Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. - Senior Pastor

Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. is Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) since March 1, 1972. Within a matter of months after his appointment he demonstrated an understanding and deep commitment to help TUCC achieve its motto and vision. The motto, "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian", was a phrase coined by his predecessor, the Reverend Dr. Reuben Sheares, and was officially adopted by the congregation shortly after Pastor Wright began his ministry. Trinity United Church of Christ’s membership currently exceeds 8,000 and in May 1997, a new 2,700-seat worship center was dedicated. The membership continues to grow numerically and spiritually with large numbers of members tithing and participating in bible classes. Over 70 ministries are offered to enhance our Christian journey.

Click here to read about Dr. Wright’s talking points for Trinity United Church of Christ its Web site and the Black Value System.

Rev. Otis Moss III
Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ

Rev. Otis Moss, III currently serves as Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ under the leadership of Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.

Prior to joining the pastoral staff at Trinity United Church of Christ, Rev. Moss served as pastor of the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia. After his arrival, Tabernacle was blessed, through Christ, to go from 125 members to over 2100 disciples.

Rev. Moss received his BA in Religion and Philosophy from Morehouse College where he served as Student Government President. During his matriculation at "the House," he was inducted as a Ford Foundation Scholar, named by the NCAA as an All-American Track and Field athlete and graduated with honors.

He continued graduate work at Yale University and was awarded the FTE Benjamin Elijah Mays Scholarship in Religion and the Yale University Magee Fellowship. Rev. Moss is recorded as one of the few African-Americans to ever receive this award in the schools' 300-year history. Rev. Moss graduated from Yale with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Ethics and Theology.

After finishing seminary, Rev. Moss journeyed to Denver, Colorado to pursue a Ph.D. in Religion and Social Change at the University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology, under the tutelage of African-American historian and theologian, Dr. Vincent Harding. While not completing the program due to his call to serve the Tabernacle Baptist Church he maintains a high level academic commitment to research and teaching. He has been Adjunct Professor of Voorhees College, Guest Lecturer for the Interdenomonatial Theological Center, Emory University, Presbyterian College, Paine College, Dillard University, Howard University, Yale, Harvard University and Morehouse College. While in Denver, he continued his ministry to youth and young adults as the assistant to the pastor and Minister of Youth Programs at New Hope Baptist Church. Pastor James D. Peters, D.Min became a mentor to Rev. Moss and inspired in him a love for African-American homiletics and church history.

Rev. Moss has done extensive research in the areas of African-American culture, theology and youth development. Four-G published his first book, Redemption in a Red Light District, in December of 1999. His essays, articles and poetry have appeared in The African American Pulpit Journal, Sojourners Magazine, and the Urban Spectrum. The African American Pulpit Journal recently named Reverend Moss one of the "20 to watch" ministers who will shape the future of the African American church. Belief.Net named Rev. Moss as one of the future religious leaders who will impact the African-American Church. As a result of his commitment to intergenerational ministry and prophetic preaching Rev. Moss has had the honor of speaking at the Hampton University Ministers and Musicians Conference on three occasions. This is largest African American ecumenical conference in the nation. In addition he holds the distinction of being the youngest lecturer ever to present to this body.

His passion for youth and intergenerational ministry led him to create the Issachar Movement, a consulting group designed to bridge the generation gap within churches and train a new generation of prophetic church leadership.

His love for God and young people has led him to speak and preach in churches, seminaries and colleges across the globe; Including places such as South Africa, Bermuda, Puerto Rico and Egypt. Newsweek magazine cited Rev. Moss as one of "God's foot Soldiers' committed to transforming the lives of youth. Currently Rev. Moss serves as a frequent guest commentator on the Naomi Judd New Morning Show on The Hallmark Network He is the husband of Monica Brown Moss a graduate of Spelman College and Columbia University and the son of Dr. Otis (Edwina) Moss, Jr. of Cleveland, Ohio. They have one son, Elijah Wynton Taylor Moss and one daughter, Makayla Elon Moss.

