I first became aware of Gino Jennings around 2010 through Pastor Tony Smith, a critic of Jennings at the time. Back then, I was a follower of Pastor Smith, who gained prominence on YouTube for openly and credibly challenging the behavior and doctrinal teachings of black pastors—a rarity in the black church community. Jennings’s ministry shared a similar boldness, yet Smith eventually embraced a “new” revelation closely aligning with the false Black Hebrew Israelite doctrine.
Smith has since faded from the scene, straying from sound doctrine, while Jennings, whom Smith once publicly denounced, is now recognized worldwide. This is not to suggest that fame equates to God’s favor or credibility, but personally, Jennings embodies the preacher and prophet I have longed to hear: unapologetic, confrontational, and uncompromising in his masculinity while delivering the gospel.
Jennings’s steadfastness has made him a target of God’s enemies, yet he remains unwavering in his commitment to the Word of God. While I have doctrinal differences with some aspects of his Oneness Pentecostal theology—such as the “Jesus Name ONLY baptism”—I recognize that all believers have blind spots. I count myself chief among them. None of us fully comprehend God’s Word; only those unaware of their own limitations claim otherwise.
For black men, both as church leaders like myself and as members of the body of Christ, Jennings represents the Holy Spirit boldness we’ve longed for. This boldness has been stripped away by black pastors who have replaced true biblical meekness with a watered-down version of grace and humility.
Jennings, however, rejects the pretense that often masquerades as humility among pastors—a false facade used to manipulate and obscure their true motives. I’ve seen it firsthand in two decades of ministry: many pastors are sociopaths cloaked in spirituality, leveraging false humility to gain control.
Jennings’s boldness, which critics dismiss as “arrogance” or “lacking grace,” is in fact a hallmark of true gospel preaching. Those who seek the heart of God recognize that Jesus was not just the “turn-the-other-cheek” Lamb of God but also the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
Many churches emphasize the Lamb while neglecting the Lion, creating an imbalance that fails to resonate with men, especially those called to protect and lead their families. Jennings has shattered this false dichotomy, presenting a Jesus who is both gentle and fiercely righteous—a balance that draws men eager for truth and strength.
Moreover, Jennings equips men to lead their homes without the undue influence of other men, including black pastors. Too often, the church has failed men, offering them little more than emotionalism and shallow teachings. Many pastors seem more interested in personal achievement than genuinely empowering their congregations. While the blame does not rest solely on leadership, men have reached a crossroads, questioning what the church truly offers them.
Jennings provides the “meat” of Scripture, not just the “broth.” He delivers a 12-ounce porterhouse steak of God’s Word, while pastors serve only the watery remnants. Ironically, these same pastors frequently quote, “God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” yet fail to provide the knowledge needed for spiritual growth. Instead, they offer personal opinions disguised as doctrine, becoming the very destroyers they warn against.
An entire generation of black men—born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s—grew up influenced by the bold rhetoric of Malcolm X and Minister Louis Farrakhan. While we later recognized the theological errors in their teachings, their unapologetic stance and willingness to speak truth to power left a lasting impact.
By contrast, the black church often presented a weak and unconvincing version of Christianity, rooted in the Lamb Jesus of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with little acknowledgment of the Lion Jesus who overturned tables in the temple.
This lack of boldness drove many of us away—not from a desire to abandon God, but from disillusionment with weak and uninspiring leadership. Where was the boldness in Christianity? Instead of embracing and celebrating this strength, many churches shun it, labeling it arrogance. Having worked with black pastors for decades, I’ve seen how many prioritize control over empowering their congregations.
Praise the Lord for Watchman Gino Jennings and the ministry he leads. God’s people desperately need to witness and experience someone unashamed of Jesus Christ—someone willing to stand boldly on the Word of God.
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