St. James Ministries was founded on the word of God fully believing that the Bible is the inspired and infallible written Word of God. That there is one God, eternally in three persons, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Believing that the redemptive work of Christ on the Cross provides healing for the human body in answer to believing in prayer and that the baptism of the Holy Ghost, (according to Acts 2:4), and is given to believers who ask for it. We do further believe in the sanctifying power of the Holy Ghost by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a holy and separated life in this present world.
With this strong foundation and leading of the Holy Spirit St. James Church of God in Christ (COGIC) was founded by the late Bishop Jesse and Agnes Marie (Goodwin) Campbell in September of 1944. Following the declining health and passing of Bishop Campbell, the anointed mantle was passed on to his son Elder Willie James Campbell.
The next several years would bring mush hardship for the young pastor and congregation, tragedy struck and the ministry was forced to relocate from it’s location at 4147 W. Roosevelt on the Westside of Chicago to the far Southside, to the State Temple at 10920 S. Princeton Ave. While at this location the membership increased to well over 1,000 members.
Working under the great commission to take the ministry to the world, St. James launched ministry focused programs to reach the total man and implemented: substance abuse counseling, Saturday School, youth interactive programs, food and clothes drives, faith-based initiatives with Chicago Public Schools, community re-vitalization programs and much, much more.
The awesome deliverance ministry of Elder W. James Campbell was now in high demanded around the country and internationally. Sunday night broadcast services are known around the chicagoland area as the place to receive an awesome word, great singing by the radio choir and a visitation of the Holy Spirit. This reputation contributed to the growth of St. James which is now Chicago’s largest church under the Church’s of God in Christ.
Early efforts to expand Christian outreach through various platforms were put in place to reach beyond city and state limits, as a result, St. James can now be heard on radio station WGBX on Sundays from 8:00 – 9:00 PM and can be viewed on on StreamingFaith.com with live presentations on Sundays of “A Time to Worship”, “Sunday Night Live,” and on Tuesdays for Tuesday Night Bible Study. St. James has been featured on several Christian Television programs to include The Word Network and numerous Chicago newspapers and magazines as “one of the leading churches in the Chicago land area”.
On September 5, 1999 the culmination of much faith and answered prayers was realized as the membership of St. James marched into its new home at 4445 S. King Drive in Chicago’s famed Bronzeville community. Showing faithful over few things God blessed St. James once again on August 18, 2002 as Pastor Campbell, his wife Lady Lori Campbell, the membership of St. James friends and family arrived at our current location 11750 S. Lowe Ave. in a 13 block motorcade. This masterful miracle (affectionately called the “Judah Complex”) sits on over an acre of land and consists of two parking facilities and multiple buildings.
For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name!
On June 14, 2006, the preaching, pray worrier, Mother Agnes Marie (Goodwin) Campbell went from labor to reward. Mother Campbell stood faithful by her husband’s side at the inception of St. James COGIC in 1944 and served faithful until death. St. James Ministries and the Church of God in Christ at large will forever be mindful of the labor of love made by Mother Campbell in her many years of faithful servitude to God and the church.
With the blessing of the Judah Complex, Pastor W. James Campbell, Lady Lori Campbell and the membership of St. James Ministries is charged to work while it is day to reach the lost at any cost. St. James now offers several new ministries to aid in the spiritual growth and development of people of all age groups, and social standings. With multiple service times on Sunday and a family friendly Bible Study on Tuesday evenings St. James is poised to be great in the City of Chicago and beyond.
For more information on St. James Ministries visit our website at: www.stjamesministries.org
Lady Lori Campbell is an vital part of my life at home and in ministry. Her ideas, knowledge, compassion and heart for God's people help to make St. James a loving and caring place to worship.
Lady Campbell’s desire is to reach the masses to minister the healing word of God to those broken by life. Earlier this year God opened a door for such a ministry to take place. Lady Campbell can be heard on AM 1570 every Tuesday from 5:30 – 6:00 PM with her radio show “Cruisin’ with Campbell”. This dynamic music and ministry program has grown to be a blessing to the people of Chicago and abroad.
