Reverend Charles W. Leak was born in 1932 to the late Luther and Dessie Leak in Anson County, North Carolina. He was reared in Wadesboro, NC until the age of 18. In 1952, at the age of 19, he was drafted into the US Army where he faithfully served his country in the Korean War until 1955. After leaving the army, Rev. Leak eventually felt a call from God to preach the gospel. The late Dr. W. L. Wilson ordained him in 1964 as a Baptist minister in the High Point Educational Missionary Baptist Association.
In 1966, Rev. Leak became pastor of New Salem Baptist Church in Swannanoa, NC. In 1967, Rev. Leak became the pastor of Phillips Chapel Baptist Church here in the city of Winston-Salem, NC where he remained until 1987. Reverend Leak continued his pastorate in 1987 as the founder and pastor of Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Winston Salem, NC. Today, Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church is a growing church comprised of approximately 300 members on its membership roll. The church is located at 3010 Carver School Road.
Reverend Leak is a learned minister. He has studied at Piedmont Bible College, Duke Divinity School and Wake Forest University. He holds an associate’s degree from Piedmont Bible College in Winston Salem, NC. Reverend Leak is a pioneer with young ministers. He has helped to ordain over 60 ministers and has licensed to preach more than 22 ministers. He presently serves on the Executive Board of the High Point Educational Missionary Baptist Association and is chairperson of the Ordination Council of the High Point Educational Missionary Baptist Association. As an advocate for young ministers, he is known throughout the state for being a friend and confidant to ministers early in their career. Reverend Leak humbly serves God and his community through the ministries he has established in Winston-Salem, NC. These ministries have had and continue to have a positive and direct impact on the wellness of the spirit, mind, body and soul.
A few of his accomplishments are: - One of the first ministers locally to implement an outreach ministry to Winston Salem State University (1967) - One of the first ministers locally to establish an outreach ministry to underserved areas in the community (1967) - The first minister to experiment with 4:00 evening worship services which is now common in the city (1971) - The first minister to utilize “neon” signage to advertise church related events, which is now common in the city (1975) - Established a scholarship for deserving college bound students which has translated into the C. W. Leak Youth Council.
The scripture that has followed him throughout his pastoralship comes from Matthew 16:18, which reads “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Solid Rock Missionary Baptist Church family can say without any hesitation, that he is leaving a legacy second to none. Solid Rock is proud to honor and present this highly respected and committed man of God as he retires after 42 years of dedicated service.
