On Friday, April 19, 2024, FBI Director Christopher Wray awarded Senior Pastor Moses Alexander of Acts Gospel Outreach Ministries the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for his service to the people of Grand Rapids. A true changemaker, Pastor Moses is a shining example of how community members are the heart and soul of how the FBI carries out its mission of protecting the American people through people, partnership, process, and innovation.

The FBI established the DCLA in 1990 to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence. The FBI’s 56 field offices select the recipients annually for this honor.

“Our success as both a law enforcement and an intelligence agency hinges on our ability to foster and maintain genuine partnerships with people in all communities,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “People like this year’s Leadership Award recipients not only identify what others need, but they are willing to roll up their sleeves and provide services. They are building bridges and relationships while putting in the work to have hard conversations and find common purpose. They do it out of kindness and compassion with a sincere belief that justice—in its many forms—requires all of us to do the right thing in the right way.”

Pastor Alexander in his capacity as a faith-based leader implemented ways to alleviate the tension between Law Enforcement and the community in the Grand Rapids area. He began holding monthly Law Enforcement and community functions to help rebuild the trust between both groups and ensure communities are protected during challenging times. To date, Pastor Alexander has hosted over 150 of these functions, bridging the gap and encouraging collaboration. Through his coordination with the FBI, the Bureau has been able to meet with community members to discuss public safety concerns and provide presentations on important topics such as civil rights and hate crimes, sextortion, human trafficking, and elder fraud. He also organized weekly food giveaways, community block parties, and youth nights addressing topics like gun violence, gangs, and drugs.

“Senior Pastor Moses Alexander’s efforts to establish a solid foundation of trust and transparent communication channels among the citizens of Grand Rapids, law enforcement, and the FBI will have a long-lasting positive impact on the community,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, special agent in charge of the FBI in Michigan. “The FBI’s primary objective is to assist the public, and Pastor Alexander aims to spread this message to the community. By fostering a bridge of trust, the community is now more comfortable approaching the FBI and reporting crimes, which enables the FBI and the law enforcement community to control threats, combat criminal activities, and safeguard the American people. Pastor Alexander’s unwavering dedication to the community, especially among African American youth, has earned him the utmost respect. His continued partnership with the FBI inspires all those who strive to make a positive impact in their community.”

“I love God, my family, and my community, that is why my wife and I care about the outcome for peace and harmony with law enforcement—partnering with local, federal, and state agencies,” said Senior Pastor Moses Alexander. “So that’s why we are involved, to better our community, our city and state. We just like doing our part.”

Director Wray hosted the 2024 DCLA winners in a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters on April 19th, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in keeping our shared communities safe. These partnerships—as exemplified by the breadth of the work by the DCLA recipients—have led to a host of crime prevention programs that protect the most vulnerable in our communities, educate families and businesses about cyber threats, and work to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods.

Pastor Alexander will receive his award again in a private ceremony in Grand Rapids.

Learn more about the Director’s Community Leadership Award program, the FBI’s general outreach efforts, and the Detroit Field Office online.