OUR PASTOR
Rev. Kim Shelton, born in Washington D.C. and raised in Chicago, Illinois, is a passionate and committed servant leader currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Good News Community Church in Chicago. Her journey in ministry is rooted in a deep commitment to justice, compassion, and community engagement. Rev. Shelton is highly educated, having received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University, a Master of Arts in Education Administration from Governors State University, and a Master of Divinity from the Johnson C. Smith Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (I.T.C.) in Atlanta, Georgia, where she focused on Biblical Studies with a concentration in New Testament Greek. She is pursuing her Ed.D. in Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in an early childhood classroom with a high population of immigrants and diverse students.
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Throughout her ministry, Rev. Shelton has exemplified dedication to community outreach, fostering collaboration, and activating ministries that serve the most vulnerable. She is a justice seeker, continually working to ensure that God’s work is done through acts of service and love. A cornerstone of her ministry includes her involvement in corner prayer, a spiritual practice that brings people together in prayer for the city’s healing and transformation.
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As the former Associate Pastor to Youth at Advocate UCC in Chicago, Rev. Shelton spent seven years nurturing a thriving youth ministry that incorporated creative worship through dance, drama, mime, and music. She also established dynamic Bible study classes, Sunday school programs, and fellowship opportunities to foster a deeper understanding of faith in the younger generation. Rev. Shelton began her journey in ministry at Trinity UCC in Chicago under the guidance of the esteemed Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., where she served in various leadership roles, including Assistant Superintendent of Saturday Bible School, Drama Mime Sponsor, and Confirmation Class Facilitator, as well as an ordained deacon and minister in training. Rev. Shelton’s ministry has taken her to various places, including Atlanta, Georgia, where she was one of the founding members of Sankofa UCC under the leadership of Rev. Derrick Rice and Rev. Susan Mitchell. She also served as a Minister in Training with Community Congregation in Montgomery, Alabama, under the leadership of Rev. Bennie Liggins.
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A strong advocate for collaboration, Rev. Shelton is deeply involved in the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination, serving on several committees within the Chicago Metropolitan Association. Her work embodies the belief that the Church must always actively bring healing and justice to the world. Rev. Shelton’s ministry is grounded in the powerful words of the prophet Micah (6:8): "What does the Lord require of us? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God." Her personal statement on ministry is: “Just do it.” She continues to follow God’s calling, striving to bring justice, mercy, and humility into all her work.
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In addition to her spiritual endeavors, Rev. Shelton is the proud mother of an adult daughter, Makeda P.S. Shelton, who continues to be an important source of joy and inspiration.
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Rev. Shelton's ministry is a testament to her dedication to the Gospel and the people she serves. Through her work, she inspires others to actively engage in the world with love, humility, and a deep commitment to justice