His life is a constant leap of faith across pulpits, platforms, and pavement as he endeavors to transform present-day realities into tomorrow’s opportunities.   He was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi and reared in Rock Island, Illinois. 

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Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and successfully completed a six-year military career which included Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm service tours. He earned various awards and was listed in the top ten percent of enlisted Marines. Reverend Ford holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University, with a concentration in Business Management and Leadership. He also holds the Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.  

 

His research was centered on the Greek New Testament, Public Theology of the Civil Rights Era (1954 – 1968), Community Economic Development, and the agency of the African American Church.   Reverend Ford is an ordained Baptist minister of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., and has served in pastoral ministry for over 25 years.  He is the author of "Never Easy...Always Necessary: Rediscovering the Ministry of Jesus Christ in an Era of Crisis and Complacency (2011). He is the founder and pastor of Grace City Church in Rock Island, Illinois.  

 

When Pastor Ford is not in his regular role in the pulpit of Grace City, he can be found traveling throughout the United States and abroad as a minister of the Gospel and public speaker to churches, colleges, and community organizations.  Locally, He is a member of the Quad Cities Cohort of Forward Cities; a national learning network of cities committed to advancing inclusive innovation and economic development in their communities.  He serves on the steering committee of Quad Cities Regional Vision (Q2030) and was the 2017 Quad Citizen of the Year.  Rev. Ford provides professional services of consultation for public schools and community partnerships, strategic planning and implementation strategy, church and community projects.   He resides in Davenport, Iowa with his wife, Dr. Kit Evans-Ford and their children; Imani and Justice.