Meet the Convener
BISHOP-DESIGNATE DALE D. DENNIS, II
The Very Reverend Dale D. Dennis II is a pastor, preacher, community leader, and bridge-builder whose ministry stands at the intersection of faith, justice, formation, and institutional sustainability. With more than two decades of preaching experience and over a decade of pastoral leadership, Rev. Dennis is known for his ability to connect rigorous theological reflection with the lived realities of congregations and communities navigating change. Having accepted the call to preach at age 11 and being licensed to preach at the age of 13 in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Dennis’s call to ministry emerged early and has been shaped by deep denominational roots, disciplined formation, and a lifelong commitment to the Black Church as a sacred site of spiritual formation, cultural memory, and collective power. Pastoral Leadership & Ministry Journey Rev. Dennis currently serves as Senior Pastor of Solid Rock Church of Baltimore, a historic congregation located in the Station North Arts District. Under his leadership, the church has experienced renewed vitality through expanded membership engagement, strengthened leadership infrastructure, and a bold vision for historic campus redevelopment. The church’s facility, a former early-20th-century movie theater is being reimagined as a mixed-use space for worship, community gathering, and neighborhood investment. Prior to his current assignment, Rev. Dennis served congregations across the Mid-Atlantic, including pastoral leadership in Philadelphia, PA; Wilmington, DE; and Baltimore, MD. His ministry has included guiding congregations through transitions, financial recovery, capital improvements, and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for steady leadership in moments of uncertainty, he has helped churches stabilize systems, re-engage members, and reclaim a sense of shared purpose. Episcopal Leadership & Interfaith Affiliation Rev. Dennis is affiliated with New Day Interfaith Fellowship of Churches and Ministries, where he has received formal affirmation of ordination and episcopal appointment. In September 2022, he was invested as Overseer, serving in an episcopal role that supports clergy, congregations, and emerging leaders across denominational and theological boundaries. In recognition of his pastoral maturity, institutional leadership, and broader ministry impact, Rev. Dennis has received episcopal designation toward consecration, with plans for formal consecration in the summer of 2026. This designation reflects both accountability within his fellowship and a continued commitment to servant leadership, collaboration, and ecclesial responsibility. Formation, Education, & Teaching Vocation Rev. Dennis has completed a Certificate of Theology at The Interdenominational Theological Center and a Certificate in Foundations for Theological Education at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. He plans to continue his studies in the Master of Divinity program, further grounding his pastoral and episcopal leadership in rigorous theological formation. His academic interests include ecclesiology, Black theology, leadership ethics, and the practical governance of faith-based institutions. Alongside formal study, he is a gifted teacher and mentor who has led Bible studies, leadership trainings, and clergy development cohorts across denominational lines, helping pastors and congregations translate theology into sustainable practices that support long-term ministry health. Music Ministry & Worship Leadership In addition to preaching and teaching, Rev. Dennis’s ministry has long been shaped by a deep engagement with music and worship leadership. A trained and experienced church musician, he has served in various capacities including organist, choir director, and worship leader. His musical ministry has contributed to vibrant worship experiences and the formation of intergenerational music ministries. He understands music not simply as accompaniment to worship, but as theology sung, memory preserved, and resistance enacted. His musical background informs his preaching cadence, liturgical sensitivity, and pastoral attentiveness. The Clergy Conclave & Broader Leadership Rev. Dennis is the convener of The Clergy Conclave, an intergenerational and multi-denominational space designed to support the wellness, formation, and sustainability of senior clergy. His broader leadership includes service in ministerial alliances, community boards, and decades of work as a funeral officiant serving hundreds of families each year. D2 Ministries & Public Engagement Through D2 Ministries, Rev. Dennis extends his voice beyond the local church as a speaker, consultant, and collaborator, focusing on leadership development, congregational governance, community power-building, and the role of the Black Church in public life. Vision & Ongoing Work From his childhood at Memorial Baptist Church and Mt. Pisgah CME Church to serving at the highest levels of Connectional ministry, Overseer Dennis has been clear about the call to serve people and share God's message. At the heart of Rev. Dennis’s ministry is a conviction that faith communities can be both spiritually rooted and structurally sound—places of worship that are also engines of healing, justice, and collective flourishing. Whether preaching, teaching, convening, or building institutions, his work reflects a consistent commitment to integrity, imagination, and the long view of ministry. His Ministry Mantra is "Ducit Multis Ad Unum" which means "Leading Many to One"
