Dr. David C. Penn

Dr. David C. Penn is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and the son of Robert and Alice Edmonia Kennedy Penn (both of whom are deceased). He was ordained by the late Samuel L. Jordan and has served the Robbins congregation since 1983. He is the nephew of the late Levi Kennedy, Jr., who baptized him into the body of Christ.

He began preaching the gospel at the age of fourteen and has conducted revival meetings, evangelistic meetings, seminars and workshops in thirty-nine states; from the Pacific Coast of California, to the Eastern shores of Maryland. Furthermore, he is a frequent speaker on National and Regional Lectureships hosted by African American Churches of Christ.

Dr. Penn serves as Secretary for the Churches of Christ National Lectureship Executive and Advisory Committees. He is the past Chairman of the Churches of Christ Midwest Lectureship and present Chairman of Academic Affairs for the School of Religious Studies in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

He is a co-founder and past Chairman of the Midwest Youth Conference among Churches of Christ; Chancellor and Board of Regents Chairman for Metropolitan Christian University in Louisville, Kentucky; founder of the Chicago Windy City Lectureship; founder of Imani Counseling Services and founder of the Institute of Biblical Studies.

Dr. Penn is a graduate of Rochester University; University of Missouri; University of Nebraska; City University (Seattle, WA); Concordia University Chicago; Abilene Christian University; Saint Xavier University; California Coast University; Colorado Theological Seminary; and International Seminary. Educationally, he has received an Associate and Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts (History) Master of Education (Curriculum & Instruction); Master of Arts (Educational Administration); Master of Religious Education; Educational Specialist (Ed.S.); Doctorate of Philosophy; and Superintendent of Schools Certification.

Furthermore, he has received Post-Graduate Certificates in History from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia; Harvard University in Cambridge; Massachusetts; Columbia University in New York City (with the renowned Dr. Eric Foner as his instructional mentor); and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City. In February 2021, Dr. Penn was recognized by Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, for his outstanding achievement in the field of African American Historical Research and Investigation.