James Meeks

Reverend James T. Meeks is the founder of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, which has been recognized as one of the fastest growing megachurches in the United States. Starting with 125 members in 1985, under Reverend Meeks’ leadership, Salem has grown to a congregation of 9,000 members around the country.

In 2005, Pastor Meeks led Salem in the building of the House of Hope, 10,000 seat community and worship center on the South Side of Chicago. Throughout his life, Pastor Meeks has served the needs of the people whether it was through his work as an Illinois State Senator, community organizing events in the streets of Chicago or from the pulpit every Sunday morning. He is the author of two books, “How to Get out of Debt and Into Praise,” and “Life-Changing Relationships”. In January of 2023 Pastor Meeks retired as Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church and became CEO of the Hope Center Foundation, a Non-profit that is helping residents of the Urban Chicago community to successfully transition out of poverty to living wage and into generational wealth. In May of 2023 Pastor Meeks graduated from Wheaton College with his Master’s Degree in leadership development. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Theology from Moody Bible Institute.

Pastor Meeks’ greatest titles has been husband, father and grandfather to his wife Jamell their four children and five grandchildren.