October 23, 2024
FAIRFIELD, Calif. (BP) – Longtime Southern Baptist leader Jeffrey Curtis, who served the past seven years as discipleship director at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, died unexpectedly July 21 at his home in Fairfield, his son Courtney Curtis told Baptist Press. He was 59.
Charles Grant, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee director of African American relations and mobilization, remembered Curtis as a close friend and mentor who influenced many,
“He was a gracious, thoughtful and intentional role model that influenced and elevated my professional career and ministry in the area of facilitating and training church leaders,” Grant told Baptist Press. “He had a strong conviction about not simply lecturing or preaching during training workshops, but providing teaching activities that facilitated discussion, involvement and application. That impacted me deeply.
“I continue to do presentations by way of his example. He is a great friend and teacher who blessed many churches to advance the Kingdom of God,” Grant said. “His services to churches and the Southern Baptist Convention will be greatly missed. I know all pastors, leaders and entities who benefited from his work will join me in thanking the Lord for the gift of Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Curtis.”
Curtis was a church planter, an African American church-planting team leader with the California Southern Baptist Convention and a former adjunct professor of Christian education for Gateway Seminary. During his time as a Black church consultant at Lifeway Christian Resources, Curtis assisted many churches in discipleship and leadership development.
As Mt. Calvary’s discipleship director, Curtis was director and professor of the North Bay Church Leadership Development Center, a school that met at the church and partnered with Gateway Seminary.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Discipleship Division Director, brother, and friend, Dr. Jeffrey Curtis,” Mt. Calvary posted on its Facebook page. “We are praying for his loving and devoted wife, Tina, along with his entire family and host of friends throughout the state and country. We are also praying for the Mount Calvary family, especially the Discipleship Division that Dr. Curtis happily served.”
Funeral services are set for Aug. 3 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, beginning with a 10 a.m. viewing followed by an 11 a.m. service.
Curtis is survived by four children and his widow, Tina Dawkins-Curtis.
