AD Lenoir, senior pastor of Westview Baptist Church in Miami since 2009, was stabbed to death on the steps of his church on April 6.
Police have arrested James Dawkins, a homeless man whom Lenoir had befriended and had been helping. They’ve charged Dawkins with first-degree murder.
Through the years of his pastorate, Lenoir led his congregation to be a Gospel presence in the community. The church was actively involved in Westview Elementary School, where Lenoir served as a chaplain and led his church to lead a robust after-school program, a tutoring ministry, summer camp and other activities designed to share God’s love with children and their parents.
Westview Baptist Church also adopted a local low-income apartment community, with church members building relationships with residents and meeting practical needs, such as helping unemployed adults develop skills to write resumes and prepare for interviews.
Hundreds of people have been baptized as a result of the church’s investment in the community.
Lenoir also served as a chaplain with the North Miami Police Department.
NBC Miami reported that Lenoir was attempting to help Dawkins get back on his feet, even allowing him to stay on the church property, but that arrangement was ending. Authorities said Dawkins stabbed Lenoir “without provocation.”
In a 2019 article about the church Lenoir said, “We are trying to model Christ in a practical way.”