MEET PASTOR JAIME
Pastor Daren C. Jaime serves as Pastor of People’s AME Zion Church in Syracuse, New York, where he leads with a deep commitment to faith, community empowerment, and social impact. A relevant and credible prophetic voice, his unwavering mission remains to transform lives, strengthen communities, and uplift future generations through faith, action, and service. He is currently the longest serving pastor in the church’s 190 year church history. Under his leadership, People’s AME Zion Church has expanded its outreach initiatives, revitalizing the South Side of Syracuse through faith-based community development, social advocacy, and economic empowerment programs.
Pastor Jaime’s leadership extends into both the community and higher education, where he serves as a Chaplain for the Syracuse Police and Fire Departments and at Syracuse University’s Hendricks Chapel, providing spiritual guidance in the Christian Protestant and Historically Black Church Chaplaincy. . Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Jaime is an award-winning broadcast journalist and the host of Open and Social Justice on BronxNet TV seen in the Bronx and New York City. His career in media has allowed him to amplify community voices and address critical social issues, reaching audiences worldwide. He has also hosted Power Perspectives and Perspectives, using his platform to raise awareness to critical issues while also inspiring change.
Born and Raised in Harlem, New York, his ministerial journey began in 1994 at Saint Frances A.M.E. Zion Church in Port Chester, New York. Pastor Jaime achieved Summa Cum Laude honors and received the 2023 Dean’s award when he earned his Master of Divinity from Portland Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Currently, he is an active doctoral student at Portland Seminary, focusing on Leadership and Global Perspectives.
Recognized as a distinguished servant leader, Pastor Jaime’s ministry impact has been highlighted in various local, national, and religious media outlets, including USA Today, Bleacher Report, TBN, and CNN.
Pastor Jaime is also the Presiding Elder of The Midland District of the London-Midland Annual Conference. This region encompasses the Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton vicinity in the United Kingdom.
He is the proud father of Christopher Isaiah Jaime and multi-talented daughter, Tracee Mychelle.
FULL BIOGRAPHY OF PASTOR DAREN C. JAIME
Pastor Daren C. Jaime is an anointed, relevant and passionate servant leader wholeheartedly embracing the compassionate call of Christ. His ministry of adaptive and transformative leadership has garnered an intergenerational reach; leading hearers to consequently respond to God’s invitation for their lives.
He recently became the longest serving pastor in the 190 year history of the People’s A.M.E Zion Church of Syracuse New York. Through courageous faith, prayer, and outreach, starting with a congregation of only a few dozen active members, since 2006 he has consistently grown the
Pastoral and Ministry Highlights
Under his effective leadership, The People’s Church added an 8:00 (now 8:30am) service and continues in adopting his vision of providing help, hope, healing and resources to those in need through an an array of ministries under the People’s Church umbrella.
Throughout his pastoral tenure, he led the congregation in a successful $180,000 Capital Campaign, resulting in the complete remodeling of the church sanctuary, including new pews, carpeting, lighting, and the installation of a new boiler and women’s restroom, while also retiring the mortgage on both the commercial strip property and parsonage.
Additionally, under his administrative leadership he has secured nearly 3 mllion dollars in grants and awards, benefiting both The People’s Church and The People’s Community Development Corporation (2006-Present). His administrative vision and execution are evident in the on going rehabilitation of the church’s former house of worship at 711 Fayette Street. This project, which saw nearly $700,000 in phase 1 grant funding, laying the foundation for the site’s transformation into a restaurant/café with a culinary jobs training program.
Beyond The Four Walls
Pastor Jaime’s impactful mission extends far beyond the pulpit, making him an influential servant leader with significant local, national, and international reach. Renowned for his critical thinking and innovative leadership, he is frequently sought after as a credible community advocate and a prophetic voice for the voiceless.
Pastor Jaime, is a member of the New York State Governor’s Interfaith Religious Task Force, and serves as the chaplain for The Historically Black Church at Syracuse University and is also chaplain for The Syracuse Police and Fire Department. Additionally, he presides as the Presiding Elder of The Midland District in England.
Awards and Recognitions
One of Pastor Jaime’s most memorable accomplishments is testifying before Congress, pushing for signed legislation from President Barack Obama to designate a national historical park at Harriet Tubman’s former home in Auburn. His testimony was critical in enacting the passage of the federal legislation in December 2014, making The Tubman Home the first of its kind in the nation to honor an African-American woman.
Pastor Jaime has received numerous prestigious honors for his service, including the Omega Psi Phi “Citizen of the Year” award and the Interfaith Works Racial Justice and Democracy in Action Leadership award. Twice, in 2012 and 2017, he was honored with an official “Pastor Daren C. Jaime Day” by the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County. He also received Congressional recognition for his service, with an American flag flown over the United States Capitol, presented to him by former U.S. Congressman John Katko.
Recognized as a distinguished servant leader, Pastor Jaime’s ministry impact has been highlighted in various local, national, and religious media outlets, including USA Today, Bleacher Report, TBN, and CNN.
Hailing from Harlem, New York, Pastor Jaime achieved Summa Cum Laude honors and received the 2023 Dean’s award when he earned his Master of Divinity from Portland Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Currently, he is an active doctoral student at Portland Seminary, focusing on Leadership and Global Perspectives.
He is the father of one amazing son, Christopher and one multi- talented daughter, Tracee.
