Summary
In 1966 after his honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps where he served the Provost Marshall's Office as a criminal investigator, Léon [Leon Finney Jr.] was invited to join the staff of the late Saul Alinsky's Industrial Areas Foundation as a Community Organizer assigned to The Woodlawn Organization. During his tenure he not only ied TWO to become one of the most influential organizations of its type; he refined the organizing skills which would distinguish him as one of our nations most sought after organizers and advisors on community development, race relations and organizing for the empowerment of marginalize people. Finney helped give the definition to the national Community Development Corporation movement by organizing and leading one of our nation's first such associations, the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. Over the past ihree decades. WCDC has organized the investment of $250 million for mixed income residential and commercial development in Chicago's most economically depressed neighborhoods. Service to others is Finney's highest catling. First and foremost is the pastorate of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. After receiving his doctorate degree Finney, was invited by the World Parliament of Religions to organize the African American Inter Religious Community to participate in its 100 Year Anniversary. Others include: Chicago Plan Commission. Chairman Monitoring Commission for Public School Desegregation, Vice Chairman Chicago Housing Authority, Chairman Chicago Transit Authority Cireen Line Task Force, Chairman Board of Trustees Health Clinic at Altgeld, Chairman Southside YMCA, Chairman African American Legislative Committee of Illinois District ReApportionment. Chairman Finance Committee Jesse Jackson for President, Chairman Chicago Finance Committee to Elect Nelson Mandela President of South Africa, Political Advisor Carol Mosely Braun for U.S. Senate, Volunteer Field Organizer/Coordinator State of Indiana, Obama for President.
She was inducted into the Chicago Senior Citizens Hall of Fame receiving the Iluminary Award from the Chicago Department on Aging (2003). She has also received the Who's Who of American Women's Award (2002-2003); The Keepers of the Dream Award (2001, 2008); The Black Women's Community Leaders Award given by the National Council of Negro Women (1992). In July 2008, she received the Phenomenal Women's Award at the Black Women's Expo, . Dr: [Mildred C. Harris] is featured ia the 2008 edition of Chicago's Black Who's Who for Spiritual Leaders.Rev. McCray's constant mandate rests within his commitment that in order for God's people to experience health, healing and wholeness, "We must create an atmosphere that is conducive for that to happen by empowering and encouraging people to believe that they have a Right. Reason, and a Resource through God for such!" The goals for his outreach ministry takes into account a social application, aiming to develop a sense of proactive purpose, and response concerning the mandate of [Jesus Christ] in challenging God's people to be spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically "made whole."[...] ANNUAL PASTORS SaluteSee the full content of this document
Extract
Second Annual Pastors Salute
Pator J.L. Barrett Jr.
LIFE CENTER C.O.G.I.CPastor T. L. Barrett Jr., has a unique story about his life. As a youth, he was dismissed from several Chicago schools, including Wendell Phillips High School where the teacher shook her hand in his face and said, "T. L. Barrett Jr., you will never amount to anything!"He then returned to the city of his birth, Jamaica, New York and educated himself, worked and intensified his studies in ministry. He was also determined not to let the words "you will never amount to anything" ever come true.In March of 1968, Pastor Barrett, along with his wife, Cleopatra, returned to Chicago, where he humbly accepted the invitation to pastor Mount Zion Baptist Church at 55th and Lafayette Avenue. In 1971, he reorganized and renamed the church. It became The Life Center Church of Universal Awareness.Due to the expansion of his ministries, Pastor Barren then decided it was time to veer away from the little church on a one way street going north and erect a new edifice. On November 2, 1982, Pastor Barrett and the Life Center Church congregation proudly marched into their new "Prayer Palace" at 5500 S. Indiana Ave.In November of 1995, the City Council renamed Garfield Boulevard starting at Lafayette and ending at Indiana as the Honorary Pastor T. L. Barrett, Jr. Boulevard.Pastor Barrett has received two Honorary Doctorate Degrees (Doctorate of Divinity and a Doctorate of Humane Letters) from the University of Monrovia, in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa.Pastor Barrett is a renowned motivational speaker, preacher and a dynamic teacher. He is known throughout the United States, in South Korea, China, South Africa and other places around the weald.Pastor Barrett became known through his radio and television ministries. He was known for his "Wonderful Hour" on radio station WBMX, WJPC, WVON and WYCA, as well as his television ministry on WJYS and WYCA.In 1993 Pastor Barrett, decided to return to and reunite with the Church Of God In Christ denomination and renamed the church the Life Center C.O.G.I.C.Pastor Barrett is now the superintendent of the E. Burns Memorial District as well as an Administrative Assista...See the full content of this document
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