Rev. Dr.
Melvin G. Miller
Our Pastor is the Beloved Rev. Dr. Melvin G. Miller. He was born in Richmond, VA and raised from the age of seven in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to becoming the Senior Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church, Dr. Miller served as Assistant Pastor and then Co-Pastor with his father the Rev. Dr. Earl F. Miller for more than a decade.
Innovation
At Progressive, Dr. Miller has established and led a number of key church initiatives including the First Friday’s Movie Night, the weekly youth and family discipleship program called Year-of-the-child (Y.O.T.C.), which includes free academic tutoring, a community meal, life skill classes and Bible study. He led the drive to establish the Legacy Tree and other efforts, which have led to the purchase of a new sound and video system in the church and the cancellation of almost 2 million dollars of church debt.
Education
Dr. Miller has a passion for learning. He completed his undergraduate studies at Hampton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. Upon graduation, he chose to further his education at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University, where he obtained a Master of Divinity degree, graduating Magna cum laude. Then, in 2007, he continued his academic training in the Department of New Testament and Early Christian Studies at the University of South Africa. In September 2013, Dr. Miller completed his dissertation entitled “First Corinthians 7 as Expanded Jesus tradition” and graduated with a Doctor of Theology degree (Th.D.) in New Testament.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Miller has been committed to accurate exposition of the Bible, sound gospel preaching and community activism. In addition, he has had the great privilege of teaching on all levels; thirteen years of primary and secondary instruction and twelve years as an adjunct professor at colleges in the Twin Cities. He has recently co-authored and published his first article with Oxford University Press and looks forward to publishing his dissertation in the near future.
Besides a number of pastoral and administrative functions, he also teaches Couple’s Bible Studies and serves in the MN State Baptist Convention as the Congress of Christian Education Dean. He also serves as the Vice President of the St. Paul Black Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance.
Dedication
Dr. Miller loves the Lord, people, and the church, and desires to always be in the center of the Master’s will. He is a proud father of seven children.