2012 Gems & Jewels Honoree

Rev. Clyde E.Gaines

Reverend Clyde E. Gaines was born in the great city of Houston, Texas to Reverend and Sister A. M. Gaines, Sr.  Reverend Gaines attended elementary school and later went on to graduate from Phillis Wheatley High School.  Upon graduation, he entered Texas Southern University.  He later joined the United States Air Force.  After serving in the Armed Forces, he returned to Texas to continue his educational studies at Texas Southern University.  He then moved to Los Angeles, where he continued his studies at Cal-State University. 

On July 21, 1957, the Lord blessed Rev. Gaines to take as his bride Barbara Woods.  In 1965, he and Sister Gaines gave birth to a son, Clyde II, and in 1968 a daughter, Traci, two lovely children.  He is also a very proud grandfather.

Reverend Gaines was called to the ministry in 1953.  In 1959 he preached his first sermon.  He served faithfully under the leadership of the late Dr. B. O. Byrd at the New Hope Baptist Church in Los Angeles until he was called to pastor the New Hope Baptist Church in Palmdale, California.  He served there faithfully for 6-1/2 years before being called to his present work. 

Reverend Gaines became the pastor of the Greater Trinity Baptist Church in November 1978.  He served two terms as the President of the Baptist Minister’s Union of San Diego and vicinity from 1981-1988.  In March of 1994 his picture was hung in the Museum of Arts of San Diego as one of the one hundred African American Role Models in the showing of “Songs of My People.”  The San Diego City Council proclaimed February 11, 2002 as Reverend Clyde E. Gaines Day in the City of San Diego.  In April 2002, the Women of Distinction recognized him as Man of the Year. 

Reverend Gaines is Moderator Emeritus of the Progressive Baptist District Association.  He has also held the offices of Vice-President of Auxiliaries and as Chairman of the Foreign Mission Board for the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.  In 2008, Reverend Gaines completed his studies and earned the distinguished degree of Doctorate of Theology.  In October of 2011, he passed the torch after serving twelve years as  President of the California Missionary Baptist State Convention.     

Reverend Gaines has served diligently on many boards for the City and County of San Diego.    He has served on the following boards:  44th Congressional District Advisory

Committee; Public Welfare Advisory Board of San Diego; N.M.A. Advisory Board; Ministerial Advisory Board (Councilman William Jones, 44th District); Ministerial Advisory Board O.I.C.; Mayor’s Black Advisory; and the Hypertension Council Board of San Diego and vicinity.  He also served on the City of San Diego Civil Service Commission; Comprehensive Health Center Advisory Board; and the Black Economic Development Task Force. 

Reverend Gaines continues to work in the vineyard and follow the directions of The Lord.