Official Announcement: The Fatherhood Legacy Award

 

Honoring Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr.

The National Partnership for Community Leadership (NPCL) is profoundly honored to announce that Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr., Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBCG), will be the recipient of the Fatherhood Legacy Award. This prestigious recognition will be presented during the 28th Annual International Father and Family Practitioners Conference, held June 8-10, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

 

A Global Catalyst for Collaborative Leadership

Pastor Jenkins is an incomparable church leader whose influence is woven into the fabric of national and international Christian leadership. Beyond his local pastorship, he serves as a strategic "bridge-builder" for the Body of Christ:

  • Board Chairman of Project Bridges: In this pivotal role, Pastor Jenkins leads a massive collaborative of churches and Christian nonprofits. Project Bridges is dedicated to strengthening the capacity of urban ministries through strategic alliances, high-level training, and resource sharing, ensuring that even the smallest ministries have the tools to make a global impact.

  • President of Converge: Making history as the first African American to lead this 170-year-old movement of over 1,700 churches.

  • National Board Leadership: His wisdom guides the highest levels of faith-based governance as the Board Chairman for the National Association of Evangelicals and the Board Chairman for The Skinner Institute.

  • A Champion of Community: As the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of SHABACH! Ministries, Inc., he has pioneered holistic community care, providing food, clothing, and education to over 11,000 people annually.

The Historic Fatherhood Rally at the Lincoln Memorial

The Fatherhood Legacy Award specifically recognizes Pastor Jenkins’ transformative leadership in convening the historic Fatherhood Rally Celebration on the 100th Anniversary of Father’s Day in the United States.

Standing on the hallowed grounds of the Lincoln Memorial, Pastor Jenkins provided the vision and sponsorship that brought thousands of men together to reclaim the mantle of fatherhood.

  • A Presidential Endorsement: The Rally featured the first-ever videotaped message on fatherhood by President Barack Obama, created specifically in support of the Rally to honor the vital role of fathers in the home.

  • A Musical Force: To ignite the spirit of the day, Pastor Jenkins brought an 80-member FBCG Men’s Choir, whose soul-stirring performance "rocked" the Lincoln Memorial crowd and became a lasting symbol of the strength found in male fellowship and faith.

A Gift to the Body of Christ and the World

Whether he is chairing a national board, mentoring pastors through Project Bridges, or ministering to his own congregation, Pastor John Jenkins remains a true gifted leader. His life’s work has restored the dignity of fatherhood and built the bridges necessary for the global church to thrive. We invite you to join us in June 2026 as we salute a true champion of the family and a servant-leader to the world.

“Developing Dynamic Disciples. Building Stronger Families. Connecting the World.”