Rev. Barbara A. Heard
Associate Pastor, Pastoral Liaison for Women’s Ministries

Rev. Barbara A. Heard is Associate Pastor and serves as pastoral liaison for the Women’s Ministries. Rev. Barbara Heard received her Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary for Pastoral Studies. Her ministry also includes counseling, individuals and couples, teaching for the Center for African Biblical Studies, and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the past five years, Rev. Heard has been the Co-Chair person of the Women’s Week Committee as well as the Co-Convener of Trinity United Church of Christ’s Women’s Conference. Additionally, Rev. Heard has facilitated women’s empowerment workshops and has preached in churches of other traditions, namely the AME, Roman Catholic, Disciples of Christ, Baptist, and Methodist denominations.

Rev. Michael D. Jacobs
Associate Pastor for Youth and Children

Rev. Michael D. Jacobs has been Associate Pastor for Youth and Children since July 1997. Rev. Jacobs earned his Master of Divinity in June 2001 from McCormick Theological Seminary. As Pastor to the Youth and Children, he is responsible for overseeing youth programs such as Vacation Bible School and the Youth Church as well as providing guidance and support to all the youth ministries. Rev. Jacobs work with the youth of Trinity United Church of Christ takes him beyond the walls of the church into the community. He is representative to Project Ceasefire, the City of Chicago’s ongoing interfaith efforts to stem the tide of violence, Chicago Metropolitan Association’s Youth Ministry Network, Family Ministry Reading Group and a number of other initiatives with a focus on youth.

Rev. Ann Patton
Associate Pastor of Christian Education

Rev. Ann B. Patton is Associate Pastor of Christian Education at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL. Rev. Ann Patton received her Bachelors in Business Administration from Roosevelt University and her Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity. She is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Department of Christian Education, interacting with over seventy ministries. Additionally, Rev. Patton developed the "Children as Stewards" program, introducing children to Stewardship as a concept of Christian sharing from an Afrocentric perspective that partners church, home and community. She has facilitated many retreats and participated in many conferences. Rev. Patton believes that teaching and preaching the Word of God is the vehicle that empowers as well as liberates the people of God to live free. Additionally, Rev. Patton is primarily responsible for coordinating the first Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) Midwest Black Religious Summit on Sexuality Regional Conference 2001.

Dr. Julia M. Speller
Director of Christian Education

Dr. Speller is a Christian educator and consultant with Trinity United Church of Christ. She is primarily responsible for all ministry and staff training, retreat material writing and resourcing. Additionally, Dr. Speller works with all the ministries of Trinity United Church of Christ on projects, conferences, panel discussions, etc.

Dr. Speller currently is an Assistant Professor of Church History at Chicago Theological Seminary. She holds a Ph.D. in the History of Christianity and has numerous publications and papers addressing Christianity, the black church and diversity in the Christian community.

Rev. Reginald W. Williams
Associate Pastor for Social Justice

Rev. Reginald W. Williams, Jr. is Associate Pastor for Justice Ministries. "Rev. Reggie" provides spiritual support, guidance and assistance for the 13 ministries within Trinity's Christian Education Division of Justice. These ministries seek to provide support in various areas of social concern, as well as advocate on the local, state, and national levels for equal opportunities and justice for God's children.

Rev. Reggie has earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University 1995; Doctor of Law (Juris Doctor) University of Wisconsin in 1998; Master of Divinity – The Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. Rev. Reggie performs daily duties as an Associate Pastor, partners in worship services, and preaches in the absence of the Pastor. There is no task more sacred than the liberation of African People. "At Trinity, we seek to live out this task in partnership with God!"

Rev. Stacey Edwards
Associate Pastor for the Singles Ministries and the Drill Team Ministry

Rev. Stacey L. Edwards was appointed the Associate Pastor to the Singles in August of 2002. As Pastor to the Singles, "Rev. Stacey" is responsible for and committed to providing spiritual guidance, support as well as overseeing programs designed to minister to the holistic needs of unmarried men and women who are never-married, divorced, widowed, single parents and same-gender loving. Rev. Stacey also serves as one of the chairs for our Singles Conference which serves as a magnet for Singles throughout the country, provides spiritual direction for the Drill Team Ministries, partners in weekly worship services and provides preachment in the absence of the Senior Pastor. Rev. Stacey Edwards received her Master of Divinity (Cum Laude) from the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry/Biology as well as a Master of Public Health from Indiana University.

Rev. Ramah E. Wright
Associate Pastor for Adolescents (Teens) and Women