DeForest Soaries Biography Quotes 15 Report mistakes

Early Life and Calling
DeForest B. Soaries Jr., widely known as Buster Soaries, is an American clergyman and public servant whose career has bridged the worlds of faith, community development, and government. Born in 1951 in the United States, he came of age during an era when the moral authority of the pulpit and the practical demands of public life often intersected. Drawn early to ministry, he pursued rigorous theological preparation and emerged with a reputation for combining pastoral sensitivity with a reformer's drive. That dual commitment to spiritual guidance and civic engagement would define his life's work.

Ministry and Community Development
Soaries became best known in New Jersey as the longtime senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset. Under his leadership, the church became more than a Sunday destination; it evolved into a hub for neighborhood revitalization, education, public health, job readiness, and family services. He championed the idea that a congregation should not only comfort the afflicted but also confront the conditions that create hardship. To translate that belief into action, he helped build affiliated nonprofit and community development organizations capable of financing affordable housing, supporting small businesses, and creating pathways to employment.

Much of his approach rested on forging partnerships among churches, local officials, and private-sector allies. He encouraged clergy peers to adopt strategies that measured results, not just intentions, and he mentored lay leaders who could scale programs beyond a single sanctuary. His ministry's reach extended across New Jersey and into national faith networks that looked to his example when designing their own community strategies.

State Leadership
In 1999, Soaries entered statewide public service when Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed him New Jersey's Secretary of State. In that role, he oversaw a portfolio that touched elections administration, archives and records, arts and culture, and tourism. He brought to the office a pastor's attention to people and a manager's attention to systems, seeking to elevate civic participation and enhance public trust in government processes. When Donald DiFrancesco became acting governor, Soaries continued in the post, working with legislative leaders, county officials, and community advocates to improve coordination between the state and localities.

The move from pulpit to statewide office did not signal a departure from his core mission; rather, it demonstrated his belief that ethical leadership and effective administration belong together. In Trenton he was known for accessibility and for placing citizen experience at the center of policy conversations, especially in areas where government touches daily life.

National Election Administration
After New Jersey, Soaries' public service took on a national dimension. Following the enactment of the Help America Vote Act, President George W. Bush appointed him to the newly created U.S. Election Assistance Commission. As the EAC's first chairman, he worked alongside fellow commissioners such as Paul DeGregorio, Ray Martinez, and Gracia Hillman to help states modernize voting systems, strengthen standards, and improve election administration practices. Soaries consistently emphasized transparency, voter confidence, and practical support for state and local election officials.

He engaged with secretaries of state, county clerks, technologists, and advocacy groups to clarify guidelines and to encourage safeguards that could withstand public scrutiny. His tenure reflected a broader philosophy: the mechanics of democracy matter, and the credibility of those mechanics depends on openness, testing, and accountability.

Financial Empowerment and the dfree Movement
Parallel to his government service, Soaries advanced a nationwide program of financial literacy and personal finance transformation known as the dfree movement. Conceived in his congregation and refined through years of teaching, dfree integrates values, behavior change, and practical tools to help individuals reduce debt, build savings, and pursue long-term stability. The model spread through partnerships with churches, community groups, and civic institutions, and it became a signature contribution of his later career.

Soaries' framing of financial freedom as both a moral and economic imperative resonated across demographics. He encouraged participants to adopt disciplined budgeting, responsible credit use, and goal setting, and he trained local facilitators who could lead classes independent of his direct involvement. His books, curricula, and media appearances amplified the message that financial health is foundational to family resilience and community strength.

Writing, Teaching, and Public Voice
Beyond the parish and public office, Soaries established himself as a sought-after speaker and commentator. He wrote and taught on topics ranging from leadership and civic responsibility to faith-informed approaches to economic mobility. His interviews and essays consistently returned to a few themes: the dignity of work, the power of community institutions, and the need for ethical stewardship in both public and private life.

He often credited colleagues and collaborators for shared successes, acknowledging the labor of church staff, nonprofit partners, and public servants who turned plans into outcomes. In policy forums and faith gatherings alike, he modeled how to navigate complex issues with clarity, candor, and compassion.

Relationships and Influences
Key relationships shaped the trajectory of Soaries' career. Governor Christine Todd Whitman's decision to bring him into state government broadened his platform for civic innovation. Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco maintained that trust, allowing him to continue efforts that required continuity. On the federal stage, President George W. Bush's appointment to the EAC placed him in a collaborative circle with Paul DeGregorio, Ray Martinez, and Gracia Hillman, colleagues who worked with him to interpret a new law and guide nationwide implementation.

Within the faith community, Soaries' partnerships with clergy peers and lay leaders were central to scaling programs. He frequently highlighted the quiet effectiveness of volunteers, deacons, and community organizers who sustained initiatives long after the headlines faded. These relationships formed a network of accountability and support that enabled ambitious goals to translate into sustained service.

Personal Ethos and Legacy
At every turn, Soaries has blended pastoral care with managerial discipline. He is known for listening carefully before prescribing solutions, for preferring data-informed strategies over rhetoric, and for keeping the well-being of families at the center of his work. Whether organizing adoption and foster care support, advocating for transparent elections, or teaching people to live within their means, he linked personal responsibility to systemic opportunity.

His legacy lies in the institutions he strengthened and the people he equipped. Congregants who found housing and jobs, voters who experienced more reliable election systems, and families who gained control over their finances constitute the record of his influence. By treating faith as a mandate for measurable service and public leadership as a platform for integrity, DeForest B. Soaries Jr. has left an enduring mark on church life, civic life, and the ongoing project of community empowerment.

Our collection contains 15 quotes who is written by DeForest, under the main topics: Justice - Freedom - Human Rights - Technology - Management.