Our History
The Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PTMAN) is a faith-based alliance committed to unity, collaboration, and community transformation across Proviso Township and surrounding communities. Established in the 1980s, PTMAN was founded by Bishop Dr. Claude Porter to strengthen connections among clergy and community stakeholders, and to build a coordinated faith-based network that supports community needs through collaboration, civic partnerships, and public engagement.
PTMAN was established to help churches and community leaders work together as a unified presence, ensuring the community has a trusted bridge between residents, service providers, and those elected or appointed to serve. Over time, PTMAN expanded beyond being seen as a clergy-only organization by becoming a broader alliance of leaders and partners working to address issues impacting families and neighborhoods, including youth development, community safety, health equity, senior support, and community empowerment.
In May 2015, PTMAN entered a renewed chapter of restructuring when Bishop Dr. Reginald J. Saffo, PhD, was appointed as the organization’s new Chairman, with Bishop Dr. Claude Porter serving as Chairman Emeritus. Under Bishop Saffo’s leadership, PTMAN strengthened its township-wide presence, expanded community partnerships, and advanced its community engagement and impact.
Leadership and Legacy
Honoring the foundation and leadership that continues to strengthen PTMAN today.
Bishop Dr. Reginald J. Saffo, Ph.D.
Chairman
Bishop Dr. Reginald J. Saffo, Ph.D., is a transformative faith leader, community strategist, and coalition builder whose work bridges the sacred and the civic. As chairman of the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PTMAN) since May 9, 2015, Bishop Saffo has led with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment to community well-being. His leadership is marked by clarity, consistency, and compassion, strengthening PTMAN’s credibility across Proviso Township and beyond. Known for both his spiritual depth and practical leadership, he is a respected voice throughout faith communities, school systems, government agencies, and grassroots networks.
Since assuming leadership of PTMAN, Bishop Saffo has guided the organization out of dormancy and into a period of renewed purpose and visibility. He strengthened its internal structure, unified the clergy across denominations, and positioned PTMAN as a credible, organized faith-based presence in community and civic spaces. His leadership reflects a belief that churches must be active, aligned, and prepared to respond to real needs with consistency and care.
Under his chairmanship, PTMAN has grown into a mission-focused alliance with a reputation for organized leadership and meaningful outcomes. He has expanded PTMAN’s engagement with youth, families, churches, and civic partners while emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and presence. His work has strengthened PTMAN’s role as a trusted advocate, outreach partner, and faith-based leadership development hub.
Bishop Saffo is the founder and chancellor of UFCI Bible College, an accredited, non-denominational, post-secondary instructional institute. He is also the founding pastor of United Faith Missionary Baptist Church, originally located in Maywood and now based in Westchester, Illinois, where he continues to serve with humility and excellence.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Bishop Saffo’s leadership is grounded in service, honor, and community responsibility. He holds both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Doctorate of Philosophy, bringing academic excellence and theological insight into every space he leads.
His personal motto is more than a phrase; it’s a call to action: Bringing the neighbor back to the hood.
Bishop Dr. Claude Porter
Chairman Emeritus
In Memoriam
We honor the life and legacy of Bishop Dr. Claude Porter, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of PTMAN, who passed on December 30, 2025. We are grateful for his years of service and leadership. We will advance a shared vision of unity, service, and community impact.
Bishop Dr. Claude Porter served as the founding chairman of the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network. He was the architect of its original vision, establishing PTMAN as a collaborative alliance of pastors committed to community advancement. His leadership helped formalize the organization’s structure and mission, with a focus on integrity, succession, and local impact.
He brought together clergy from across Proviso Township with a shared commitment to accountability and service. He emphasized the importance of building institutions that could last beyond any one person and structured PTMAN to reflect that long-term vision.
In 2015, Bishop Porter stepped down from his leadership role and named Bishop Dr. Reginald J. Saffo as PTMAN’s incoming chairman and Bishop Dr. Teague as executive director, ensuring a strong, clear transition rooted in the same values and purpose he originally cast. Bishop Porter remained Chairman Emeritus until his passing.
He was also the founder and overseer of Proviso Missionary Baptist Church and established the Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA), both based in Maywood, Illinois. These institutions continue to serve as beacons of support, equity, and empowerment for thousands of families.
Bishop Porter was a respected strategist, community organizer, and advisor to leaders at every level of government. His mentorship extended to village officials, county commissioners, state lawmakers, and national figures, including President Barack Obama. His approach to leadership was grounded in consistency, accountability, and results, with a focus on institution-building rather than individual recognition.
His passing leaves a tremendous void, but his vision, institutions, and leadership continue to shape lives and communities across Proviso Township and beyond. This summary reflects only a portion of Bishop Porter’s remarkable legacy.
Our Mission
PTMAN (Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network) is a faith-based organization committed to grassroots community transformation. Our mission is to support and strengthen collaboration among faith leaders, community agencies, and civic partners to improve community outcomes and promote long term stability.
Through strategic engagement, advocacy, and community programming, PTMAN works to address systemic challenges that impact our communities, including youth violence prevention, school safety, youth development, healthcare disparities, senior support, and political and policy awareness.
To bridge the communication gap between the community and all those who are elected or serve the community at large, with sustainable contributions of resources that are congruous with community prosperity.