Rev. Bill Minson’s path from the Bronx to becoming one of the nation’s most trusted spiritual responders is a journey shaped by faith, endurance, and a relentless desire to serve people in their hardest moments.
Born and raised near Yankee Stadium, Minson grew up at the cultural crossroads of New York City, surrounded by performers, laborers, and families whose daily struggles and triumphs shaped his earliest understanding of community, resilience, and compassion.
Long before he was known as “Chaplain Bill,” Minson was immersed in the entertainment world. His career began on the road with Ringling Brothers, where he learned the demands of constant travel and teamwork. He later worked at the Apollo Theater, handling advertising and public relations for one of the most iconic stages in American history and engaging with artists whose influence stretched far beyond Harlem.
It was at the Apollo that Minson met civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, a connection that led to national outreach, media work, and expanded responsibilities. He eventually made history as the first Black agent at the powerhouse talent agency ICM, representing major clients and appearing on national programs such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Despite the success and visibility, Minson felt an unmistakable pull toward something deeper.
“The entertainment world was exciting,” he later said, “but it wasn’t the end of what God intended for me.” Gradually—and not without hesitation—he turned toward ministry, mentoring young people in New York and Los Angeles and urging them to pursue education, discipline, and strong character.
That calling placed him in Manhattan on September 11, 2001. Just two days after the attacks, Minson was sworn in as a chaplain for the American Red Cross, a moment he describes as the beginning of his life’s true mission. “It felt like God placed me there for a reason,” he recalled. “The question wasn’t why, but what now?”
When Red Cross recovery operations ended, Minson continued his work with the Salvation Army. Since then, his chaplaincy has taken him across the country to communities shattered by mass violence and profound loss, where his steady presence offers comfort when words are no longer enough.