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ELD ERIC THOMAS
Pastor
Member Since: 09-25-1978
Born on February 13, 1968, his musical gift was immediately demonstrated at age 3. He began playing tunes by ear before receiving formal piano lessons. God inspired him to write his first song at the age of 4, entitled, “A Man Called Jesus”. His mother, Eleanor Thomas, raised him and his five siblings in the fear and admonition of the Lord. He was taught to always put God first in his life.
Elder Thomas is a product of Greater Harvest Baptist Church where he has been a lifetime member. He began his spiritual growth under the leadership of the late Rev. Henry Bracken. At age 7, under the direction of his grandmother, the late Mildred Cole, he played the piano for the Sylvia Boddie Youth Choir at Greater Harvest. He was inspired and trained by two great Ministers of Music, the late Dr. Robert E. Wooten Sr. and the late Professor Joseph Henderson. He began taking music lessons at 9 years old from Dr. Wooten, and later studied classical music under Professor Felix Gang at Roosevelt University. Elder Thomas has been an organist at Greater Harvest even before his feet could comfortably touch the organ peddles. He sought God early and was filled with the Holy Ghost at the age of 12. He was officially appointed as Minister of Music under the leadership of one of our former pastors, the late Rev. A.C. Coleman. He renders his talents to all three choirs, Sylvia Boddie Youth Choir, Young Adult Choir, and Radio Choir.
Elder Thomas is an accomplished anointed musician, composer and producer. He has shared his talents with such groups as the Wooten Choral Ensemble, Walter Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago, Mark Hubbard and the United Voices for Christ, The Chicago Mass Choir, The African American Religious Connection Mass Choir, Dennis Cole and the NU City Mass Choir, and Reginald McCracken and the Voices of Praise. He has worked as an organist for various churches including St. Sabina Catholic Church under the leadership of Father Pfleger, Fellowship Baptist Church under Rev. Cay Evans, First Church of Deliverance under the leadership of the late Rev. Eugene Gray and the late Rev. Harold D. Porter and Sweet Holy Spirit Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Larry Trotter. He has also accompanied such artists as Richard Smallwood, Donnie McKlurkin, Jennifer Holliday, Clifton Davis, Kirk Franklin, The Barrett Sisters, Dorothy Norwood, Tremaine Hawkins, Darryl Coley, Yolanda Adams and the late Thomas Whitfield. He has traveled throughout the United States playing at the White House as well as in foreign countries including Switzerland, Israel, Sweden, and Canada.
Even as a musician, Elder Eric Thomas has always had a heart for his church. He has chaired many programs and special drives to help edify the body of Christ both spiritually and financially. He is known for thinking “big” and “outside of the box”. He puts no limit on God and is a strong believer in God’s favor for those who obey his word. He also has a passion for reaching out to hurting people.
Answering God’s call to the ministry, Elder Thomas was ordained on February 28, 1999. He was appointed as Assistant Pastor of Greater Harvest M.B. Church under the leadership of our late Pastor, Rev. Robert L. Polk. Elder Thomas was a faithful and humble Assistant Pastor until Rev. Polk made his transition. Elder Thomas was officially elected as Pastor of Greater Harvest M.B. Church on February 21, 2007. He is husband to First Lady Tasha Thomas, and the proud father of four beautiful girls: Erica, Ariana, Kayla, and Madison.
“Eyes have not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of men the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Corinthians 2: 9.
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SIS. TASHA THOMAS
1st LADY
Member Since: 09-17-1995
(Biography not available)
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REV. JOE L WARD Sr.
Assistant Pastor
Member Since: 08-01-1972
Reverend Joe L. Ward joined Greater Harvest in October of 1972 under the leadership of Rev. Henry Bracken. He has been "Saved, Sanctified and Filled" with the Holy Ghost for many years. Eler Ward has been married for over 55 years to Mother Ida Ward.
He worked in many area of the church, especially as a dedicated Deacon, until he was called to preach and later elevated to be the Assistant Pastor.
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MIN. CHARLES BRADLEY Jr.
