Progressive Baptist Church

For 31 years, Progressive Baptist Church has sought to be a change agent on the Eastside of St. Paul, preaching the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ and providing the necessary support to make St. Paul a city that works for all Minnesotans. The vision to create a ministry that addresses the whole person—mind, body and soul—has led to life-changing, innovative ministries that have engaged the entire Eastside community.  Progressive has a community outreach program that focuses on Employment, Education, Youth Enrichment, Health, as well as Civic and Community Events.

Rev. Dr. Melvin G. Miller, Senior Pastor

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Through a number of strategic partnerships, Progressive has developed a health program to address the critical health disparities among immigrants and people of color. In partnership with Whole Foods, Trader Joes and other organizations. Progressive's Fishes & Loaves Food Shelf (TEFAP certified) provides healthy, organic foods to children and adults in the urban core with approximately 15,000 lbs. of fresh produce and meats each month, and is a vital community service in need of a permanent location.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

One of our signature programs offered as a part of our youth programming is the fall Historically Black College/University tour for high school and middle school students. For nineteen years we've provided all youth, especially youth of color the opportunity to visit colleges and universities of excellence with their heritage in mind.   Students and parents go through ten months of preparing for higher education.  

Progressive has an array of other youth enrichment programs.  Programming like robotics, a tutorial lab, Girl Scouts, the stepping troop (just to name a few) operate throughout the summer months and the school year. During the summer, Progressive runs a series of summer camps and partnerships with various organizations (see media gallery).  

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This year's Give-to-the Max donations will go towards those programs as well as Progressive's new youth complex and community center that will allow Progressive to continue to do the work that we have been called to do. The complex will be 145 ft. X 85 ft. (or approx. 12,000 sq. ft.). It will provide a permanent location for a health clinic, our food shelf, 5 multi-purpose classrooms, a walking track, a gym, weight room, storage place, a foyer and much more. It will be a steel frame structure with brick facia around the sides to match the church, with a pre-fab mesh. This project has received endorsements from District 1 and Councilperson Jane Prince.