A native of Detroit, Michigan, Reverend Dr. Joseph B. Gordon is a graduate of the University of Michigan, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications and a Master of Divinity from the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree in Prophetic Preaching from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Since 2014, he has served as the pastor of Carter Temple C.M.E. Church in Chicago, IL. 

Dr. Gordon is blessed to be an invited preacher, teacher, and revivalist across the United States. He was blessed to be an inaugural presenter at the Styberg Preaching Institute at Garrett Seminary and received the Styberg Award for excellence in homiletics. In 2011, he received the Outstanding Minister Award from the Phillips School of Theology at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA. He was named one of Garrett Seminary’s “Faithful 50” Black Alums. He was also recognized as an “Unsung Hero” in Chicago’s Chatham/79th Street community and a portrait was commissioned in his honor. His board, denominational, ecumenical, and organizational affiliations include: Brothers and Sisters United against HIV/AIDS (BASUAH) in IL; Storehouse of Hope (MI); public relations aide for Congressman John Conyers, Jr; NAACP; Detroit’s Community-Faith Initiative; Garrett Seminary field education supervisor and mentor; the General Conference and Connectional Board of the C.M.E. Church; National Conference of Black Churches; founding member of the Black Methodist Alliance (Detroit), past president of the Detroit and Chicago District Ministerial alliances; Pan-Methodist Commission; and the National Council of Churches. He works alongside interdenominational and community leaders on Chicago’s Southside, and is a founding member of the Greater Chatham Clergy Association. 

Dr. Gordon serves in connectional leadership with the Standing Committee on Finance and Investments and is the Budget Director for the Third Episcopal District of the C.M.E. Church. He also serves the chairman of the Joint Board of Finance of the Southeast MO, IL, and WI Region, and held the same position in the Michigan-Indiana Region. As president of the Carter Temple Community Development Corporation (CDC), he offers steady leadership to the Gateway 79 project, a planned mixed-use housing/retail development. He also led in the establishment of Mahalia Jackson Court, a public outdoor plaza. The “Making of Mahalia Jackson Court” won an Emmy award (Public Affairs/Short Form, 2023). Through his leadership, Carter Temple CDC and its affiliates have been awarded nearly two million dollars in grants for capital projects and community programs. Carter Temple’s Gateway 79 is an inaugural Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) pilot program in the City of Chicago. Carter Temple CDC also launched Impact Youth, a state-funded leadership development and capacity building program, under Dr. Gordon’s leadership. As a board member of the Chatham Community Collaborative, he worked to secure one million dollars in state funding for community development initiatives. 

Prior to Carter Temple, Dr. Gordon served as pastor in four assignments in the states of Illinois and Michigan. Under his leadership, there have been capital improvements, as well as increases in stewardship, membership, and community involvement. However, and most important, lives have been changed and souls have been won for the kingdom of God. His passions are preaching, teaching, and working with civic and community leaders, health care issues and other concerns directly related to the African American experience and the urban church. He believes in the power of partnership and is wholly persuaded that change happens through collaboration.