Walter Rauschenbusch (1861-1918) was ordained in 1886 and began work among German immigrants as pastor of the Second German Baptist Church in New York City. He studied economics and theology at Berlin (1891-92) and industrial relations in England, where he became acquainted with the Fabian Society. In 1902 he was appointed Professor of Church History at Rochester Theological Seminary. He was a leading figure in the Social Gospel movement. His writings include 'Christianity and the Social Crisis', 'Christianizing the Social Order', and 'A Theology for the Social Gospel.'

Benjamin E. Mays (1894-1984) was President and Professor Emeritus of Morehouse College. He is co-author with Joseph William Nicholson of The Negro's Church.