Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey
The Reverend Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey is the eleventh Pastor-Elect of the Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn. A native of Kansas City, KS, he is considered an old soul, embracing the values of faith, punctuality, sacrifice, commitment, integrity, and achievement.
He currently serves as the fourteenth pastor of the historic Mount Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill, NY. Since his arrival, in June 2005, more than 500 new believers have surrendered their lives to the Lord and several new ministries were created—Higher Ground Television Ministry, After School Center for Nurture and Development (ASCEND), Project Hope, and the Mount Olivet Community Development Corporation. He led an effort to acquire 1.7 million dollars in realty assets that were either adjacent or abutting the church property.
Under his leadership, Mount Olivet has become a model worshiping community that reaches throughout Westchester County, touching the old and young; black and white; male and female. Believing in the equality of gifting, Dr. Lacey affirmed the need for a gender inclusive Diaconate, currently chaired by a woman, a first in the 121-year history of the church. In February 2008, Dr. Lacey was privileged to offer the opening prayer for the 2nd session of the 110th Congress of the U. S. House of Representatives. He also was afforded the rare privilege of participating in an ecumenical prayer service with His Holiness Pope Benedict the 16th.
The Samuel Dewitt Procter Institute’s “Great Preacher Series” and the Morehouse Board of Preachers have recognized his preaching contributions to Christianity.
Dr. Lacey earned a Bachelor of Arts in World History from Ottawa University, a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and was conferred a doctorate of Philosophy from Northwestern University. Supplementary to his academic accolades, he received a certificate as Community Developer from the Harvard Divinity School's Institute for Church-based Community and Economic Development.
In addition to his pastoral responsibilities, Dr. Lacey has served as an adjunct professor in the Philosophy and Religious Studies Department at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. He is an advocate for economic and racial equality and his counsel and advice are widely sought in the community. He is the immediate past president of the Peekskill Area Pastors Association, founding member of the Cortlandt Taskforce on Diversity and board member of the Westchester County Housing Opportunity Commission and the Interfaith Housing Council.His memberships are numerous including the American Academy of Religion, African American Men of Westchesterand Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Prior to joining Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Dr. Lacey served as the Associate Pastor of Christian Education and Discipleship at Grace Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, NY, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson. Dr. Lacey’s Christian nutriment coupled with his extensive community development experience aided in managing Grace Community Development Corporation, a not-for-profit interfaith social service agency.
Inclusive to his work as an intergenerational pastor, professor and community leader, Dr. Lacey has been blessed as the husband of the incomparable and the father of two extraordinary children: Cameryn Alexandra and Adolphus Matthew.
