Reverend Dr. D. Edward Chaney was installed as the 1oth Pastor of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church on November 22, 2025. He is the son of the late Reverend Dr. William E. Chaney and Dr. Florence Williams Chaney. He is a 1987 graduate of Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina. After graduation, He entered the United States Navy where he served actively for four years. After being honorably discharged, he matriculated to Limestone College in Gaffney, SC where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Responding to the call by God into the gospel ministry, Doctor Chaney graduated from Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, SC with the Master of Divinity degree. In May of 2014, Doctor Chaney received the Doctor of Ministry degree focusing on Collaborative Leadership in the 21st Century from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio with an approved dissertation, “To Encourage Youth to Effectively Engage in Ministry at Second Baptist Church.”
Doctor Chaney’s present memberships and affiliations are numerous including:
- Appointed by Governor Brian Sandoval to the Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs (2018- 2022) Former Chairman
- Sunset Subcommittee of the Legislative Commission State of Nevada – Interim 2020 and Interim 2022
- Board Member of the Las Vegas Urban League (2011-Present). Immediate Past Chairman (2011-2015)
- Board of Directors for the Nevada Health Center (2014-Present).
- Executive Board for the Nevada/California Interstate Missionary Baptist Convention (2009-2025). Convention President (2012-2018)
- Executive Board Member for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc (2012-2024).
- Assistant Parliamentarian for The National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. (2015-2024).
- Silver Life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Doctor Chaney’s past memberships and affiliations are numerous including:
- Past Chairman of the Religious Affairs Committee-Las Vegas Branch NAACP (2009-2010)
- Executive Board for the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina (2005-2008).
- Instructor for the South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education. (2003-2006)
- Adjunct Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Benedict College, Columbia, South Carolina (1999-2001).
- Clinical Chaplain at the Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina (2001-2008).
- Past Trustee Board Member for Olive Crest (Strong Families, Safe Kids) (2018-2019)
In March 2007, Doctor Chaney studied Biblical Archeology at the Holy Land Institute in Jerusalem, which afforded him the unique opportunity to travel to biblical and historical sites, to preach and study.
Doctor Chaney is the former pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church in Eastover, South Carolina, Springhill Baptist Church in Eutawville, South Carolina, the Historic Mount Pisgah Baptist Church of Orangeburg, South Carolina.
In 2008, Doctor Chaney was appointed by former Gov. Mark Sanford to the Orangeburg Mental Health Board, Orangeburg, South Carolina.
From January 1, 2009 - August 27, 2018, Doctor Chaney served as Senior Pastor of the 2500-member Second Baptist Church of Las Vegas, NV. He led the congregation of Second Baptist Church through a half-million-dollar sanctuary and vestibule renovation which included: the installation of new multimedia technology, new carpeting and pew refurbishment, vestibule redesign to include a welcome center, and bookstore. With his guidance and direction, Second Baptist acquired numerous properties for future expansion, and it was led through structural reorganization which is fostered by leadership training and development, biblical teaching, and doctrinal education. He provided ethical leadership for the church and community. He provided and implemented ministry vision of commitment to communicating Christ in the community. He provided spiritual guidance for congregation and program direction for ministries. He developed and implemented programs of service which enhanced the holistic needs of the congregation and community. He maintained internal, outreach, and evangelism programs. From January 2019 to July 2025 Dr. Chaney became the Founder and Senior Pastor of The Renaissance Fellowship of Las Vegas, Nevada. In July 2025 Dr. Chaney became the Senior Pastor of The Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Doctor Chaney had the privilege of delivering the Devotional Message to thousands at the September 2010 gathering of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc in Kansas City, Missouri.
On April 17, 2011, Doctor Chaney retired after 22 years of service (three branches of military-Navy, Army, Airforce) as a Chaplain (Captain) in the United States Air Force Reserves at Nellis Air Force Base- Las Vegas, Nevada. Doctor Chaney, a constituent of the Honorable Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had the honor of serving as the distinguished guest Chaplain for the opening session of the U.S. Senate in Washington D.C. on October 6, 2011.
In May of 2012, Doctor Chaney delivered the opening prayer for the First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama and in November of the same year he had the honor of delivering the opening prayer for the President of the United States Barack H. Obama.
From 2012-2018, Doctor Chaney served as President of the Nevada/California Interstate Missionary Baptist Convention.
Doctor Chaney is a 2012 Recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Barack Obama.
Doctor Chaney is the 2007 Epsilon Omega Chapter recipient of the Charles Young Military Service Award for his outstanding military service and the 2012 Kappa XI Chapter Citizen of the Year Award. He is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc (Kappa Xi Chapter), and member of Delta Theta Boule’ of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
Doctor Chaney is married to the beautiful and brilliant former Dr. Avis C. O’Bryant of Augusta, Georgia, a Ph.D. graduate in Public Policy who serves at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is the father of three exceptionally gifted children, Morgan Synclaire, Donald Edward II, and Lawrence William Chaney.
