Our Pastors

Our Former Pastors

Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell (1958 – 1967)

· Served as pastor alongside his wife Ruth from 1959, leading the congregation to establish itself as the Church of the Open Door.
· Dedicated leader who oversaw significant growth in membership and facilities.
· Championed youth development and left a lasting impact on the Miami community.
· Previously served as a missionary in Angola.

Rev. Harold David Long (1967 – 1994)

· Succeeded Rev. Dr. Henry Curtis McDowell as pastor in 1967.
· Led the Church of the Open Door with compassion and innovation for 26 years.
· Actively involved in both church and community initiatives throughout his career.
· Honored for his service with awards like "Man of the Year" by the Frontiersmen of America and the Kings Clubs of Greater Miami.

Rev. Dr. James E. Fouther, Jr. (1994 – 2001)

· Led the Church of the Open Door as Senior Pastor from 1994 to 2001, overseeing a period of growth and development.·
Earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Eden Theological Seminary while serving the Church of the Open Door, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning and leadership development.
· A distinguished academic, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University and a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary.

Rev. Dr. R. Joaquin Willis (2002 – 2017)

Rev. Adrian Mclean (2018 – 2021)

· Rev. Adrian McLean became Interim Minister of Church of the Open Door (United Church of Christ) in January 2018.
· Previously served at St Martin United Church of Christ (St. Louis) for 16 years.
· 33-year veteran ordained by the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
· Holds degrees from Mico University College, United Theological College, University of the West Indies, and more.

Leader, Author, Activist

Reverend Elvin J. Dowling is a passionate leader dedicated to uplifting his community and empowering future generations.
· Licensed to preach since the age of 16, Reverend Dowling has a strong foundation in faith and service.
· A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, he understands the challenges facing many communities and has dedicated his life to making a positive impact.

Championing Youth.

· Successfully secured two $1 million grants from President Obama’s “My Brother’s Keeper Initiative” to mentor 2,200 at-risk youth.

· Former Chairman of the Board for the Palm Beach Harvest Food Bank, providing over 50 million pounds of food to help fight food security for families in South Florida.

Commitment and Recognition.

· Distinguished Alumni Award (Education Foundation of Palm Beach County)

·Ebony Magazine’s “Thirty Leaders of the Future” Award

Family Man.

Reverend Dowling is a proud husband to Yadira and father to their three children, Josiah, Joshua, and Eden.

A Life of Service.

Reverend Dowling's unwavering commitment to his faith, community, and youth development makes him a true leader and role model.

Author and Motivational Speaker.

· Author of the acclaimed book, “License to Live,” inspiring individuals to overcome their past and embrace change.
· Second book, "Still Invisible? Examining America's Black Male Crisis," became an Amazon Bestseller, won The Florida Book Award and was nominated for prestigious awards, including the coveted Pulitzer Prize.