GEORGE PRYOR

George Wynn Pryor was born to the lineage of the late Claude Pryor and Eliza Wynn Pryor on September 19, 1938 in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He is the eleventh of twelve children born to this union. From his childhood to his death George was a shy, quiet and humble man who had a good heart. George was a sweet obedient child loved dearly by his older brothers and sisters. He was shy by nature, but when he preached, there was “a different spirit involved”.

Reverend George W. Pryor is a product of the Sulphur Springs Public School system. The educational pursuits of Pastor Pryor led him to Bishop College where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. His post-graduate studies have included coursework at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas. Pastor Pryor was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Divinity Degree by the Southern Bible Institute, Dr. Gordon Mumford – President, on May 4, 1986.

With strong family values, Rev. George W. Pryor and the former Alma Jewel Harrison were united in holy matrimony on August 1, 1959. To this union four children have been born: Pamela Andrea (Adrian), Darrell Wynn (Michelle), Michael Dwain (Stephanie), and Tammy Adrian (Deceased).   Before marrying the love of his life, he also fathered Mazetta Goodwin (Deceased) and Timothy J. Williams.  He has also nurtured a foster son Travis Ward, and enjoyed the love that was shown to him and his family by Cliff Parker, a chosen and committed friend.

Pastor George W. Pryor said he felt the call to preach in the winter of 1962, "but it took seven months for me to be courageous enough to answer it."  On November 11, 1964, George W. Pryor, along with thirteen (14) members were led by the Holy Spirit to unite as “one body in Christ” and organized the New Birth Baptist Church. He started his church in his home with a Wednesday night service. Fourteen people were there as charter members - Pastor Pryor, 12 of his family members and one co-worker.

Almost five decades later, he counted that first moment in front of the congregation as one of the most terrifying of his life - along with his wedding day and his first jump as an Army paratrooper.  He overcame a couple of those concerns in fine style.

He once stated in an interview, "I've been married now for 50 years," he said, "and I love preaching, I really do.”  “But I never did care for jumping out of airplanes."

Those early days of ministry were filled with challenges, though. "It didn't remain that way for long," he said. "Over the years, we've had a lot of names on the rolls, 6,000-plus. We see about 1,000 people each week and 2,000 to 3,000 show support - they call this church their church home."

Along the way, at least 120 men from the church acknowledged a call to preach, and 35 of those are pastors, Pastor Pryor said, including his two sons.

Pastor Pryor once said in an interview, "That is one area in which we've excelled," he said. "God in his grace has given a lot of preachers to this church."  Since starting the church in November 1964, Pastor Pryor said he has seen society change. But his focus hasn't.

"The network of support from the church has always been there for people," he said. "And people need the Gospel. That hasn't changed. I think that since the Bible doesn't change, neither should my message. The theme needs to be Jesus Christ."

When asked about retirement he said, “At 71, he occasionally thinks about retiring someday. But that's up to God, he said. "If I should become unable to do what I feel pleases God and meets the needs of the people, then I'd consider retiring," Pastor Pryor said. "But until then, I believe in being faithful to my call."

Accomplishments & Awards:
Acquisition of several church sites; including the purchase and relocation to 444 W. Ledbetter Drive on 13 acres with 38,000 square ft. in improvements valued in excess of $3,500,000 to accommodate a growing membership and enrollment of more than five thousand (5,000);opened the Jesus Center (a multipurpose building) in 1993 which has housed a Day Care Academy; seniors programs, and numerous community events

A father in the ministry to more than one hundred (100) sons of which thirty-three (33) or more are now Pastors

The George W. Pryor Scholarship was established in 1988 in his honor, and more than 30 students have received scholarships with stipend and grant awards of over $100,000

Sustained contributions to National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. Foreign Mission Board to countries in Africa and Asia, providing aid to combined efforts, including the building of hospitals and schools as well as facilitating World Relief efforts in several countries; regularly contributes to relief efforts in Haiti.

National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. – Member and Conference Presenter for more than two decades

Recipient of Kuta Keza Kazi Award for Community Service by the Dallas Regional National Alliance of Black School Educators – May 23, 2003

Recipient of Outstanding Texan Award by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, the Honorable Joseph Deshotel – Chair, February 7, 2003

Recognition by the City of Dallas, the Honorable Mayor Ron Kirk, for Community Service on August 18, 2001

Induction into the Elite News Religious Hall of Fame with recognition by the Honorable Yvonne Davis, District #111

February 5, 1993 – Honored as Pastor of the Year by the Interdenominational Ministers Alliance for Outstanding Pastoral Leadership

Recipient of recognition by Governor Ann Richards for Outstanding Community Leadership February 4, 1993

2010 recipient of the Whitney M. Young Award, Dallas Urban League

Recognized by Dallas Morning News as Living Legend, 2010

Professional Affiliations:
President – Dallas Baptist Minister’s Union and Vicinity

Treasurer - Interdenominational Minister’s Alliance

Former Second Vice President- Oak Cliff Baptist Ministers Union

Life Member - National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

President – North Texas Regional Missionary Baptist General Convention of Texas

Professional Responsibilities:
Pastor of church with active membership in regular attendance of approximately 2,000 (currently holding two Sunday Morning Worship Services)

Instructor of Bible Study with enrollment of 200

Moderator Dallas Regional District Association which includes 21 other churches with an aggregate membership of 2,000 which supports the National and State Conventions, Colleges, Red Cross, Missionary Programs and Scholarships, and numerous other charitable organizations.

Weekly Expositor: International Sunday School Lesson

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