M. William Howard, Jr.

The Reverend M. William Howard, Jr., D.Div., is an American Christian minister (American Baptist Churches, USA), former college president, and community and business leader. He is known for his involvement in international affairs, especially within the Middle East and Southern Africa. He was pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey until December 31, 2015.

M. William Howard, Jr.

Howard is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, holds an elected position on the board of directors of New Jersey Resources, and was Chair of the Rutgers University Board of Governors until 2010. Howard has been pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Newark from 2000 to 2015, and from 1992 to 2000 served as president of New York Theological Seminary, and as president of the National Council of Churches from 1979 to 1981. From 1976 to 1978, he was Moderator of the Programme to Combat Racism, the World Council of Churches. He additionally served as a trustee of the National Urban League from 1981 to 1988 and of the Children's Defense Fund, 1980 to 1985.

Howard was ordained in 1974. He earned a master's degree in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1972 and graduated from Morehouse College in 1968. He additionally holds many honorary degrees, keys to cities, et al.

Howard conducted Christmas services for the U.S. Embassy personnel held hostage in Tehran, Iran. Additionally, he headed an ecumenical delegation including Rev. Jesse Jackson and numerous other ministers to obtain the release of U.S. Navy pilot, Lt. Robert Goodman, who was being held as a prisoner of war in Syria. In 2007, he chaired the New Jersey Death Penalty Study Commission, which led to the abolition of the death penalty in that State.

Howard married Barbara J. Wright in 1970. They are the parents of three adult children.

• Toussaint L'Ouverture Freedom Award, Haitian Community, 1980
• Distinguished Alumnus Award, Princeton Theological Seminary, 1982
• New Jersey Citizen Action Award "International Human Rights Activist", 1985
• Outstanding Achievement Award, New York City, NAACP, 1993
• The Bennie Award for Achievement, from Morehouse College, 2008