Bishop Theodore Jenkins, Sr. is the fourth Presiding Bishop of the Progressive Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Inc., having been installed as Presiding Bishop on December 18, 2020. He is the son of Sarah Jenkins and the late Simon Jenkins, Sr.  Bishop Jenkins graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in 1966.  He also graduated from Midlands Technical College with an Associate Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a medical assistant in the United States Army during the Vietnam Conflict.   When he was in the Army, he received ten personal medals, and three company medals and decorations.  These medals included the Vietnam Gold Cross Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, an Air Medal, and the Purple Heart Medal. 

For over 32 years, he worked in the telecommunication field as a telecommunication engineer at BellSouth and AT&T.  Bishop Jenkins received the honor of being named Who’s Who Among America’s Engineers.  He was co-owner and co-founder of J & J Photography. He is the South Carolina Chaplin of Military Order of the Purple Heart, a volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, and chairman of the Mental Health Veterans Advisory Council at WJB Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center.  He works with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a Connection Recovery Support Group facilitator and an In Our Own Voice presenter.

Since 1954, Bishop Jenkins has attended the Headquarters Church and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost in 1960.  He was the secretary of the Boys Club and as president of the District One Youth Department.  He enjoyed playing the maracas growing up in the church.  Bishop Jenkins was a member of the Junior Gospel Singers.  He sang on the Senior Choir and served as the president of the Senior Choir. 

He has assisted with the financial affairs of our churches by serving as an usher, bookkeeper, treasurer, and chairman of the national church’s auditing team. Using his technology skills, Bishop Jenkins has wired and setup phone, video, computer, and internet systems in local churches.  He has served as the church’s webmaster, videographer, photographer, sound technician, and computer technician.

Bishop Jenkins received his minister’s license in 1966.  He was later ordained as elder in 1974.  In 1977, Bishop Jenkins became the assistant pastor of the Headquarters Church and he faithfully served in that role until he was appointed pastor in 2020.  In 1987, Bishop Jenkins was assigned to pastor the Progressive Church in Lugoff, SC where he provided strong leadership and spiritual guidance.  In 2007, Bishop Jenkins was consecrated to the office of bishop. 

Bishop Jenkins has served as Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent, provided sermons on television and radio broadcast ministries, served on the PC Food Pantry Board, organized outreach programs, and worked on logistics for events and meetings.  He held an office in the Progressive Minister Association.  Bishop Jenkins has also held the following national offices:  Board of Bishops Assistant Presiding Bishop, Board of Presbytery Co-Chair, Advisory Council Co-Chair, National Brotherhood Department Advisor, and National Women’s Department Advisor.

Bishop Jenkins is married to Gail Wheeler Jenkins, who is also a life-long member of the Progressive Church and has three children:  Leah (Ronald) Scott, Theodore Jenkins, Jr., and Christopher Jenkins.  Bishop and Sister Jenkins have four grandchildren: Cameron, Austin, Preston and Jonathan Scott. As a servant leader, Bishop Jenkins gives countless hours ministering to the needs of the saints and preaching God’s Word.