Rest in Peace Pastor Adams
Pastor Emeritus of Historic Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Pastor of Pastors, Spiritual Father to many and my pastor for over a decade, Dr. Adams passed away quietly yesterday surrounded by family and close friends. I met Dr. Adams back in the mid-eighties(1980’s) when I was representing a member of his congregation who was a legal client of mine at the time. She was going through a very rough housing crisis.
Her home was being foreclosed upon and she and her family were very anxious about being homeless.They needed a certain amount of money to save their home. The church stepped up to the plate under Dr. Adam’s leadership and the legal issue was resolved. I was impressed as her attorney at his availability and deep concern about her situation. He was always readily accessible to meet with us to resolve her problem. I never forgot that.
Not only that, I eventually some 20 years later became a member of his church after I switched careers from law to full time ministry. Dr. Adams was responsible for opening the doors of Harvard Divinity School to many aspiring pastors locally and around the country. I had the opportunity to attend what was known as the Harvard Divinity School’s Summer Leadership Institute based on Dr. Adam’s recommendation while I was an Assistant Minister at my home church Calvary Baptist. He also wrote a letter of reference for my admission to Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York. He and his son, Rev. Christian Adams, Senior Pastor, later facilitated my ordination as a Reverend under the auspices of the Progressive National Baptist Convention(PNBC). Dr. Charles Adams was also responsible for a number of women being installed as Senior Pastors at well known churches in the Detroit area. His influence and leadership paved the way.
Dr. Adams was a great leader and always made himself accessible to members of his congregation and others in the community. Affectionately called PA, beloved by many, he will be fondly remembered and greatly missed. Below is a collage I created from church events in which I am pictured with Pastor. Upper left- Pastor Adams and myself at Hartford Baptist Church’s designation as an Historic site by the state of Michigan. Upper Center- Dr. Charles Adams and Rev. Cynthia Wilson at Greater Grace Church awards breakfast as Adams honored by Bishop Charles Ellis III. Upper right- Pastor Charles Adams, Rev. Cynthia Wilson and First Lady Mrs. Agnes Adams at Dr. Adam’s Museum Exhibit at Charles Wright Museum of African American History. See more below. Lower left-Dr. Charles Adams and Rev. Wilson at Postage Stamp Ceremony for Rosa Parks at Charles Wright Museum of African American History. Lower right Ibid Greater Grace Awards Breakfast.
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Cynthia D. Wilson
