9 things to know about New Birth Pastor Jamal Bryant

Shelia Poole, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has named Jamal-Harrison Bryant as its new senior pastor.

Bryant, 46, comes from Baltimore’s Empowerment Church, which he founded in 2000.

Here are 9 things to know about Bryant:

Bryant is a third-generation pastor. His grandfather, Harrison Bryant, was an AME bishop. His father, John Richard Bryant, is a retired presiding bishop in the AME Church. His mother is the Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant.

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Education: Bryant earned an undergraduate degree in political science and international studies from Morehouse College and a master’s of divinity degree from Duke University. In 2005, Bryant received a doctorate of ministry degree from the Graduate Theological Foundation. He also took courses at Oxford University.

First sermon: Bryant preached his first sermon at age 18 at Bethel AME Church in Baltimore. It was entitled “No Pain, No Gain.”

What you don’t know: Bryant failed the 11th grade and has a GED. He came to Morehouse on probation.

Family: He has five daughters, ranging in age from 12 to 20. His oldest daughter is a student at Georgia State University. Bryant is divorced. His ex-wife, Gizelle Bryant, is one of the stars of the reality show “Real Housewives of Potomac.” His sister is Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, an associate professor at Pepperdine University, who is also seen on the OWN reality TV show, “Chad Loves Michelle” and “Dr. Phil.”

Community work: Bryant has been very active in the social justice and civil rights movement. He was out front on the Trayvon Martin case in which an African-American teen was shot to death by neighborhood watch volunteer.

His work has also focused on housing, health, safety and voter registration.

What Bryant is currently reading: “Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward” by Henry Cloud. He reads a book a week.

Fraternity: Kappa Alpha Psi.