CHICAGO, IL (ABNS 6/27/25)—American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago (ABCMC) is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its beloved leader, Rev. Dr. David Gregg, who died on Thursday, June 26. A devoted pastor, scholar, and advocate for inclusive ministry, Rev. Dr. Gregg served as Executive Regional Minister of ABCMC for seven years.

Deeply committed to Baptist values and multicultural engagement, he led the region through a period of both expansion and challenge. Under his leadership, ABCMC established the Prophetic Witness Committee, dedicated to the pursuit of social justice, and navigated the unprecedented difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic with pastoral care and steady guidance.

Before his appointment as Executive Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Gregg served for ten years as Minister of Congregational Life at Lake Street Church of Evanston. He also held interim pastorates at several congregations, including the Community Church of Wilmette, South Church of Mount Prospect, and North Shore Baptist Church (all ABC), as well as the United Church of Hyde Park (UCC-PC-UM).

A respected theologian and educator, he edited the most recent edition of A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice by Norman Maring and Winthrop Hudson, and trained generations of seminarians in Baptist polity.

Rev. Dr. Gregg earned his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, an M.A. in English from the University of Michigan, and both his Master of Divinity and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

We give thanks for the life and witness of Rev. Dr. David Gregg—a faithful servant, thoughtful leader, and compassionate presence in the lives of many. We hold his family, friends, and the wider ABCMC community in prayer during this time of grief.

“I experienced Rev. Dr. Gregg as a very gentle and kind person. He was deeply devoted to his region and to our denomination,” said Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA.

“Many of us were blessed to spend time with him recently at the National Leadership Council meeting and Metro Chicago’s annual region meeting. He also blessed us with his wit and wisdom in his recent presentation at the NLC meeting in late May. Let us keep his family, friends, and region in our prayers as they mourn.”

Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared by the region as they become available.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.