I Ascend: Please share with us, who is Pastor Dwight Buckner Jr?

Pastor Buckner: Well, I am a seventh-generation pastor. I am the son of Pastor Dwight Buckner senior and Angela Buckner, and I am originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have been living in Georgia now for twenty-one years. I am naturally an encourager, author, preacher, and speaker. I am walking in all that God has called me to do.

I Ascend: Tell us a little about your branching off into television. I understand you were a part of Lifetime’s “Married at First Sight” in addition you are an author as well, how did that begin?

Pastor Buckner: I went on “Married at First Sight” as a friend of someone who was on the show. I was a spiritual adviser to that individual. I ended up being used in several different scenes to give counsel and advice. God continued to open up that door for me on that program and so I am grateful for that. In becoming an author, I feel like everybody may not listen to me speak but they may pay attention to something that they read. I try to meet people, wherever they are. Some people are naturally readers. Some people just naturally like to listen. But I wanted to be able to give both an opportunity to hear some of my words, whether that be through listening to a message, or reading a book. Oftentimes, I would write books based upon stuff that I have experienced that had been personal. One of my books, “Breaking the Cycle of Lust,” I have dealt with that in my second publication “5 Things That Every Man Needs, “those are things I feel every man needs at some point. My latest book is “Overlooked,” now both of those subjects are two very different things, but I am thankful that God uses me in both areas. I think God is doing something extremely unique with me as he uses me in mainstream media, and ministry. God has allowed me to be effective in both fields and to do both with a spirit of excellence. I am thankful that he has gifted me to be able to be used in both arenas, media, and ministry, without losing one, and keeping the same standard all around.

I Ascend: What has the process of “Becoming” on this journey been like for you?

Pastor Buckner: Becoming for me has been a number of the events of going through life feeling rejected, ostracized as the outcast. I felt like I was never enough, even though I came from a very strong family. We had high standards. When I got into ministry and began to take it real seriously there was this whole thing of not fitting into people’s circles. Everybody was clicked up and I was just kind of trying to find my place. Where was my place? I went through a phase where God had to show me who I was, so that I would not mimic other people. God gave me what I needed so I wouldn’t run after other people seeking validation. God had to really make it clear to me that he had already confirmed and validated me, that my assignment is extremely significant. I began to understand that though I may not be in those other crowds, this is all in my becoming process. I am the one to speak out to those that feel like they have been left out.

I Ascend: What hardships have you faced in Ascending to where you are?

Pastor Buckner: When I graduated from high school, I graduated with a 1.5 GPA. It was not because I wasn’t smart, but because I was distracted. I spent the next two years trying to enroll into college because I always knew there was better for my life. Eventually, one college accepted me and after I got into that school, I looked at things through different lenses. I began to understand that it does not matter if you feel inadequate, insecure, or rejected, you can overcome all those obstacles and become extremely significant to this world. You can become significant to this nation, or wherever God places you. Overcoming rejection and not feeling like you are not enough was really my niche to continue to grow.

I Ascend: Who served as your Cushion and Support Team during the hard times?

Pastor Buckner: I would first say my mother definitely, she has always believed in me, even when I was on the wrong path. My mother would speak about what was over my life and speak into my future all the time. My loving wife, who has been a great support. My wife likewise has always been there, always believed in me, and always pushed me even when I did not want to hear it. Those are the individuals that have really come alongside to push me.

I Ascend: What have these experiences taught you?

Pastor Buckner: My experiences have taught me that just because one group or one person rejects you it doesn’t mean you will not be accepted somewhere else. It also taught me a great deal of consistency. I think because I was never given a lot of opportunities or a lot of shots that other people were given. I learned how to tap into my own creativity and create what I didn’t get. Now that I have created some things that I did not get, I am getting inquiries from others asking “Hey, what’s your strategy?” “How do you do what you do?” It was all birthed out of rejection. When you go through a certain phase of rejection, you become the David, you learn how to create a sling, and use your stone on the backside of the mountain.

I Ascend: How do you juggle your time with home life while pursuing your ministry?

Pastor Buckner: If the home is not taken care of then nothing outside of the home will be successful. You cannot go out and help the entire world if your house is out of order. I think that is why God allowed me to sit for so long. It was to make sure that before He excelled me that my house was stable. If the house was not taken care of, there was no elevation for me. My elevation is connected to how well my household is run.

I Ascend: Congratulations on Ascending and Standing in your Truth and Pursuing Destiny. What do you want people to remember most about you?

Pastor Buckner: That I was inspiring, that I was an encourager, and that I poured out to those who really needed. At the end of the day, I want people just to say that he inspired me to want to do better.

I Ascend: What word of advice would you give to our readers to have them continue to continue to Ascend in pursuit of their dream, no matter where they are currently?

Pastor Buckner: Failure is not an option. Failure cannot become a choice. It is not in the cards, don’t give up. You do not have a choice, people need you. People are counting on you so keep going.

I Ascend: Please share some of the projects you’re currently working on? How can our readers continue to follow and stay abreast of all that you’re doing?

Pastor Buckner: I have an event that is coming up in March of 2023. The “Hope for The City Conference,” will be held at the Georgia International Convention Center. I will also be starting on a new book in a couple of months. There are some things that I am praying have already come to pass that are in the works in television to soon be announced. Readers can stay abreast of everything I am doing by following me on IG: PastorDwightBucknerJr
Tik Tok: PastorDwightBucknerJr and on Facebook: DwightBucknerJr.
Visit my website: PastorDwightbucknerjr.com