Rev. Howard M. Jenkins Jr., born in Portsmouth, VA, and grew up in Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Portsmouth. He has been married to Teresa Jenkins for 38 years and is the father of two young adults, Howard III and Morgan, and an adored daughter-in-law LaTarsha, grandfather of 3, Lynnea, Howard IV, and Lydia. Rev. Jenkins has lived in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia. An Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the previously pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Providence, RI for 14 years and a strong advocate for community engagement.

A Virginia State University alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. Holds a Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is currently attending Fuller Theological Seminary nearing completion of his Master of Divinity Degree.

Rev. Jenkins’ Christian upbringing began at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, VA at a very early age.  He credits his grandfather, Edward Busch Sr. for instilling in him strong Christian values as he attended Steward Board meeting with him on a regular basis as a young child.

Rev. Jenkins received his first Pastoral appointment to Bethel A.M.E. Providence on May 16, 2010, as an Ordained Local Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop Richard F. Norris at the 159th session of the New England Annual Conference and Ordained Itinerant Elder on April 2, 2017, by Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram at the 166^th Session of the New England Annual Conference.  Since Rev. Jenkins arrival at Bethel Providence, he has actively involved himself in renewing, rebuilding and restoring the people of God.  Rev. Jenkins accepted the call to preach in 1996 and has remained faithful and steadfast.  He has served as an Associate Minister at Bethel AME Church in New Haven, CT (1995 – 2003 and 2007-2010) and Emanuel AME Church in Portsmouth, VA (home church, 2003 – 2007). Prior to his calling in the ministry, he served on the Steward board and finance committee while at Bethel AME New Haven, CT and was Director of Christian Education at Quinn Chapel AME Church in Flint, MI.

Pastor Jenkins has served as President of the Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island and is highly active in several community organizations. A strong supporter of encouraging and educating COVID vaccination and testing. He led the Rhode Island faith initiative on Alzheimer’s awareness, and is currently leading a new initiative on breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancer to heighten the awareness in the black and brown community. Pastor Jenkins is supportive of the New England Corporate Prayer Organization against gun and gang violence and is chaplain for the Rhode Island Training School, a youth detention center. His goal in the communities he serves is to renew, rebuild, and restore the people of God.

Relevant Community Leadership

• President of Ministers Alliance of Rhode Island 2021-2024
• Rhode Island Commissioner of CHAE (Community Health, Advocacy, and Equity) 2023-2024.
• Member of Advisory Council RI Department of Health Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders 2021-2024.
• Chaplain of RITS (Rhode Island Training School) Youth Detention Center 2022-2024
• Piloted the first Rhode Island church site (Bethel AME Providence, RI) for the Imani Recovery Program in Rhode Island, where seven participants successfully graduated 2022-2023.
• Co-leader for BIPOC Vaccination Weekend in Rhode Island (Vaccinated over 7,000+) 2021-2022.
• Faith In Science Team Lead (2021-2022) – Partnered with Rhode Island Minister’s Alliance, United Way of Rhode Island, and Rhode Island State Agency to establish Vaccination sites and awarded a $100,000 CDC Community Catalyst Grant.
• Board president and trained facilitator of AVPRI (Alternative to Violence Project Rhode Island), a community-based organization that teaches conflict resolution 2020-2024.
• Established COVID testing and vaccination site at Bethel A.M.E. Providence (2020-2022) over 2500 vaccinated.
• Chaplin of the graduate chapter Mu Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc. 2022-2024.

Professional Experience

Rev. Howard M. Jenkins, Jr. is a retiree of General Dynamics Electric Boat, where he was employed for 31 years and accomplished various tasks in widely different job assignments that afforded him opportunities to hold leadership positions such as Supervisor of Submarine Construction, Design Manager, Manager of Engineering Programs and Special Projects, and Manager of Human Resources Diversity and Outreach.  Rev. Jenkins lives by the credence “to whom much is given, much more is required”.  

• Graduate of the Career Development Program - Two-year Operations Management Program
• Supervisor of Submarine Construction - Groton, CT
• Supervisor of Submarine Design - Groton, CT
• Manager of Design - Groton, CT
• Manager of Human Resources - SSGN Program Portsmouth, VA
• Manager of Human Resources - Quonset Point Facility Quonset Point, RI
• Manager of Engineering Programs Quonset Point Facility
• Manager of Human Resources – Management Development, Diversity, and Outreach