Florida East Coast Baptist Association

The Moderator, The Pastor,
The Man, A Profile of
Dr. C. P. Preston, Jr.

Rev. Dr. C. P. Preston, Jr. was born on August 19th to the late Rev. C. P. Preston, Sr. and Mrs. Teaster B. Preston. Dr. Preston was nurtured by his parents and guided by the Holy Spirit from an early age. As a young man, Dr. Preston worked in various areas of the church, always finding time to encourage others around him. This compassion and love for the people of God is very present today. Dr. Preston was heralded as an outstanding football player while in high school. Though not on the gridiron, he is still considered as God’s number one quarterback. He relentlessly preaches and teaches the word of God not only to his members but also to the community, state and nation.

During this time, Dr. Preston graduated from Carol City Senior High School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Florida Memorial University, Miami, Florida. It was during this time that he was listed in the National Social Register of Prominent College Students and Graduates. Dr. Preston Also commenced his career as a classroom teacher with Dade County Public Schools, which lasted for 11 years.

Dr. Preston met and married the lovely, Sis. Robyn M. Washington. They have three children, Terrell, Clinton and Carla. Additionally, they have eight grandchildren. Dr. Preston is certainly a family man who cherishes his wife, mother, children and extended family.

On Wednesday, June 18, 1986 Bro. C. P. Preston, Jr. was called as the sixth pastor of Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Brother Preston was ordained to the Gospel Ministry on Sunday, July 18, 1986. Rev. Henry L. Smith, President, Congress of Christian Education of the Florida East Coast Baptist Association, Inc. and Pastor of the St. Paul Baptist Church, Homestead, Florida delivered the Ordination Sermon, “Stick to the Script”, Rev. Billy Baskin, Pastor of New Way Baptist Church, Opa Locka, Florida, Charged the Church and Rev. Arthur Jackson, Jr., President of the Ministers’ and Deacons’ Union and Pastor of the New Shiloh Baptist Church, charged Rev. C. P. Preston, Jr., the pastor.

In February 1995, at the Annual Session of the Florida East Coast Baptist Association, Inc. Rev. Dr. Preston was elected President of the Ministers’ and Deacons’ Union- Southern Division.

In 1997, he was elected as the 4th Vice-President of the Florida General Baptist State Convention. This visionary leader was elected 3rd Vice-President and presented the Presidential Award at the 124th Florida General Baptist State Convention held in Tampa, Florida in April 1999. Peaceful Zion members boarded 8 charter buses and journeyed in more than 45 cars to support and congratulate Pastor Preston as he delivered the Annual Educational Sermon.

Under the leadership of Dr. Preston, the church continues to grow. Twenty-eight men were ordained for the office of Deacon. It became apparent that a new edifice was needed to accommodate the rapidly growing congregation. In February 1991, the old edifice was demolished. Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist Church held their worship services at the Poinciana Park Elementary School, while construction of the new site began. In November 1994, the members marched into a new 900 capacity edifice, appraised at $1.4 million.

Rev. Dr. Preston Jr.’s vision led to the acquisition of other properties surrounding the present edifice. It further extended to the implementation of a computerized financial data base system, installation of the church’s marquee and the purchase of two 15-passenger vans.

In addition to his work as pastor, Dr. Preston is a recognized leader throughout the State of Florida. He served as President of the Laymen’s Department of the Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association, Inc.

In April 2002, Dr. Preston was elected as 2nd Vice-President of the Florida General Baptist State Convention. He was elevated to the position of 1st Vice-President of the Florida General Baptist State Convention in September 2002.

On February 13, 2003, Dr. Preston was elected as Moderator of the 2nd largest Baptist Association in the country, The Florida East Coast Missionary Baptist Association, Inc. & Auxiliaries. This awesome responsibility is comprised of over 130 churches.

Dr. Preston encourages his members to study to show themselves to be approved, unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth. To this end, he obtained his Masters of Science Degree in Education with Certification in Administration and Supervision from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Spiritually, Dr. Preston added Honorary Doctorate Degree to his listing of many accomplishments. In May 1989 he graduated from North Florida Theological Seminary College with a Masters Degree in Theology. In May 2004, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Smith Chapel Bible College. Trinity Theological Seminary of South Florida also conferred a Doctorate Degree upon Pastor Preston in 2005.

Organizations, Dr. Preston is one of the charter founders of the Florida Consortium of Black Faith-Based Organization, Inc. He also serves as a board member of the School Improvement Zone Advisory Board for Dade County Public Schools.

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women of South Florida honored Dr. Preston on April 28, 2001 in recognition of exemplary performance in the field of Religion.

In 2006, he was honored at a luncheon and presented with the outstanding Religious Leader award by the J.U.G.G. Organization.

In March 2006 Dr. Preston ordained 24 additional brethren to the Deacon’s Board. Also eight more brethren were added during the next year. Seven brethren were licensed to preach the gospel.

Throughout his tenure, Pastor Preston organized or reactivated several auxiliaries and ministries:

Prison Ministry
Preston Special Chorus
Drama Ministry
Youth Choir
Transportation Ministry
Mass Choir
Social Service Ministry
Music Department
Hospitality Committee
Board of Christian Ed.
Addiction/HIV Ministry
Business & Professional Women
Sports Ministry
Young People Department Flower Club
Church Newsletter
Usher Board #3
Willing Workers
Mass Usher Board
PZ Human Services, Inc.
Liturgical Praise Dancers
Helping Hands Ministry
Bereavement Ministry
Thrift Store Ministry
Reading & Tutorial Ministry
Political Action Comm.
Evangelism Ministry
Food Bank Ministry
Young Adult Choir
Youth Adult Usher Board
Marriage Couples Ministry
Parking Lot Ministry

Peaceful Zion Missionary Baptist continues to be a church that reaches the people with a Radio Ministry every Thursday and a Television Ministry that can be viewed on Tuesday Morning (PAX Station.)

Dr. Preston, with the help of God has taken the torch from his father, Dr. C. P. Preston, Sr., and continues to elevate Peaceful Zion to be one of the most highly respected churches not only in South Florida but throughout the Country.

Peaceful Zion continues to be a pillar of strength for the community proving food from our Food Bank and clothing from our Thrift Shop. At holiday season the community is fed with a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner and over 100 turkeys and baskets are given to needy families. Summer Camp as well as Vacation Bible School is available to our youth.

On February 5, 2008 a Resolution was presented urging the Florida Legislature to designate that portion of State Road 934 on N.W. 79th Street between N.W. 7th Avenue and N.W. 37th Avenue as “Rev. Dr. C.P. Preston, Jr. Street.” This Resolution was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners and passed with a 5-0 vote.

Dr. Preston was once again honored for outstanding community work and involvement with a special recognition by the Board of County Commissioners in July 2009, designating July 28, 2009 as “Rev. Dr. C.P. Preston, Jr. Day.”

Giving of his time, energy and love is paramount for Dr. Preston. He lives a life of service which says, “I present my body a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God which is my reasonable service” (Romans 12:1), knowing that “...all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28. Dr. Preston has championed the cause of Christ. He is a “one of a kind” Pastor/Moderator who is prayerful, purposeful and powerful. A man who has been called and equipped by God to lead His people for such a time as this.