Pastor of First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix retires

Pastor Warren Stewart, Sr., is retiring as the senior past of First Institutional Baptist Church in Phoenix. Pastor Stewart is the longest-serving senior pastor in the history of a church that says it is the oldest African American Baptist church in Phoenix.

The iconic Arizona pastor helped win a contentious battle for the state to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a holiday. He has served for more than 50 years.

Pastor Stewart joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss his career and now retirement.

“I’ve been about Jesus and justice for all of my ministry. I’m in actually my 56th year of being a clergy person, but 48 years. And I’ve been about Jesus and justice all that time,” Stewart said.

He shared how he came about the decision to retire.

“My wife and I were on a mission trip in Africa in November of 2023, and the Lord kind of spoke to me said, it’s OK. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone else, you can retire,” Stewart said.

Pastor Stewart reflect on his efforts to help Arizona recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a state paid holiday.

“Well it stands out because, because we were able to educate, enlighten, inspire the state that Martin Luther King Jr. was just as important to this nation and what it stands for as George Washington was in the 18th century. As Abraham Lincoln was in the 19th century. Martin Luther King called this nation to practice what it preaches when it comes justice and equality for all,” Stewart said.

During his retirement, Pastor Stewart said that among his first plans is to “rest, R-E-S-T”. After that, he shared some of his plans for the future.

“I want to mentor, I want to pour into other persons lives about servant leadership. I want to do more of out work in Africa and India,” Stewart said.