Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr. serves as the senior pastor of Cathedral International—The Historic Second Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, NJ. Dr. Hilliard’s willingness to “Say Yes!” to the Lord has fostered his ability to provide leadership in the exponential growth of the church over the last 41 years, as a multi-faceted, relevant ministry. Cited by the American Baptist Churches (USA) as a model for church growth, Cathedral International has expanded its ministry to serve the specific needs of four different locations in New Jersey: Cathedral International in Perth Amboy, Cathedral International in Asbury Park, Cathedral International in South Plainfield, and Iglesia Cathedral in Perth Amboy. Through the facilitation of the gospel via Live Stream, Cathedral International now reaches thousands of homes across the globe.

 

Dr. Hilliard’s transformational mindset is reflected in the numerous community development initiatives established under his leadership. He is the Founder, and was the CEO of the Cathedral Community Development Corporation (CCDC), which was a vibrant umbrella organization providing a variety of outreach services to the local community. Dr. Hilliard is the author of 14 books on a variety of relevant topics: “Stop the Funeral,” (Stop the Funeral Revised released in April 2013) “Somebody Say Yes!,” “A Safe Harbor Begins @ Home,” “How Daddy Can Make A Difference”, “Faith in the Face of Fear,” “In the Grip of His Mercy,” “Church Growth from an African American Perspective,” “After the Fall: Resurrecting your life from Shame, Disgrace and Guilt,” “Journal Your Journey: This Too Will Pass,” “Faith in the Face of Fear – 10th Anniversary Edition,” “A Lenten Journey -Lessons Learned in the Wilderness,” and “Pentecost: Real Power for Real Times.” His most recent books, “Midlife, Manhood, & Ministry,” with Rhoda McKinney-Jones was released April 2013, and “55 and Counting,” was released in November 2013.

 

Dr. Hilliard has made several contributions in books for notable authors, and publications; as well as had the honor to serve as a contributing writer for the African American Pulpit. Bishop Hilliard has been blessed to preach the Hampton Ministers Conference 2 years consecutively, as well as been a facilitator for various churches, conferences, and conventions across the United States and internationally. Ordained into the Gospel ministry by the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. in 1978 and consecrated a Bishop under the hand of Bishop John R. Bryant in 1995, Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr. is the Presiding Prelate Emeritus and founder of the Covenant Ecumenical Fellowship and Cathedral Assemblies (CEFCA), now known as Covenant Fellowship Alliance (CFA). He continues to serve as Father and Influencer to countless sons and daughters across the nation.

 

Dr. Hilliard earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern College (now Eastern University), St. David’s, Pennsylvania, the Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, and an earned Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, as a Dr. Samuel D. Proctor Fellow. He is also the recipient of various honorary doctoral degrees. Dr. Hilliard currently serves as a Faculty Mentor of the inaugural “Building a Bridging: Transformational Approaches to Pastoral Leadership, Prophetic Preaching, and Spiritual Formation” Doctor of Ministry Degree Program at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Dr. Hilliard also currently serves as a Board of Trustees member of Eastern University, St. David's, PA.

 

Dr. Hilliard has served as Pastor – Scholar in Residence at Palmer Theological Seminary, as well as a member of the Board of Directors at Somerset Christian College, Somerset, NJ. He is the former Group Convener and Mentor of the Donald Hilliard Fellows Doctor of Ministry Program and visiting professor of Church Renewal at Drew University Theological School in Madison, NJ. In December 2012, Dr. Hilliard also partnered with Drew University Theological School as an Affiliate Associate Professor with the establishment of the Hilliard/Sweet Concentration as part of the Doctor of Ministry Program. In 1984, Dr. Hilliard also taught at Boston University School of Theology, under their Black Religious Thinking Studies Program. Most recently, he was named the Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at the New Brunswick Theological Seminary to assist in the development of clergy care groups and teaching in the consecration in urban ministry.

 

Dr. Hilliard is also the Founder and Host of his annual, national Safe Harbor Clergy and Mental Health Retreat, and Longevity Church Leadership Gathering. As the son of the late Alease Elizabeth Crawford Hilliard-Chapman and the late Donald Hilliard, Sr., Hilliard credits his parents for providing a stable and loving home where education and hard work were emphasized. On February 28, 2014, he launched the Donald and Alease Hilliard Chapman Foundation in honor of his parent’s legacy. “What you see over the last 40 years has been the divine favor of God,” said Hilliard, who partners in ministry with his wife, the Reverend Phyllis Thompson-Hilliard, BA, MA.

 

They are the proud parents of three amazing daughters, a son-in-love, their two grandsons, Joseph Donald and Harlen, and their granddaughter, Khori. Bishop Hilliard is a servant of God who is comfortable in Cathedrals, and storefronts; as well as corporate board rooms. He continues to say “Yes” to the Lord’s call on his life, and, by doing so, it is evident that he has positively affected the lives of thousands with his gift to turn a glimmer of hope into opportunity.