Dr. Gaidi K. Burgess hails from Flint, Michigan. He received his early education from the Flint Community Schools. He subsequently attended Prairie View A&M University to pursue an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering. Although he worked briefly in the engineering profession, God changed his major. After he joined the Jordan Grove Baptist church of Houston, God called him to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies (B.S.B.S.) from the College at Southwestern (Texas Baptist College) and a Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) with a double concentration in Preaching and New Testament from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He also earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) from the School of Theology at Southwestern with an emphasis in Preaching and a minor in Pastoral Studies. His research interests include Sacred rhetoric; Christ-centered preaching; doctrinally sound, text-driven preaching that leads to culturally relevant application; and church revitalization through the medium of redemptive preaching.
In September 2005, he accepted the call to be the ninth pastor of the historic Greater Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Houston, Texas. Through his visionary leadership, Pastor Burgess is leading Greater Mount Zion to experience true revival. New ministry opportunities such as R.E.M.A.I.N. (Recognizing Each Member’s Area of Input and Needs) allow members to serve God in their area of giftedness. Dr. Burgess has a passion for youth and children. He encourages spiritual, academic, and social excellence, especially for those who historically have been marginalized and underrepresented. In 2017, Pastor Burgess led the church to relocate 8.2 miles from its previous location to purchase a church campus that includes a sanctuary, multiple classrooms, and full gymnasium. The campus is suited for ministerial expansion and community development.
In addition to pastoral ministry, Dr. Burgess serves as Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Clamp Divinity School of Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina. He teaches courses on preaching, spiritual formation, and pastoral leadership. He likewise serves as the school’s Executive Director of the Center for the Study of African American Preaching. His primary goal in the classroom is to demonstrate to his students the nexus of the academy and the church through expositional preaching and intentional pastoral care. Dr. Burgess also serves on the inaugural faculty of the historic and prestigious Hampton University School of Religion. He designs courses for the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Theology degree programs. Additionally, Dr. Burgess is the Academic Dean of Southern Reformed College & Seminary of Houston.
Dr. Burgess is married to WaWinta. They are the blessed parents of one son, Gaidi II and one daughter, Genesis. Next to his family, his greatest joy is to be used by God to spread His good news of salvation. He believes it is the efficacy and power of God’s Word that enables all of God’s people to live purpose-filled lives and to experience victory in Jesus.