Reel Urban News Exclusive
By Michael G. Reel
In an exclusive conversation with Reel Urban News, Rev. Dr. Donald R. Robinson offered a candid and deeply personal reflection on his first year as president of the historic Baptist Ministers Conference of Los Angeles and Southern California. Now entering his second year, Robinson spoke with the clarity, conviction, and spiritual grounding that have defined his 62 years in ministry.
“This one year in office has taught me something about leading preachers,” Dr. Robinson shared. “I learned when you lead preachers you have to lead them in a way that you won’t bruise what’s already been bruised in order to get them to follow leadership.”
From the outset, Robinson inherited challenges he described as nothing short of life‑threatening to the storied institution.
He likened the early days of his administration to “blood letting.”
“If you lose blood, you are losing life, and it seemed like to me we were losing life,” he recalled. “I asked God to give me the remedy to stop the bleeding.”
A year later, Robinson says the conference is spiritually stronger, more unified, and renewed in purpose.
“I am a Baptist preacher and all I know is church,” Robinson said with a smile. “And that’s what I wanted to bring back to our conference — church, Sunday School, inspirational singing, and powerful sermons.”
The shift has been unmistakable. What was once fractured now feels revived.
One of Robinson’s most heartfelt initiatives for 2026 centers on honoring the wives of conference pastors.
“In much prayer the Lord told me to honor the pastor’s wives,” he explained. “I want it to be their day, because we never know what the preacher’s wife goes through.”
This year’s Presidents Day gathering drew pastors, preachers, lay attendees, and prominent civic leaders from across the Southland.
Representatives from Los Angeles County law enforcement, city governments, and educational institutions brought greetings, including Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who offered remarks framed around three key points.
Redlands Mayor Mario Saucedo emphasized the importance of faith‑community partnerships, noting the impact of Pastor Robinson and the Community Missionary Baptist Church of Redlands.
“It’s very important to be supportive and to lift up those that work in the community,” Saucedo said. “Houses of worship provide our community with hope.”
After preaching to a near‑capacity crowd, Dr. Robinson sat down with Michael Reel of Reel Urban News to discuss his newly released book, A Living Testimony: From the Man They Thought They Knew.
“To a lot of people my life has been a mystery,” Robinson admitted. “I felt in these 62 years of preaching it was time for me to write a book about my life.”
Though not a household name in the mainstream, Robinson’s influence in ecumenical circles and across Black America is undeniable.
In Chapter 4 of his book, Robinson opens up about a chapter of his life he has rarely discussed publicly, his experience with the justice system.
“It was for a white‑collar crime,” he said plainly. “I went and I served some time.”
Yet even in confinement, ministry found him.
“God allowed me to be an inmate chaplain in the prison,” he reflected. “And when I was released, I was released back to the pulpit. Prison was a part of my education. I thank God He brought me from the prison to the pulpit.”
The rare Southern California rainstorm did not prevent members of Community Missionary Baptist Church of Redlands from attending Presidents Day and supporting their beloved pastor.
“That’s the church that called me when I was released from prison and left Cleveland, Ohio,” Robinson said. “I love the Community Missionary Baptist Church.”
In our final moments together, Dr. Robinson shared his hope for the year ahead.
“My hope for 2026 is that I want to see this journey through the eyes of reality. I don’t want to look at this journey through the eyes of a mirage. I want to see it the way it is, knowing God will turn it around in our favor.”
