In April, Kimber appointed Rev. Debbie Strickling-Bullock as the first female chairman of the denomination’s Sunday School Publishing Board.
These steps mark a shift in how the NBCUSA approaches leadership roles for women, even as debates about tradition and progress continue within the church community.
For Brown, the honor was deeply personal. Her words that evening reflected not only her faith but also her commitment to opening doors for others.
