If the measure of a man is the impact he had on those around him, then we have lost a titan, an icon, and an everyday hero.
Bishop George Dallas McKinney was my mentor and my best friend. But those titles - any titles - fail to give the full measure of his impact.
In his home town of San Diego, Bishop McKinney was a "towering figure of the black church," the pastor who started St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church of God in Christ in a restaurant basement and turned it into a thriving and vibrant faith community that includes a school, senior centers, and housing for the needy.
On the national stage, Bishop McKinney was an influential black pastor who served on the General Board of the Church of God in Christ and was in consideration as the U.S. Senate Chaplain. Renown for his Biblical scholarship, Bishop McKinney was always active in the cause of justice. His principles were his guide as he worked to defeat racism and defend faith.
As a public figure, Bishop McKinney had an enormous impact. But he was also an incredible friend. He worked with me as I founded the Give Me a Chance Ministry and supported many ...
