Reverend Jerome Chambers, one of six children was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 11, 1944, to the late Robert and Leila McElroy Chambers.  He was born and raised up in the First Church of Deliverance along with his late parents and dearly departed  siblings:  Rhohemia Chambers Algee (Joe), Geraldine Chambers Dabney (Adolphus), Sonjanetta Chambers Strahan (George),  and Nathaniel Chambers (Verna).  He received associate of Arts Degree from Wilson, Jr. College,  and his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from Chicago State University,  where he also did his graduate work. Rev. Chambers taught in the Chicago Public School System briefly before accepting management positions in three major corporations.

In 1962, our Founder, Rev. Clarence H. Cobbs told him that God had a calling on his life. Rev. Chambers served our church in various capacities: 

 In 1967, Rev. Clarence H. Cobbs, Pastor of the First Church of Deliverance told Jerome to initiate activities for FCD youth and youth in the neighborhood utilizing our Community Center. The First Church of Deliverance Youth Organization was started by Rev, Chambers, to provided activities for our FCD Youth as well as youth in the community.

· On Sunday, May 14, 1978, our Founder Rev. Clarence H. Cobbs asked Rev. Chambers to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Children’s Church; and on that evening at our 11:00 p.m. broadcast, “Preacher” called him out of the audience to pray the “Prayer of Faith. The Jr. Trustee Board was organized in 1956. Jerome was one of the first to be appointed to serve as a Jr. Trustee in the Children’s Church. In 1980, he was appointed to the Senior Trustee Board in the Adult Church.

· In August,1980, he was appointed as the radio announcer for our weekly radio broadcast and served for

· 35 years, until August 22, 2015. On  September 23, 2015, he received a plaque for his outstanding service.

January 9, 1981, as a Trustee, Rev. Chambers was one of the speakers at the Installation Service of his mentor Rev. Eugene D. Gray as Pastor of the First Church of Deliverance. In 1994, he was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Maggie Drummond Day Care Center and in 1995, appointed to Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Maggie Drummond Day Care Center.

In 1994, he was consecrated for the ministry and appointed Minister in Charge of our children church. In 1996, he was ordained as a minister by the Metropolitan Spiritual Churches of Christ, Inc. In 2003, he was appointed Vice President of the First Church of Deliverance  Ministers Board, and later to President. From August 16, 2015, to 2016, he served  as Interim Pastor of the First Church of Deliverance. Rev. Chambers has received numerous awards for his church, professional and community service work and he belonged to numerous organizations and associations.

Rev. Chambers leaves to mourn his wife of 52 years,  Dr. Anna M. Chambers; two children:  Angela Hynes (Frank) and Jerome, Jr.; five grandchildren: Jaila Arianna Chambers, Justin Jerome Hynes, Jillian Michelle Hynes, Jaiden Jerome Chambers, and Ava Monroe Chambers. He leaves one niece (Natalie Chambers), three nephews:  Lothario Lee, Bishop Kevin Jevon Chambers (Devara Jean-Tanai), and Bishop Designate Kenneth Chambers (Tonya) and a host of great nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

If we could use one word to summarize Rev. Jerome Chambers, Sr.’s  life, that word would be FAITHFUL: Faithful to God, Faithful to his family,  Faithful to his church, Faithful to all mankind!