Rev. Dr. William H. Foster, Jr. is the Senior Pastor of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church located on the South Side of Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from Montana State University in Billings, Montana and his MBA degree from the University of Chicago. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Religion from the Trinity Evangelical Divinity Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois, and a Doctorate degree in Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Foster’s secular experience includes: Marketing Executive at the Amoco Oil Corporation, Sales & Marketing at both Kraft General Foods and Quaker Oats in the Gatorade division. He was also an Administrator for the Chicago Public School System at Orr High School. A few of Pastor Foster’s principal commitments are to Christian education and the spiritual growth and development of people.
Pastor Foster has continued to move Providence forward. As the President and CEO of the Providence Development Corporation, and under the divine leadership of God, he has implemented several new ministries and capital improvements, including a Youth Church; and as of May 2018, an Audio/Video ministry. In December of 2015, under Dr. Foster’s leadership, Providence acquired the former Barbara Sizemore Academy that, once renovated, will be used as a Christian multi-purpose facility. Also under his leadership is the Providence Tech Center, which is scheduled for opening in the Spring of 2020.
Dr. Foster is experienced in serving at the national, state and local levels of the Baptist denomination. He currently serves as President and CEO of the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Incorporated, which currently has a membership of over 200 churches state-wide. His previous accomplishments on the State level include serving as Chairman of Finances and Financial Secretary for the Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Inc. Other accomplishments include serving as Treasurer of the Salem Baptist District Association, as well as Moderator of the Salem Baptist District Association of Illinois, Inc. Dr. Foster has been part of the faculty for the National Baptist Congress for over ten years, and also serves on the National Labor Relations Board of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc., and as Budget Director/Treasurer of the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, as well as Budget Committee member of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. In January of 2020, Dr. Foster was installed as the Vice-President of the Midwest Region of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Prior to his higher calling, in 1980 Dr. Foster was drafted after graduating from college by, and played for, the Chicago Bulls.
Dr. Foster is a Christian man and has a genuine love for people. He is a man with great vision and faith, and one that is dedicated to meeting the needs of people.