Meet Our Bishop Elect

Dennis A. Meredith

Bishop-Elect Dennis A. Meredith's goal is to inspire, educate, and liberate.  He gained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion from Sanford University in Birmingham, Alabama.  While living in Birmingham, he served at Mount Zion Baptist Church and Sardis Baptist Church.  Traversing from the east coast to the west coast, Bishop-Elect Meredith attended graduate School at Golden Gate Theological Seminary while serving as Pastor of Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist church in Oakland, California.

Bishop-Elect Meredith moved to Atlanta, Georgia after being unanimously selected to serve as Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church.  He is a well sought after Minster, a Life Coach, and Counselor offering weekly Relationship Classes to strengthen and build healthy communities.  He is an up and coming author and will be releasing his book entitled, “Behind the Veil, Fearless Truth.”  This book will showcase his fearless willingness to take a stand by being truthful about his own life as a traditional Baptist preacher hiding behind secrets that he personally revealed after being healed from a life- threatening disease.  He discovered his purpose in life was to become a spiritual leader and liberator of mankind.

He is most known for his leadership and unremitting efforts to promote positive change for social justice and human rights for all people.  He focuses relentlessly on equal rights for same gender loving people and couples.   Dennis Meredith has become a role model for all people through his messages of hope and affirmation.  His church’s motto is “Love and Acceptance.”  It’s an inclusive ministry for all people regardless of race, gender and/or sexual orientation.  His ministry provides a religious and spiritual covenant for those who have been prejudicially left out of being allowed to worship in traditional churches because of their sexual orientation or social differences. 

Since becoming Pastor of Tabernacle over 20 years ago, Bishop-Elect Meredith has led many major outreach developments ranging from community restoration to leading social justice and human rights campaigns.  His community development includes acquiring and refurbishing over 13 parcels of blighted property in the Old Fourth Ward, restoring an economically challenged community.  His outreach ministry for disadvantaged communities also extends to the co-founding of Beacon of Hope, Inc., a nationally accredited early childhood development center for low income families.  He has been and remains instrumental in various education, employment, and advocacy programs for the youth and young adults.

Realizing the HIV/AIDS pandemic was debilitating various socio-economic facets of society; Bishop-Elect Meredith spearheaded the Stop the Hate campaign.  This movement received national attention for its emphasis on stopping self-hate for the economically disadvantaged and same gender-loving people.  He sponsors several drives a year in his own church with forums and discussions to educate awareness on HIV/AIDS.  This platform afforded Bishop-Elect Meredith the opportunity to share the spotlight with Dr. Maya Angelou at a fundraising event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

He has been honored with many awards from various civic and religious organizations.   Meredith was presented the Clergy Committed to Community Award by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Action Network; a non-profit civil rights organization founded by Reverend Al Sharpton.   Bishop-Elect Meredith has also been recognized by the Atlanta NAACP, included among Atlanta Business Journal’s 100 Most Influential Pastors, and received the Dan Bradley Humanitarian Award to name a few. 

Whether Bishop-Elect Meredith is moderating a community forum, facilitating a relationship class, or preaching from the pulpit, his aim is to unite love’s wisdom to build healthy, successful relationships and communities.  He has helped people overcome past pains and discover their freedom and their right to Christ.  He has been featured in the New York Times and Bishop-Elect Meredith and his life partner appeared in the Atlanta Magazine in an article entitled, “Unorthodox: Three Stories of Rogue Ministers Who Found Their Own States of Grace.”

Bishop-Elect Meredith is a man of noble strength with a reputation for honesty, intellect, equality, and compassion. He has helped and continues to free thousands to spiritually and personally live their authentic life and truth.  His excitement and energy for encouraging his members to truly love themselves and one another is powerful.  Bishop-Elect Meredith has the heart of God and it manifests in his family, his church, and his life.  He is today’s Freedom Fighter.