Member Since: 09-08-1966
(Biography not available)
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ELD Geraldine Brothers-Walton
Member Since: 01-20-2009
(Biography not available)
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MIN. EZZARD CHARLES II
Member Since: 04-15-1994
(Biography not available)
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ELD Anthony T Coleman
Associate Minister
Member Since: 09-12-2010
The Youngest of three children Rev Anthony T. Coleman has a passion for ministry and a love for God’s people, He is looking forward to serving in every capacity that he can to complete the call that God has ordained for him. He is well equipped to serve God’s people he is Certified in Stewardship & Evangelism From the National Baptist Convention under the direction of Pastor Steven J. Thurston Jr. As well as Certification in Christian Education from the Progressive National Convention.
In his previous years of ministry Rev. Coleman received God’s call to the ministry at the tender young age of 16 at The Big Zion M.B. Church, under the leadership of his grandfather J.L. Coleman, at Big Zion Rev. Coleman received the foundations of what ministry truly was. He remained faithful until even after his grandfather’s death when the Lord sent him out to utilize the tools the Holy Spirit had birthed inside him. In September of 2003 Rev. Coleman was Licensed to preach the gospel at the age of 19 from the Living To Live Again Church Baptist, under the leadership of Pastor Darryl E. Yancy where he had been a member and was in the forefront of ministry, where he served on various Ministries, and was excising his spiritual gifts, as well as one of the founding and establishing members.
In 2004 Rev. Coleman was called to serve at the New Cananland Baptist Church, where he served in the capacity of Dean of Christian Education and Minister of Music. It was here when Rev. Coleman joined in conjunction with the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Chicago-land Vicinity, under the leadership of Pastor Walter P. Turner III. Under serious council by the current president Rev. Coleman was pushed to pick up the torch and begin a Young Division of the conference to be named “The Joshua Movement Young Ministers Alliance of Chicago and Vicinity.” This ministry main focus is; Street Ministry, Equipping, Enhancing and Educating, Young Ministers in the focus of real ministry.
Continuing with the call on his life Rev. Coleman joined Nehemiah Urban Ministries in 2007 to take on the role Assistant To The Musical Director and Pastor of Special Events, here Rev. Coleman valued the meaning of True Ministry, which has led him to the Church he calls home Greater Harvest M.B. Church under the leadership of the Elder Eric Thomas where he has been serving since 2009 on the ministerial staff.
Rev. Coleman is currently enrolled at Harold Washington College where he is on the road to graduation set for May of 2014 with a degree in General Education Studies. To add to his already achieved Bachelor of Theology Degree from G’More & Agape Theological Institute.
Rev. Coleman truly has a heart to do God’s will and a heart for God’s people. Rev Coleman continues to do what Jesus told us to in the book of Matthew the 28 chapter “Go ye out into the world and spread the Gospel"
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MIN. F. KARLOS DAVIS
Associate Minister
Member Since: 06-07-09
(Biography not available)
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REV. EFREM L FELTON
Associate Minister
Member Since: 12-24-1995
Efrem Lamon Felton was born April 29th, 1968 to Mary Lee Felton and James Reese in Chicago, Illinois. He was raised by his Grandmother Lula Mae Williams. Efrem was born and raised in holiness at a young age at Greater Little Rock; The Lord’s Church under the leadership of Pastor Elder Leroy Davenport.
Pastor Davenport appointed Efrem to be the youngest Deacon at the church where her served as Chairman and secretary of the Jr. Deacon Board at the age of twelve years old. Efrem has also served as the Men’s day chairman.
Elder Felton was chosen to serve as Chaplain for the choir and received his last elevation under the leadership of Elder Leroy to serve as Chairman of Deacon Board #3.
One night during a revival, the late Mother Consuela York spoke to the young Efrem and said, “You don’t have nothing; you are not saved, nor do you have the gift of the Holy Ghost. But after tonight, I guarantee to you, you are going to be changed.” Mother York laid her hands on the young Efrem and he received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and speaking of tongues.
In January 1994, Efrem Lamon Felton was called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Elder Leroy Davenport licensed him on January 30, 1994. In that same year he was ordained in May.
Later, the Lord led Elder Felton to join the Greater Harvest Missionary Baptist Church in November of 1995 under the leadership of the late elder A.C. Coleman. Under Pastor Coleman’s leadership, Elder Felton was chosen to teach altar calls, Tarry Services and 6:00 Am Baptisms. He served Pastor Coleman well until the Lord called him home to glory.
