Darryl Person ’85 named Pastor of Chicago’s Ebenezer Baptist Church Chicago’s historic Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church is pleased to announce the election of the Rev. Darryl N. Person ’85 as its ninth pastor. The 116-year-old church is located at 4501 S. Vincennes Ave., in Chicago’s Bronzeville community. Person, whose family has maintained membership at Ebenezer for five generations, preached his inaugural sermon on Sunday, March 3. Prior to assuming the pastorate at Ebenezer, Person, 55, served as the Assistant Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church, where he focused on the needs of youth and young adults.
Jason Dirden ’02 lights up ’American Soul’ Tuesdays on BET Jason Dirden is on fire. With a preternatural cool, he lights up nearly every scene he’s in in BET’s smash hit “American Soul.” An accomplished actor of stage and screen, Dirden has garnered attention for his starring role as Gerald Aims. Dirden’s performance in the series has garnered serious attention and rave reviews, which by now should be no surprise. The Houston native has turned heads as a fan favorite in his role as Basie Skanks on OWN’s “Greenleaf,” and is enjoying similar success with ’American Soul’. Tune in and set your DVR for Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EST to watch Jason on BET’s “American Soul,” which tells the story of Don Cornelius making Soul Train a household name and a roaring success.
Person is also a decorated member of the U.S. Navy for 20 years, where he served as a Navy Chaplain rising to the rank Lieutenant Commander before retiring in 2009. During his tour of duty, he managed the delivery of pastoral care for some 2,300 military personnel aboard three Navy warships. His commendations include the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Medal, NATO Service Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon Person holds master’s degrees from Emory University Candler School Theology, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, Governors State University, and Roosevelt University. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the International Council of Community Churches. WE ARE MOREHOUSE MAGAZINE / JUNE 2019 26
