Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Bailey Jr.
Robert, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am just a RADICAL MAN with a MIC and a MESSAGE about a MASTER who works MIRACLES. I believe that God has purposed me to be a SERVANT to SERVANTS, so I utilizes my gifts, talents, skills, and abilities to serve others as they serve God. I minister with the motto in mind that: I’M NOT SENT TO RECYCLE SAINTS, BUT I’M SENT TO RESTORE SOULS.
Labeled as “THE MIRACLE BABY”, I am the 1st of 3 children born to Robert Bailey, Sr. and Shirley Bailey, who was told they couldn’t have children. And since my youth, I’ve always been specially gifted to preach, sing, act, lead, and direct choirs. In 1999, I moved to Houston from Dallas and started establishing myself as a preacher and later a husband and father. I am HAPPILY and WHOLEHEARTEDLY married to an amazing woman of 16 years (since Feb. 1, 2003), name Zahra` Rochelle Bailey and out of our union, the promise prophesied over us brought forth an amazing daughter, who was birthed on Feb. 28, 2017 name Zaila Rainn Bailey.
I’ve been afforded the opportunity to preach for over 40 years, since the age of 3 (licensed on Sept. 30, 1979 and ordained Feb. 2, 2003) and have been pastoring for 11 years, since Feb. 3, 2008. I founded a ministry named Restoration of Praise Fellowship, but in June of 2016, I was commissioned by God and asked by Dr. Claude E. Jenkins, Sr. to merge my ministry with the Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. After a successful merger, I became the Senior Pastor and changed the name of the church to Greater New Hope Church, better known as The PraiseDome Nation. I am a very charismatic and energetic leader and preacher and have built a reputation around the world as an “unorthodox and inspiring” speaker, preacher, and singer.
I am a certified Christian counselor and have studied in various seminaries in Dallas, TX and in Houston, TX. I received my Masters and Bachelors of Divinity Degrees from Independent Bible College in Dallas, TX and received my Doctorate of Divinity Degree from St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, FL in April of 2018.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has NOT been a smooth road. There has been a lot of challenges, personally, emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. One of the biggest struggles I’ve had to deal with in all of those areas is ME BEING DIFFERENT and ACCEPTING and EMBRACING IT. Sometimes, I want to feel normal or common but I realize that I’m different from most and operate differently. It’s not always comfortable, but in the words of Paul the Apostle, “I’ve learned how to be content in whatever state I’m in”. I’ve had to struggle with getting past other people’s perspective of me so I can see my own purpose and power. I’ve literally had to FIGHT ME TO FIND ME which was and has been one of the hardest fights of my life.
I’ve struggled with TRUST ISSUES, but have learned to open my heart to people and things more in order to have a better view and vision. I’ve struggled pastorally because the models I’ve had to follow or look to did not prepare me enough to what I would have to face during my tenure. However, I did use what I saw and knew to push my potential and fuel my fire to become a better preacher and pastor. And please don’t get me wrong, even though I was not prepared to Pastor, I was given the opportunity to be governed and guided by some great voices who have helped me along the way: my dad, the Late Rev. Robert L. Bailey Sr., my cousin, the Late Rev. Homer D. Reagan, my father in ministry, Pastor Darryl W. Broussard, my Legendary father figure, the Late Dr. Claude E. Jenkins, Sr., my mentor, Bishop Larry D. Leonard, Sr., and my current pastor and covering, Pastor Christopher F. Hartwell. I WAS AND AM TRULY BLESSED BY THESE VOICES AND VESSELS.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Greater New Hope Church – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Greater New Hope Church “The PraiseDome” is my heart. It is a culture that God brought to pass through me out of a personal cry out to Him for RESTORATION. I asked God that if I was to ever pastor His people, to “BRING ME THE REJECTS”. I wanted all of the people that have been hurt, broken, rejected, cast down, put away, overlooked, and ostracized. I asked for them and God told me that The PraiseDome would be a “PLACE OF HELP, HOPE, AND HEALING”. In all honesty, The PraiseDome Nation, other than my wife and child, has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life. I’m afforded the opportunity to preach to and pastor some great people that are NOT ashamed to express their love for God and for me and my family.
The PraiseDome Nation is known for our RADICAL SOUND and our RELEVANCE SCRIPTURALLY. One of our biggest assets besides the Word of God is our music department. Our choir has sang with some great artists such as: J. Moss, Lawrence Flowers, Zacardi Cortez, Kefia Rollerson, Gary Mayes, Shawn Mclemore and many more. The choir has recorded a few songs, sang the National Anthem for the Houston Rockets, sang God Bless America for the Sugarland Skeeters, was featured of the Word Network with Dorinda Clark Cole in Detroit, MI and recorded Live with Alexis Spight featuring Kierra “KiKi” Sheard, the Clark Sisters, Amber Bullock, and Mali Music. These are a few accomplishments and we are looking for God to keep adding to our ministry through their sound.
I BELIEVE OUR SOUND, SPIRIT FILLED SERVICES, AND ENERGETIC APPRECIATION FOR GOD SET US APART!!! PERIOD!!!
I, as a preacher, have been afforded opportunities to preach all over the world for various churches and services. I’ve been given the opportunity to stand where some of the greats have been and also where people wouldn’t dare to go. Preaching is my PASSION and loving God’s people helps me push that passion. I believe my preaching style and view contextually is a tool that sets us apart as a church.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I have a lot of plans for the future. One of them is to build a facility that will not only employ parishioners of the PraiseDome with skills and abilities to do various things but to enhance the community with opportunities and services that will better life and livelihood.
Contact Info:
- Address: 10505 Bainbridge St
Houston, TX 77016 - Website: www.
greaternewhopechurch.org - Phone: 713-631-3631
- Email: pastor@
restorationofpraise.org - Instagram: www.instagram.com/
greaternewhopechurch - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
greaternewhopechurch - Twitter: www.twitter.com/ROPF2
Image Credit:
Lensical Genius Photography – Dominique Howard
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