IMA History

Established in 1982 by the Rev. Avant, the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church of Dover, the IMA has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local benevolent purposes, sponsored the first city-wide crusade in Dover, which include approximately fifteen churches of different denominations and races. The organization also holds an annual Agape Awards Banquet, in which local people are honored for their faithful church service.

The IMA is a Central Delaware organization of pastors, ministers and evangelists that hold joints worship services during Thanksgiving and the Lenten season. The money collected from those services is used to help people in need in the Kent County community as well as support other non-profit organizations such as the House of Pride, Moms’ House, Faith Elementary School and others.

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April 15, 2000

The first Agape Award Banquet was held at the Modern Maturity Center as it honored an outstanding community person from each IMA participating church.  This year a new level was reached. The IMA sponsored a  Radio-thon that raised approximately $42,000 for Faith Elementary and Middle School.  The Lenten Services were at an all-time high, both in attendance and financially.

March 17, 2001

The Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Dover and Vicinity is the longest ministerium up and running at this time.  It is open to all races and denominations.  The IMA name is established by name throughout all of Delaware, especially in Dover.  The City Council, the Legislative Council, the Social Service Agencies, the Educational Institutions, the Labor Unions, the Law Enforcement Agencies, the Lodges, the Fraternities and Sororities, the Prison System, the Court System, even the plain citizen on the street know of, or have heard of, or have been helped by the efforts of the IMA.

The second Agape Award Banquet was to honor those in the community and government.  The honorees included The Honorable James Hutchison, Mayor City of Dover; John W. Pitts, Councilman City of Dover; Reuben R. Salters, Councilman of Dover; Keith I. Faulkner, Chief of Police, Ret. City of Dover; Donald A. Blakey, President of Kent County Levy Court and Harold Stafford, Secretary of Labor State of Delaware.

March 20, 2004

Those representing the IMA, have come together in the community to do something about the moral conditions, educational system, living conditions and spiritual well-being.  Our community is a better more peaceful place to live because of our working together.  The IMA is respected and is called upon by the city government whenever racial tension and community disturbances arise.  Persons in need come to us when they can’t get help anywhere else.

November 2010

The Rev. Michael B. Rogers, pastor of Central Baptist Church of Dover, has been elected as president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Dover and Vicinity. Rogers, who has been a past second vice president and secretary of the IMA, succeeds the Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, the organization’s founder who stepped down this year after serving as president since its inception.

November 2018, The Rev. Theodore Henderson, was elected and installed as the IMA President.  His cabinet included: Elder Bobbie Alston, 1st Vice President; Bishop Dr. Doreina C. Miles, Dean; Brother Herbert Byers, Secretary; Rev. Leandra Marshall, Assistant Secretary; Deaconess Star Harden, Treasurer/Financial Secretary; Rev. Fred Brunson, Chaplain; Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, President Emeritus

Executive Board Members

2000 Officers: Rev. Dr. Richard Avant, President; Rev. Rudolph W. Coleman, 1st Vice Chairperson; Rev. Joe L. Poe, 2nd Vice Chairperson; Bishop L.T. Blackshear, Dean; Rev. Michael Rogers, Secretary; Elder Anthony Wallace, Treasurer

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2003 Officers: Rev. Dr. Richard Avant, President; Bishop Doreina Miles, 1st Vice Chairperson; Rev. Joe L. Poe, 2nd Vice Chairperson; Bishop L.T. Blackshear, Dean; Rev. Michael Rogers, Secretary; Elder Anthony Wallace, Treasurer.

2004 Officers: Rev. Dr. Richard Avant, President; Bishop Doreina Miles, 1st Vice Chairperson; Rev. Fred Brunson, 2nd Vice Chairperson; Bishop L.T. Blackshear, Dean; Rev. Michael Rogers, Secretary; Elder Anthony Wallace, Treasurer.

2007 Officers: Rev. Dr. Richard Avant, President; Bishop Doreina Miles, 1st Vice Chairperson; Rev. Fred Brunson, 2nd Vice Chairperson; Bishop L.T. Blackshear, Dean; Rev. Michael Rogers, Secretary; Rev. Frances T. Rogers; Elder Anthony Wallace, Treasurer; Rev. Mary Smith, Financial Secretary; Rev. Charles Dennis, Chaplain.

2008 Officers: Rev. Dr. Richard Avant, President; Bishop Doreina Miles, 1st Vice Chairperson; Rev. Fred Brunson, 2nd Vice Chairperson; Bishop L.T. Blackshear, Dean; Rev. Michael Rogers, Secretary; Rev. Frances T. Rogers; Pastor Anthony Wallace, Treasurer; Rev. Mary Smith, Financial Secretary; Rev. Charles Dennis, Chaplain.

April 4, 2009 – March 6, 2010

Officers: Rev. Dr. Richard Avant, President; Rev. Fred Brunson, 1st Vice President; Rev. Michael Rogers, 2nd Vice President; Bishop Doriena Miles, Dean; Rev. Frances T. Rogers, Secretary; Rev. Carla Benson-Greene, Assistant Secretary; Rev. Yvonne Brunson, Treasurer; Rev. Mary Smith, Financial Secretary; Rev. Charles Dennis, Chaplain.

November 2010 Officers: Rev. Michael Rogers are: Rev. Fred Brunson, 1st Vice President; Rev. Frances Benson, 2nd Vice President; Bishop Doreina C. Miles, Dean; Elder Bobbie Alston, Secretary; Rev. Carla Benson-Greene, Assistant Secretary; Rev. Mary E. Smith, Treasurer; Rev. Regina Bell, Financial Secretary; Rev. Charles Dennis, Chaplain; Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, President Emeritus

2015 Officers: Rev. Michael Rogers, President; Rev. Fred Brunson, 1st Vice President; Rev. Frances Benson, 2nd Vice President; Bishop Doreina C. Miles, Dean; Elder Bobbie Alston, Secretary; Evangelist Denise Stokes, Assistant Secretary; Rev. Mary E. Smith, Treasurer; Deaconess Star Harden, Financial Secretary; Rev. Jean Sudler, Chaplain; Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, President Emeritus

2018 Officers: Rev. Theodore Henderson, President; Elder Bobbie Alston, 1st Vice President; Bishop Dr. Doreina C. Miles, Dean; Brother Herbert Byers, Secretary; Rev. Leandra Marshall, Assistant Secretary; Deaconess Star Harden, Treasurer/Financial Secretary; Rev. Fred Brunson, Chaplain; Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, President Emeritus

2020 Officers: Rev. Theodore Henderson, President; Elder Bobbie Alston, 1st Vice President; Bishop W. James Thomas, 2nd Vice President; Bishop Dr. Doreina C. Miles, Dean; Brother Herbert Byers, Secretary; Rev. Leandra Marshall, Assistant Secretary; Deaconess Star Harden, Treasurer/Financial Secretary; Rev. Fred Brunson, Chaplain; Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, President Emeritus