The Very Reverend Dale D. Dennis II is a pastor, preacher, community leader, and bridge-builder whose ministry stands at the intersection of faith, justice, formation, and institutional sustainability. With more than two decades of preaching experience and over a decade of pastoral leadership, Rev. Dennis is known for his ability to connect rigorous theological reflection with the lived realities of congregations and communities navigating change. Having accepted the call to preach at age 11 and being licensed to preach at the age of 13 in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Dennis’s call to ministry emerged early and has been shaped by deep denominational roots, disciplined formation, and a lifelong commitment to the Black Church as a sacred site of spiritual formation, cultural memory, and collective power. Pastoral Leadership & Ministry Journey Rev. Dennis currently serves as Senior Pastor of Solid Rock Church of Baltimore, a historic congregation located in the Station North Arts District. Under his leadership, the church has experienced renewed vitality through expanded membership engagement, strengthened leadership infrastructure, and a bold vision for historic campus redevelopment. The church’s facility, a former early-20th-century movie theater is being reimagined as a mixed-use space for worship, community gathering, and neighborhood investment. Prior to his current assignment, Rev. Dennis served congregations across the Mid-Atlantic, including pastoral leadership in Philadelphia, PA; Wilmington, DE; and Baltimore, MD. His ministry has included guiding congregations through transitions, financial recovery, capital improvements, and the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for steady leadership in moments of uncertainty, he has helped churches stabilize systems, re-engage members, and reclaim a sense of shared purpose. Episcopal Leadership & Interfaith Affiliation Rev. Dennis is affiliated with New Day Interfaith Fellowship of Churches and Ministries, where he has received formal affirmation of ordination and episcopal appointment. In September 2022, he was invested as Overseer, serving in an episcopal role that supports clergy, congregations, and emerging leaders across denominational and theological boundaries. In recognition of his pastoral maturity, institutional leadership, and broader ministry impact, Rev. Dennis has received episcopal designation toward consecration, with plans for formal consecration in the summer of 2026. This designation reflects both accountability within his fellowship and a continued commitment to servant leadership, collaboration, and ecclesial responsibility. Formation, Education, & Teaching Vocation Rev. Dennis has completed a Certificate of Theology at The Interdenominational Theological Center and a Certificate in Foundations for Theological Education at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. He plans to continue his studies in the Master of Divinity program, further grounding his pastoral and episcopal leadership in rigorous theological formation. His academic interests include ecclesiology, Black theology, leadership ethics, and the practical governance of faith-based institutions. Alongside formal study, he is a gifted teacher and mentor who has led Bible studies, leadership trainings, and clergy development cohorts across denominational lines, helping pastors and congregations translate theology into sustainable practices that support long-term ministry health. Music Ministry & Worship Leadership In addition to preaching and teaching, Rev. Dennis’s ministry has long been shaped by a deep engagement with music and worship leadership. A trained and experienced church musician, he has served in various capacities including organist, choir director, and worship leader. His musical ministry has contributed to vibrant worship experiences and the formation of intergenerational music ministries. He understands music not simply as accompaniment to worship, but as theology sung, memory preserved, and resistance enacted. His musical background informs his preaching cadence, liturgical sensitivity, and pastoral attentiveness. The Clergy Conclave & Broader Leadership Rev. Dennis is the convener of The Clergy Conclave, an intergenerational and multi-denominational space designed to support the wellness, formation, and sustainability of senior clergy. His broader leadership includes service in ministerial alliances, community boards, and decades of work as a funeral officiant serving hundreds of families each year. D2 Ministries & Public Engagement Through D2 Ministries, Rev. Dennis extends his voice beyond the local church as a speaker, consultant, and collaborator, focusing on leadership development, congregational governance, community power-building, and the role of the Black Church in public life. Vision & Ongoing Work From his childhood at Memorial Baptist Church and Mt. Pisgah CME Church to serving at the highest levels of Connectional ministry, Overseer Dennis has been clear about the call to serve people and share God's message. At the heart of Rev. Dennis’s ministry is a conviction that faith communities can be both spiritually rooted and structurally sound—places of worship that are also engines of healing, justice, and collective flourishing. Whether preaching, teaching, convening, or building institutions, his work reflects a consistent commitment to integrity, imagination, and the long view of ministry. His Ministry Mantra is "Ducit Multis Ad Unum" which means "Leading Many to One"
Hello, I’m Dale. For over two-thirds of my life, I’ve dedicated myself to public ministry within the Black church tradition. Throughout these years, I’ve participated in numerous conferences designed to enhance ministry skills. However, many gatherings only touched superficially on the core challenges ministers face, which is why the Conclave exists—to provide a focused platform that deeply addresses the essential realities and growth of those committed to this sacred calling.
Overseer Dale D. Dennis, II