Background
Baker was born in 1953 in Oakland, California.
Baker was born in 1953 in Oakland, California.
He holds a Bachelor in Ministerial Theology from Oakwood College, a Masters of Divinity from Andrews University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Communications from Howard University.
The couple has three adult sons. Baker"s professional experience includes ten years of pastoring (1975–1985), seven years as editor of Message (1985–1992), and four years as vice president and professor of Religion at Loma Linda University and Medical Center (1992–1996). He has authored or edited over 20 books, most notably The Unknown Prophet, From Exile to Prime Minister, and Telling the Story, and written over 500 articles
Baker was the tenth president of Oakwood University from 1996 to 2010.
Under his leadership the university experienced significant growth including increased enrollment. Enlarged land holdings.
Construction and/or purchase of five major facilities. Major renovations on numerous campus structures.
And development of a comprehensive award-winning technology network.
Fund-raising efforts were remarkable with approximately $90 million raised through donations and grants. Foreign the length of his tenure Oakwood University was listed in United States News and World Report as among the best colleges in the Southern region. Also during his presidency, Baker completed marathons to raise funds for student scholarships on all seven continents and the North Pole, and 35 of the 50 states in the United States., that raised more than $500,000 in a scholarship endowment.
In 2012 and 2013, he coordinated the worldwide Great Controversy/Great Hope Global Sharing Program that distributed more than 142 million copies of the Ellen G. White classic The Great Controversy.
In response to increasing crises and global hot spots, Baker provided leadership for the establishment of the worldwide Government College crisis leadership preparation project that resulted in all Schools Development Authority world divisions developing and maintaining crisis readiness. In collaboration with the Health Ministries Department, Baker also coordinated the establishment of the global comprehensive health ministry program and worked with efforts to stem the spread of Ebola in West Africa.