In 2011, at age 30, Rev. Charlie Edward Dates became the youngest Senior Pastor in Progressive’s rich 93-year history. Rev. Charlie earned a BA in Speech Communication and Rhetoric at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Master of Divinity Degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He is currently earning the PhD in Historical Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. In his first year, the Lord favored Progressive Baptist to see the addition of more than 500 new members. For the glory of God, Pastor Charlie has overseen the development of new and dynamic initiatives that are transitioning Progressive back into Kingdom impact. Pastor Charlie is married to Kirstie Dates and is the proud father of their children, Charlie Edward Dates, II and Claire Elisabeth Dates.
