Jerald January, Sr. presently serves as Senior Pastor of Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago, Illinois, where under his pastoral leadership; the congregation has grown from 250 to 1200+ members.

He is also President of Jerald January Ministries, which includes preaching, teaching and leading church and community development institutes. The Urban Block Party is just one of the projects he spearheaded as part of a nationwide campaign for community outreach.

He is the founder and CEO of Cool Springs Publishing, Inc. and has written several books. In 1994, Zondervan Publishing asked Rev. January, to write his autobiography entitles “A Messed Up Ride Or A Dressed Up Walk.” In 1996 he authored a book published by Cool Springs Publishing, which deals with the issue of racial division in American churches entitled “A Second Time.” His most recent publication includes a volume series entitled “Life Advance Curriculum.” Currently volumes 1 & 2 have been published and the remaining 5 will be released within the next year.

The Mission Statement of Jerald January Ministries speaks to his desire to see the Body of Christ fulfilling its roll in this nation:

“Jerald January Ministries exists to deliver the life changing message of the Gospel to individuals of all ages, cultures and economic categories, challenging the Body of Christ to live out Christ’s command to “love one another”, and encourage the church to serve its generation.”

Before founding January Ministries, Rev. January served 4 years as the USA Director for Compassion International, where he directed the development of Compassion’s Ministry to thousands of children and youth in Urban and Rural areas of the United States as well as on Native American Reservations in New Mexico and Arizona.

Rev. January worked 18 years with Inner-City Youth and Community Ministries in Chicago and Denver. He entered the Ministry in 1976. Some of his positions included, Vice President-Youth Ambassador for Christ, Ferris State University; Youth Director of Calvary Baptist Church and Sound of Praise Church of Chicago, Illinois, where he counseled teens, parents and was Alternative Activity Coordinator. He also acted as a jail counselor to inmates in Chicago City Jails.

Upon moving to Denver in 1985, Rev. January served as Associate Pastor and Youth Director of East Denver Church of God, teaching and counseling youth as well as doing pre-marital counseling. In 1999 he became the coordinator, mentor and facilitator for Common Ground, Denver, coordinating programs and activities between youth, schools and churches in the Denver Metropolitan area.

During this time he also served as Associate Pastor of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Aurora, Colorado, member of the Board of Directors for Denver Youth for Christ and Program Director for Street Smart, an inner-city youth development organization.

Rev. January has worked extensively in the media, owning and operating the Matrix Group, (a consulting group) in Denver, Colorado. As an entrepreneur, he has provided consulting in racial diversity cross-cultural development, marketing, advertising, promotions and specialized media development.

Rev. January’s education includes a degree in visual communication from Ferris State University in Michigan. While in college, he was Host and Producer for WFRS’s “Song of Praise Show.”

From 1978 -1984, he Co-Hosted and Co-Produced a gospel program and from 1989-1991 was the Host, Co-Producer and Writer for the “New Visions” television show, KUBD-TV .

Rev. January is a highly requested motivational and ministry speaker and speaks to a wide range of audiences across the country.

Rev. January and his wife Jerra are the proud parents of five children and two grandchildren. They currently reside outside Chicago, Illinois.