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The Rev. Otis Moss III is the senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL.

Member of:

United Church of Christ

Representative of:

Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL

Rev. Otis Moss, III serves as Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL.

Prior to joining the pastoral staff at Trinity United Church of Christ, Rev. Moss served as pastor of the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. After his arrival, Tabernacle was blessed, through Christ, to go from 125 members to over 2100 disciples.

He served as host of the "Day1 Diner" segments produced by Faith & Values Media for the Hallmark Channel.

Rev. Moss received his BA in Religion and Philosophy from Morehouse College where he served as Student Government President. During his matriculation at "the House," he was inducted as a Ford Foundation Scholar, named by the NCAA as an All-American Track and Field athlete and graduated with honors.

He continued graduate work at Yale University and was awarded the FTE Benjamin Elijah Mays Scholarship in Religion and the Yale University Magee Fellowship. Rev. Moss is recorded as one of the few African-Americans to ever receive this award in the schools' 300-year history. Rev. Moss graduated from Yale with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Ethics and Theology.

After finishing seminary, Rev. Moss journeyed to Denver, Colorado to pursue a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Change at the University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology, under the tutelage of African-American historian and theologian, Dr. Vincent Harding. While not completing the program due to his call to serve the Tabernacle Baptist Church he maintains a high level academic commitment to research and teaching. He has been Adjunct Professor of Voorhees College, Guest Lecturer for the Interdenominational Theological Center, Emory University, Presbyterian College, Paine College, Dillard University, Howard University, Yale, Harvard University and Morehouse College. While in Denver, he continued his ministry to youth and young adults as the assistant to the pastor and Minister of Youth Programs at New Hope Baptist Church. Pastor James D. Peters, D.Min became a mentor to Rev. Moss and inspired in him a love for African-American homiletics and church history.

Rev. Moss has done extensive research in the areas of African-American culture, theology and youth development. Four-G published his first book, Redemption in a Red Light District, in December of 1999. His essays, articles and poetry have appeared in The African American Pulpit Journal, Sojourners Magazine, and the Urban Spectrum. The African American Pulpit Journal recently named Reverend Moss one of the "20 to watch" ministers who will shape the future of the African American church. Belief.Net named Rev. Moss as one of the future religious leaders who will impact the African-American Church. As a result of his commitment to intergenerational ministry and prophetic preaching Rev. Moss has had the honor of speaking at the Hampton University Ministers and Musicians Conference on three occasions. This is largest African American ecumenical conference in the nation. In addition he holds the distinction of being the youngest lecturer ever to present to this body.

His passion for youth and intergenerational ministry led him to create the Issachar Movement, a consulting group designed to bridge the generation gap within churches and train a new generation of prophetic church leadership.

His love for God and young people has led him to speak and preach in churches, seminaries and colleges across the globe; Including places such as South Africa, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Egypt. Newsweek magazine cited Rev. Moss as one of "God's foot Soldiers' committed to transforming the lives of youth. 

He is the husband of Monica Brown Moss a graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University and the son of Dr. Otis (Edwina) Moss, Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio. They have one son, Elijah Wynton Taylor Moss and one daughter, Makayla Elon Moss.

Latest Content by The Rev. Otis Moss III

BlackVoices Preach: Otis Moss III on a Moral Case for Tax Fairness in America

BlackVoices Preach!

Why do the richest one percent of Americans often pay less taxes than their employees struggling to make ends meet? For most Americans, our recent tax day was about as welcomed as a trip to the dentist. But a cab driver working the double shift probably had more reason for discomfort than a hedge-fund manager on Wall Street because of an immoral tax system that lets many millionaires and billionaires get away with paying a lower rate than working families. It's time for a broader values debate that includes an honest discussion about economic justice and tax fairness.

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The Rev. Otis Moss III: Understanding Faith Through Jazz

Odyssey Networks

Odyssey Networks 

The showcasing of distinctive instruments in a jazz ensemble illustrates how each faith brings a valuable perspective to our common life, says the Rev. Otis Moss III, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The piety of Islam, the sense of sacred history of Judaism, the Sikh commitment to equal rights -- these traditions and more are something we should engage with. 

Read full article...

Other Recent Content by The Rev. Otis Moss III

A 30 Good Minutes Conversation with Rev. Otis Moss

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Daniel Pawlus and guest co-host, Joan Chittister, in conversation with Otis Moss III, who says, "I think that anytime we lose someone or something—whatever it may be—is an invitation to respond with compassion and love.

Life After Loss - The Rev. Otis Moss on 30 Good Minutes

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Otis Moss III, Senior Minister of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, talks about life after loss, sharing stories of people who have turned adversity into opportunity.

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Conversation with Rev. Otis Moss III - A 30 Good Minutes Interview

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

A conversation with the Rev. Otis Moss III from 30 Good Minutes.

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The Rev. Otis Moss III on 30 Good Minutes - "Called to Make a Way"

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Leaders are not always recognized and it takes those that make a pathway to progress for the world to change. In this short sermon the Rev. Otis Moss III discusses those leaders who, though often forgotten, are most important to progress in the world. We are all called to make a way.

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We Have Nothing To Lose - The Rev. Otis Moss III on 30 Good Minutes

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

The Rev. Otis Moss III, Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, says when we act out of God's love, and not from our fears, we begin to make a positive change in our own lives and in the world.

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Conversation with Rev. Otis Moss III - A 30 Good Minutes Interview

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Hosts Lillian Daniel and Daniel Pawlus in conversation with Otis Moss III, who says the landscape of the American faith community is a tapestry, drawing from the rich ethnic and religious traditions of its multicultural population. When we begin to operate as a people learning how to love each other, we learn not to allow fear to determine our behavior.

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Mau Mau - The Rev. Otis Moss III on 30 Good Minutes

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

The Rev. Otis Moss gives us a reflection on the Path of Hate provided by Day1 partner 30 Good Minutes.

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Jazz Music and Faith - Otis Moss III on 30 Good Minutes

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, reflects on jazz music as a metaphor for democracy and faith.

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The Rev. Otis Moss III - "By Any Means Necessary" 30 Good Minutes

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

The Rev. Otis Moss III tells the story of the paralyzed man whose friends took him to be healed by Jesus to inspire us to employ any means necessary to encourage people to come to God.

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30 Good Minutes - Conversation with Otis Moss III

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Hosts Lillian Daniel and Lydia Talbot in conversation with Otis Moss III who says if you pass on to a child the value system of love and service, it stays with that child forever.

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"The People Who Could Fly" - Rev. Otis Moss III on 30 Good Minutes

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Otis Moss III, Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, tells an African folk tale about the people who could fly to show how we are called to ensure that those who are marginalized have a word in their spirit that will allow them to soar.

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30 Good Minutes - Conversation with Rev. Otis Moss III

The Rev. Otis Moss, III (UCC)

Hosts Daniel Pawlus and Lydia Talbot in conversation with Otis Moss III, who talks about making Christianity relevant to a hip-hop generation. "There is a segment in our community," he says, "that has been completely pushed aside by the faith community because what we do is demand that they change and operate like us instead of saying, what do we need to do to connect with you? ".