Rev. Dr. Keith W. Byrd Sr.
Rev. Dr. Keith William Byrd Sr., is the gifted, energetic, and anointed Pastor of the historic Zion Baptist Church in Northwest, Washington D.C. He was called as the church’s ninth pastor in its 159-year history. Rev. Byrd first accepted the call to preach in 1997 and was both licensed and ordained at the First Baptist Church, Inc. of North Brentwood, Maryland under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Perry A. Smith, III.
Rev. Byrd is a gifted preacher, teacher, leader, mentor and community activist. With God’s guidance and Dr. Byrd’s visionary leadership, Zion desires to be a family church, empowered by the love of Christ, to serve the family of God. With this vision in mind, Dr. Byrd has overseen several church renovations at Zion, including extensive technology enhancements and a renovation of the Church’s sanctuary. Dr. Byrd was blessed to lead Zion through a five-year Strategic Plan for Ministry. This Strategic Plan helps guide Zion in the areas of Christian Education, Leadership, Evangelism, Disciple Engagement, Diaconate Effectiveness, and Facility and Technology Enhancements. The strategic plan culminated in a merger with the former New Creation Baptist Church in Silver Spring, MD and as a result, Zion is one church in two locations (Washington, DC and Silver Spring, MD).
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Byrd led Zion using the church’s new technology enhancements. Though the doors were closed, Zion remained open and effective due in large part to Dr. Byrd’s visionary leadership. As a result, Zion now has a large online presence.
Dr. Byrd is a passionate and prophetic preacher who takes social and political issues head on. On June 5, 2020, he participated in painting “Black Lives Matter” in bold yellow letters on 16th Street, now known as “Black Lives Matter Plaza.” This initiative, as directed by Mayor Muriel Bowser, bore out of the protest of the senseless police brutality committed regularly against people of color. On August 28, 2020, Dr. Byrd addressed the nation with a message at the “Get Your Knee Off Our Necks!” Commitment March sponsored by the National Action Network in Washington, DC. He has participated in several protest marches around the City of Washington, D.C.
Dr. Byrd’s current denominational leadership includes:
- First Vice-President of the Progressive National Baptist Convention
- President of the Baptist Convention of DC and Vicinity
- Member of the D.C. Baptist Convention
- Member of the Missionary Baptist Minister’s Conference of DC and Vicinity and
- Member of the Carter Baron Cluster of Churches
A native of Washington, D.C., Dr. Byrd received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland at College Park, a Master of Divinity Degree from the Howard University School of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Church Leadership from the Wesley Theological Seminary. He is also a member of the Morehouse College Board of Preachers.
Dr. Byrd is an avid Commander’s fan, Bid Whist player and family man. He is supported in ministry by his wife, Kimberly Byrd whose passion, zeal and creativity for God are tremendous assets to his ministry and to the body of Christ. Together, they have two adult sons.