The passion for proclaiming was evident in the Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates at a very early age. As a young man he exercised his gifting at school, in church, and in the community gaining distinction for his capacity as an effective orator. He preached his first sermon at age 17 and hasn’t looked back. He served in campus ministry while a college student at Illinois, as an apprentice pastor under the leadership of Reverend Dr. K. Edward Copeland at New Zion Baptist Church of Rockford, Illinois, and in pastoral ministry at Salem Baptist Church of Chicago with Pastor James Meeks.

In 2011, at the age of 30, Dr. Charlie E. Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor called to serve the historic Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago. Under his compassionate leadership, Progressive is enjoying comprehensive growth. Dr. Dates is a contributing author to Letters To A Birmingham Jail, and Say It: Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition. His first single authored book on Christianity and Social Justice is forthcoming. Additionally, Dr. Dates serves as an Affiliate Professor of the Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary; Affiliate Professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; and is called upon for conferences, summits, retreats, board memberships, and as a guest in pulpits.

Pastor Charlie is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie II and Claire.