Henry Lyons
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Henry Lyons (born 1942) was President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. from 1994 to 1999. In his early life he was raised by his grandfather, a Deacon named Booker T. Lyons. His own father had a more checkered past and a minimal role in his childhood. From 1962 to 1964 Lyons studied at Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, and that he entered the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. In the 1960s he was active as a preacher in the South and married Patricia Demons (now Tiggler).
In 1970, he moved to Cincinnati and in 1972 he gained a more important position in St. Petersburg, Florida. Then in 1977 he became vice president of the Florida General Baptist Convention. He had also started a new marriage in the 1970s with Deborah Lyons; the marriage would be his longest lasting. In 1994, Lyons became President of the National Baptist Convention USA Inc. He pledged to "Raise a Standard" and overcome the difficulties caused by the previous president's support of Mike Tyson in his rape case. His period saw a great deal of activity. He established a Unified Program and was known as a charismatic speaker. However in many respects he would exacerbate, rather than diminish, the difficulties of the organization.
Although his connections to charity and business initially seemed to be an asset, it would prove to be a strong liability for all concerned. From the beginning of his ministry, Lyons had problems concerning adultery and financing. His first marriage had ended due to adultery and his marriage to Deborah had similar problems. His business transactions did not always adhere to the limits of legal restraint, and he was tried for tax evasion, embezzlement, and fraud in 1998. He initially claimed there was a racial motivation for the charges, but the proceedings of his trial and his plea agreement dampened the enthusiasm of those who maintained his innocence. A Reverend E. V. Hill insisted he could not get a fair trial, but conceded he might be a better minister in prison. Reverend Lyons himself also conceded the "inappropriate relationship" with Bernice Edwards and his divorce from Deborah was finalized in 2003. Later in 2003, he was released on probation and returned to preaching.
