The Reverend Doctor Frank Portee III, a native of South Carolina, is the Senior Pastor of the Church of the Redeemer (PC-USA) in South Central Los Angeles since 1999. He has pastored congregations in South CarolinaSouthern California for more than 15 years. He served as the Director of Empowerment and Organizing for Interfaith Impact on Capitol Hill; the Executive Secretary for African American Ministries and National Shalom Coordinator for the General Board of Global Ministries-UMC in New York City.  His skill set includes the theological discipline of socio-theological ethics, with a focus on urban politics, congregational transformation and community-based organizing. A gifted preacher and teacher, Frank has served as Adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, The Union Institute, and the Southern California School of Ministry, a Research Fellow with the Candler School of Theology, Emory University.

Dr. Frank Portee III

In September 2006, the Interdenominational Theological Center opened its Los Angeles Study Site for the Certificate in Theology Program at Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ. Dr. Portee serves as Coordinator and Professor. We are excited about this new venture in equipping church leaders, lay and clergy, with foundational tools for ministry and mission.

Frank is the creative principal of The Amandla Group (a church and community consulting project dedicated to building personal and communal power), and the Conference Dean of the Pacific Institute of Word and Witness that sponsors the Annual African American Pastors Conference. His vision is simple: to combine scholarship and spirituality as partners in the urban missionary enterprise.

Frank has earned degrees from Carson-Newman College, the Interdenominational Theological Center, Wesley Theological Seminary and American University in Washington D. C. He has a Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from the University of California at Los Angeles.