The Rev. J. Oscar McCloud is the Associate Pastor Emeritus, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City where he served from 1995 -2005.  Before coming to Fifth Avenue he was for nine years Executive Director of The Fund for Theological Education. (FTE)  This not-for-profit organization awards fellowships each year to persons preparing for the Christian ministry as pastors, teachers, and scholars.  Before joining FTE Rev. McCloud spent 14 years as General Director of The Program Agency of the Presbyterian Church (USA) 1972 –1986.

From August 2009 to June 2010 he was Acting Executive Presbyter, for the Presbytery of New York, the regional body of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Mr. McCloud was born in rural Georgia, the youngest of seven children and spent his early childhood on a plantation.  He began his education at two Presbyterian schools, Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia, and Warren Wilson Junior College in North Carolina, and earned a B.A. in sociology and psychology from Berea College (Kentucky).  He graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York City with a Masters of Divinity, where he helped organize The Student Interracial Ministry, a group of seminarians’ response to the student sit-ins and the civil rights movement in the South.

After receiving his M.Div. from Union in 1961, Mr. McCloud spent three years as pastor of the Davie Street United Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and then eight years on the staff of the United Presbyterian Church working with civil rights groups in the Southeast.  In 1971 he was elected to the post of Associate General Secretary of the Commission on Ecumenical Mission and Relations of the United Presbyterian Church (USA) with special emphasis on Africa and Latin America.

Mr. McCloud became General Director of the Program Agency of the United Presbyterian Church USA in 1972.  As chief executive for mission programs, he was responsible for administering a budget of more than $50 million, 40% of which was spent outside the United States.  Under his leadership, the Program Agency concentrated on new church development as an area of mission, developed a church school curriculum, and undertook new projects in the area of international missions, including partnerships with several Reformed churches in Eastern Europe and Cuba

Rev. McCloud represented the Presbyterian Church on governing board of the National Council of Churches of Christ (USA), 1971-1986, and the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches from 1975-1991.  From 1981-91, he chaired the finance committee of the World Council of Churches Central Committee, which was responsible for the development of that organization's financial policies. 

He was a member of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church (USA) and served as its moderator for two years.  He has served on the Board of Directors of Covenant Network of Presbyterians, and as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Department of History of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  He has been a commissioner to the General Assembly three times, and has served as moderato, New York City Presbytery.

He has been active in his local community having served on the Board of Directors of Englewood Hospital, the Teaneck, NJ, Advisory Board on Community Relations, including serving as it chair.  He is present a member of the Board of Adjustment of the Township of Teaneck.

In addition to his general administrative and personnel skills, Mr. McCloud has extensive experience in the area of missions and outreach planning.  He has represented Presbyterians in relationships with churches in more than 50 countries, including visits with churches in Asia, Africa, Europe (formerly East and West), the Caribbean, Central and Latin America.  He was one of the first Presbyterian Church officials to visit South Africa, Cuba, Poland, East Germany, and Czechoslovakia, Hungary and the People’s Republic of China in the 1970s and early 80s.  He has received a number of awards including the Congressional Black Caucus Community Service Award, first alumnus to receive Berea College Community Service Award; Warren Wilson College distinguished alumnus award, and honorary degrees from two Presbyterian related colleges.

Rev. McCloud is a widower who lives in Teaneck, New Jersey and is the father of three adult children: Michelle, who is mentally retarded and lives at Duvall Presbyterian Home in Glenwood, Florida, Cassandra and Tony.