“The Praying Preacher” Celebrates 50

Cyril G. Guerra Jr., and his wife Joycine

In 1999, Cyril G. Guerra, Jr. answered the call to the gospel ministry and never looked back.  He served as the Executive Minister at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Pompano Beach, Florida for 6 and a half years (2015-2021).  Prior to that, for 10 years (2005-2015), Guerra served as Youth Pastor of the newly-formed youth church, affectionately dubbed “The Training Ground”.

With more than 20 years of experience in Human Services and Human Resources, Guerra has helped promote leadership skills in children as Executive Director of the Irving Fryar Foundation. He has also served as the Director of Global Workforce and Training Specialists—a welfare-to-work training program, Director of Operations at Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, and Human Resources Director at ProMedica Senior Care, one of the nation’s largest long-term care providers.  In addition, Guerra currently works as Human Resources Director at the Law Office of the Public Defender, 17th Judicial Circuit (Broward County, FL).

Guerra has served as the Campus Advisor for First Priority at Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach, and he also started Rebirth Clothing, a clothing company whose goal is to offer comfortable clothing that transforms consumer minds through its Christian-based apparel.  In 2007, Black Entertainment Tele-vision partnered with Rebirth Clothing, and on-air personality Bro. Gerard (Lift Every Voice) could be seen wearing Rebirth Clothing.  Also in 2007, Lamman Rucker of OWN Network’s television series “Greenleaf” wore a Rebirth Clothing t-shirt, while being interviewed by Gospel Music legend, Bobby Jones.   In 2011, Guerra began teaching during the Florida East Coast Baptist Associations’ Congress of Christian Education.  From 2012 to 2015, Guerra served as the Youth Pastor for the Florida East Coast Baptist Association.

A budding author, Guerra enjoys writing spirit-filled stories that speak to adolescents. In 2001, his first short story, “Matthias” was featured in Pot Likker Stories for Teachers and Learners.  He has also completed a collection of short stories and poetry entitled “Iced Out!” and is actively pursuing publishing opportunities for the work.

Guerra earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts and is currently pursuing the Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University.  Min. Guerra is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and has served as the State Chaplain for the Florida Statewide Organization (2015-2018).  He also served as the District Chaplain for the Seventh District of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, which includes the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi (2018-2020), and currently serves as Chaplain of the Eta Nu chapter, in Pompano Beach, FL.  It was during his service to the fraternity, that he gained the name “That Praying Preacher”!

In 2021, Guerra was recognized as “Mr. May” in the Broward County Project 12 calendar and resource guide. In April 2021, Guerra was also selected as one of Legacy Magazine’s Black Professional South Florida Influencers.  Most recently, Guerra has launched a new podcast entitled “The Triflin’ Ones”, which provides brief, weekly spiritual messages to those who are the disenfranchised, the forgotten, and the ignored.

Guerra is the youngest of 6 children and is originally from Boston, Massachusetts.  He currently resides in Oakland Park, Florida with his wife of 24 years, Joycine, and has two children, Ashley and Jordan, along with 3 grandchildren.

 

About Carma Henry 24634 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*