A three-day celebration for one of Chicago’s most distinguished spiritual leaders and community activists, Reverend Paul L. Jakes, will culminate on Sunday, Nov. 19 with a distinguished speaker and outstanding music.
The 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning service will include a powerful and thought-provoking message from the keynote speaker Activist Attorney Thomas N. Todd. Todd is a lifelong spokesperson for civil rights and a legendary orator. He has received hundreds of awards and honors for his numerous achievements, as well as being the “first” to achieve several of his career accomplishments. He is recognized as the first person to have established an Civil Rights Office in a local United States Attorney’s Office in the United States. To his credit he was also the first full-time Black law professor at Northwestern University. Todd was also president of the Chicago chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and served as president of Operation PUSH.
Jakes, who has been described as a “Warrior Minister,” is the senior pastor of New Tabernacle of Faith Church, located at 531 North Kedzie St. in Chicago. He is being recognized for his 26 years of service to the church and to the community.
Pastor Jakes continues to be someone people seek out to champion battles against police brutality and other injustices in the community. He is equally recognized for his community and political activism as he is for his spirit-filled message from the Word of God. He has worked at Operation PUSH, served as the president of the Westside branch of the NAACP in 1997, and once ran for mayor of Chicago, as well as in various other public service capacities.
New Tabernacle of Faith Church began their anniversary celebration for Jakes on November 15 with Reverend Dr. Ronald K. Beauchamp, pastor of Bethel New Life Church in Wheaton, followed by Bishop Gerald Anderson on Nov. 16, pastor of Greater Bethel Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. Both ministers were accompanied by their choirs and spoke from the Scriptures in St. Matthew 16:16-19 on the topic of “Maintaining stability during these unstable times.”
The church invites the public to join them and the invited guests — City aldermen, community leaders and his mentor, Congressmen Danny Davis — at this free event to make this a memorable event for Rev. Paul L. Jakes.
A wishing well will be available to receive donations.