Elder Felton served Pastor Polk for more than eight years and is currently serving our present leader the Elder Eric Thomas.
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ELD JOHN E HARGROVE
Associate Minister
Member Since: 12/01/2010
(Biography not available)
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MIN. EARLEE E HUBBARD
Associate Minister
Member Since: 02-17-2009
(Biography not available)
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REV. TYRECE HUNTER
Associate Minister
Member Since: 09-24-1980
(Biography not available)
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ELD Johnell Nicholas
Minister of Music
Member Since: 12-27-2009
(Biography not available)
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REV. BERRY NUTE
Associate Minister
Member Since: 07-09-1995
(Biography not available)
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EVG. CAROLYN PHILLIPS
Associate Minister
Member Since: 09/02/2007
My parents, Elder Isaac Phillips Sr. and Evangelist Dorothy Phillips came here to Greater Harvest M.B.C. in 1949, under the leadership of Reverend Louis Boddie. I accepted Christ at age thirteen. I received the Holy Ghost at age fourteen. I sang in the Young Adult Choir from 1966-1977.
I left Greater Harvest in 1977 to help my Dad with his ministry (Pastor of the Greater Joy M.B. Church) until he went home to be with the Lord in July 2007. I served there as Pastor Phillip’s personal nurse. I took care of the pulpit, sang in the choir and served in the kitchen. I was also Elder Phillip’s personal secretary. After he became ill, I was put in charge of the services.
I accepted my calling to preach the Word of God. Elder Phillips licensed me as an Evangelist January 27th, 2007. After Pastor Phillip’s transition, the Lord led me back home to Greater Harvest M.B. Church where I have been serving under Pastor Eric Thomas. I was ordained to preach by Pastor Thomas on January 25th, 2009.
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ELD JOHN E PICKETT
Associate Minister
Member Since: 01-01-1967
(Biography not available)
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ARZELIA SHELBY
Associate Minister
Member Since: 05-23-2010
(Biography not available)
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EVG. VENETIA G SHELLS
Evangelist
Member Since: 02/10/2008
Evangelist Venetia Shells received her license from Monument of Faith church in 1994. She later joined Greater Harvest MBC in 2008.
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MIN. DEMETRIOUS THOMAS
Member Since: 09-25-1990
(Biography not available)
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DARIUS WALKER
MINISTER
Member Since: 03/18/09
(Biography not available)
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SIS. THELMA A CHAVERS
Trustee/Auxiliary President
Member Since: 01-01-1963
(Biography not available)
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DEA. RONALD HALL Sr.
Trustee/Deacon
Member Since: 01-14-1996
(Biography not available)
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MIN. CHRISTOPHER D JONES Sr.
Trustee Board Chairman
Member Since: 03-01-1983
(Biography not available)
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SIS. DONNA JONES
Trustee
Member Since: 09-25-1982
(Biography not available)
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SIS. ROCKEAL C JONES
Admin Assistant
Member Since: 04-01-1965
(Biography not available)
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BRO. JOHN E SMITH Jr.
Trustee
Member Since: 01-01-1987
(Biography not available)
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SIS. BEVERLY A STEWART
Trustee
Member Since: 06-01-1980
(Biography not available)
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SIS. ANGELA THOMAS
TRUSTEE
Member Since: 09-25-1990
(Biography not available)
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SIS. PATRICIA E WALTON
Trustee
Member Since: 08-28-1960
(Biography not available)
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DEA. FREDERICK THOMAS Sr.
DEACON BOARD CHAIR
Member Since: 01-01-1962
(Biography not available)
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LORI WAINWRIGHT
Events Coordinator
Member Since: 11/25/2007
(Biography not available)
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SIS. MICHELLE N VAUGHN
Member Since: 06-06-2010
I joined Greater Harvest on June 6, 2010. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. Since my time at Greater Harvest I have become the Executive Administrative Assistant to Pastor Eric Thomas, worked with the Children's Ministry and sing in the choir. I love my GH family and I am so very thankful God has placed me here.
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