​​Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Bronner, a native of Philadelphia, entered this world on October 28, 1963, born to Sylvia Bronner (affectionately known as Pooh), and was later adopted and deeply loved by his father, Charles B. Walker, Sr., after they wed. He grew up in North Philadelphia in a home filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories shared with his siblings—an upbringing that shaped his warmth, compassion, and unshakeable sense of family throughout his life. He would go on to become a preacher extraordinaire, a visionary leader, and a faithful servant of God whose ministry reached across generations and communities.

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He faithfully served as Senior Pastor of Elim Christian Fellowship in Buffalo, NY, and was the Founder of Elim Christian Fellowship of Rochester, NY—both birthed in obedience to God and established on November 7, 1999, and November 17, 2002. Prior to founding Elim, Rev. Dr. Bronner led the historic Calvary Baptist Church of Buffalo, NY, where he was called in October 1992 and assumed the pastorate that December. Fresh out of seminary, he embraced this first pastoral assignment with enthusiasm, describing it as a “joyful love affair” where traditional and progressive ministry approaches worked together for spiritual growth.

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His early pastoral success was marked by extraordinary evangelistic momentum and financial stewardship. Nearly five hundred members united with Calvary Baptist Church within his first six months, reflecting his anointing to win souls and cultivate strong ministry foundations. His regional early morning prayer meetings became a hallmark of his ministry, culminating in a landmark citywide prayer gathering at the Bison baseball field that drew thousands. Under his leadership, Calvary’s membership grew from several hundred to several thousand, and major initiatives—including substantial scholarship fundraising efforts—left lasting impact.

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Rev. Dr. Bronner carried from his days at Temple University a clear call to build churches. Before leaving undergraduate life, he had already founded Bridge the Gap Christian Campus Ministry, signaling his gifts in planting seeds of faith in new territory. That call matured in 1999 when he stepped out to plant what would become two thriving Elim Christian Fellowships within three years—a realization of his lifelong, God-ordained mission.

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His relentless pursuit of revival and spiritual renewal led him to name the ministry “Elim,” a biblical place of refreshing. His vision for Elim was rooted in diversity, reconciliation, and radical inclusivity—embracing all people regardless of background, culture, or circumstance.

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To further support emerging ministries, Rev. Dr. Bronner founded Turning the World Upside Down Covenant Fellowship, Inc., serving as its Presiding Prelate. Through this network, he provided pastoral oversight, leadership development, revival gatherings, and training resources for churches across the nation.

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Believing deeply in the value of theological education, he also founded The Sound of the Genuine Biblical Institute, a leadership training program designed to make high-quality theological education accessible and affordable—especially for leaders within the African American church. Under his leadership, SGBI became a fully accredited program of Northeastern Seminary, offering certificates in Christian Education Ministry.

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A gifted scholar and communicator, Rev. Dr. Bronner served as a lecturer, conference presenter, and adjunct professor at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, where he had earned his Master of Divinity in 1992. He taught Introduction to Preaching, Black Church Homiletics, and Preaching History, shaping future generations of pastors and proclaimers of the gospel.​

 

He held a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Temple University and earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Northeastern Seminary in May 2014. Licensed to preach in 1984 and ordained in 1987, he was consecrated as Bishop in October 2008 in a sacred and jubilant celebration attended by leaders and members from Elim fellowships across the country.

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In 2025, Rev. Dr. Bronner further extended his lifelong commitment to developing leaders and strengthening the Church through the founding of the Bronner Institute for Transformational Ministry. This institute stood as a reflection of his enduring passion for preaching, teaching, and equipping the next generation of voices for effective and impactful ministry. Designed to merge theological depth with practical application, the institute became a space where emerging and seasoned leaders alike could be sharpened, challenged, and inspired. Even in its founding, it carried the unmistakable imprint of his vision—to make transformational ministry accessible, relevant, and rooted in both spiritual authenticity and cultural awareness.

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Though he achieved much, Rev. Dr. Bronner often reflected that one of his greatest honors was the simple, heartfelt moment when Deacon Otis Hayes of Calvary Baptist Church first called him “Pastor.” He often remarked, “I can’t count how many lives have been changed. I can’t keep score; I can only be grateful to God for choosing to use me.”

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In addition to his profound work in ministry, Rev. Dr. Bronner was a gifted author whose writings strengthened, encouraged, and equipped believers worldwide. He penned three transformative books: Strength for the Journey, a devotional offering hope and perseverance for life’s trials; Conversations in Quarantine, written during a season of global uncertainty to bring clarity, faith, and peace; and, most recently, Preaching Made Doable, completed shortly before his passing. This final work reflects his lifelong commitment to developing preachers and making the art of proclamation accessible, practical, and powerful for both emerging and seasoned ministers. Through his books, his voice continues to teach, inspire, and guide.

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Rev. Dr. T. Anthony Bronner’s life was a testament to faith, vision, perseverance, and unconditional love. His legacy will continue through the churches he built, the leaders he trained, the souls he reached, and the countless lives transformed by his ministry. His voice now rests, but his impact will echo for generations.