About Dr. C. Dexter Wise III
What do you get when you mix a bundle of bubbling, rare and enviable gifts of communication with a burning zeal to reach the world for Christ? You get the soulful, insightful, and powerful pastor of Columbus, Ohio’s Faith Ministries Interdenominational Church – Dr. C. Dexter Wise III.
As a communicator, who has gone from the “hood” of Baltimore, MD, to the top of his class at Harvard in Cambridge, MA, Dr. Wise is prepared to speak effectively and authentically to virtually any occasion.
As a preacher and pastor, Dr. Wise was called to preach at the age of 12; licensed to preach at 16; ordained to the gospel ministry at 19; served as pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Providence, RI 1977-1982; served as pastor of Columbus, Ohio’s historic Shiloh Baptist Church, 1982-1991; In November of 1991, Dr. Wise was led to organize Faith Ministries Interdenominational Church in Columbus, Ohio.
This church grew from six members to more than 500 members in less than one month! (See www.faithministries.church) Faith Ministries now has a presence on multiple platforms online, a host of outreach ministries locally and in nearly forty nations around the world (see www.IFFM.wildapricot.com) and has built a brand new multi-million-dollar church on a 29 acre plot of land in Columbus, Ohio.
As a scholar, Dr. Wise received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania, Cum Laude in 1975; a M.Div. from Harvard Divinity School, Magna Cum Laude, 1978; received a MA from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences 1982; received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Virginia College and Seminary, in Lynchburg, VA 1980; and earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, May 1997. Dr. Wise also has a school of ministry which can be accessed online, on video tape or through live classes. (See www.thewiseschool.com)
As the “Rappin’ Reverend”, Dr. Wise recorded his first rap album “I Ain’t Into That!” which was the number one song on the number one rhythm and blues station in Detroit, MI. The song soared to number fourteen on the dance charts in London, England in the summer of 1987. Other Rappin’ Reverend publications are his book “I Ain’t Into That!” (The Book) and his rap album, “Crack Attack”. In connection with this, The Rappin’ Reverend went on a fifty-school tour and in ninety days got more than 18,000 Columbus, Ohio school children to make public commitments to live drug free, crime free and alcohol free lives.
As an author and publisher, Dr. Wise has written several books which include: The ABC’s of Effective Parenting; Stand: Seven Sermons for Saints in a Red Sea Situation; No Place for A Prophet: An Unconventional Preacher Trapped in A Traditional Church; Everything You Need to Know to Preach Like a Pro; Preaching to Empty Seats: More than 101 Steps to Fill God’s House with People, Power and Praise and his latest book Preaching Through a Pandemic: Victory Over a Virus with the Word of God. (See www.wiseworksonline.com)
As a pioneer, Dr. Wise was co-founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast in Columbus, OH which is the largest sit-down breakfast of its kind in the nation where more than 4000 attend annually. He founded the Wise School of Ministry; Faith In Action, Inc, a community development Corporation which bought, managed and built multiple millions in real estate and community development. He has been the force behind many years of after school programming for youth and other community outreaches. His latest initiative is called: “Do You Know Where Your Children Are?” which is an effort to revive the practice of radio, television, and other media outlets to pausing at 11 pm nightly and ask on air: “Do you know where your children Are?”
Dr. Wise has received many honors and awards for his tireless and impactful ministry over the years. He was recognized in Lima, Peru as Pastor Benemerito Internacional De Excelencia, Port Harcourt, Nigeria as a Chief, in Freetown, Sierra Leone as a Paramount Chief and in Abijan, Cote d’Ivoire as a King. He is a member of the Morehouse College Board of Preachers, recipient of the Billings Prize at Harvard for the best preacher, and holder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the Columbus Teachers Association. Presidential Award from President Joe Biden for Outstanding Volunteer Service to America. The Jewel Award for Urban and Community Development by the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Dr. Wise’s self-proclaimed greatest achievements are being the husband to his wife, Dr. Shirley D. Wise for more than 50 years, the father of three daughters, Sybil, Sheri (James), and Shonna (Isaiah), one son Ceylon (Ashley) and the Grandpa of nine grandchildren.