Leadership matters in Detroit’s faith community because churches keep showing up when budgets fall short, when families need food, when violence interrupts a block, when schools need partners, when the city needs moral clarity rooted in action. A change at the top of a major pastors’ council carries weight because the people watching are not only clergy. Residents pay attention too.
The Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity, Inc. announced Pastor Orville K. Littlejohn as its president-elect, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Littlejohn will succeed Pastor Richard White III, who has led the Council for the past three years.
Littlejohn currently serves as First Vice President during White’s tenure. The Council described its ongoing work as developing, nurturing, training, networking, and educating in areas tied to social justice and spiritual support for pastors, ministers, and the broader community.
The nomination process ended with Littlejohn selected without opposition. The announcement notes that the body recognized him as a leader expected to continue advancing the Council’s mission.
Littlejohn leads Messiah Baptist Church in Detroit. His current service extends across several roles and institutions. He serves as Moderator of the Michigan District Baptist Association. He holds the role of Vice-President at Large of the Baptist Missionary Educational Convention of Michigan. He also serves as a board member of the Heritage Center for Religious Studies. The release further notes his service as chaplain for the Detroit Police Department’s 12th Precinct.
The formal transition will take place later in the month. White is scheduled to pass the gavel to Littlejohn at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at Messiah Baptist Church, 8100 W. Seven Mile Road in Detroit.
Detroit’s Black church ecosystem carries a public responsibility that reaches past Sunday mornings. Pastors often serve as first responders for grief, conflict, and crisis, while also acting as conveners who can bring together residents, advocates, elected leaders, and agencies. That role becomes even more visible during moments that demand organized response and sustained care.
Littlejohn’s slate of leadership posts signals a profile shaped by both ministry and institutional governance. The Council’s description of its work points to a continued focus on training and education alongside community-facing social justice engagement.
The Jan. 25 gavel-passing will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the organization and a new leadership season for how Detroit-area Baptist clergy choose to coordinate, advocate, and serve.
