Noted Chicago Pastor Saluted as "Minister of the Millennium"

Jet, Jan 17, 2000

Noted Chicago minister the Rev. Dr. Louis Rawls was recently honored as "Minister of the Millennium" at a gala tribute in Chicago.

Rawls, 95, founder and pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, was also celebrated as a pioneer in the ministry and the oldest Black minister in Chicago during the tribute held at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church.

The tribute committee co-hosts included the Rev. Clay Evans, founder and pastor, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church; the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., founder and president Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; Bishop William Ellis, pastor, Apostolic Church of God of Morgan Park; Father Michael Pfleger, pastor, St. Sabina Catholic Church; Rev. Julius Rawls, assistant pastor of Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, and Rev. Arthur Taylor, pastor Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church.

Rev. Evans, who is a member of Rev. Rawls' church, said proudly, "Every preacher needs a preacher, and he is mine."

Evans noted that Rev. Rawls has served as mentor and a source of inspiration for about 90 of the nation's influential ministers.

"We were inspired, motivated and encouraged by him. And anyone who lives almost a century ought to be honored and praised for just longevity, especially a man who has done as much as Dr. Rawls has done to help the people. His ministry has been holistic, body, soul and mind."

"Evans continued, "The least we can do is say `Thank you and God bless you.' Now we encourage him as he has encouraged us. All of us are standing on someone else's shoulders. For every success mere is a predecessor," Evans said.

During the tribute, Rev. Rawls received a letter of congratulations from President Clinton and proclamations from Illinois Governor George H. Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley.

The Chicago City Council also honored Rev. Rawls during its recent meeting.

Rev. Rawls was called and ordained to the ministry in 1932 and founded the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in 1941 with an initial membership of 18. A groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1945, and Rev. Rawls and his congregation moved into the new Tabernacle church in 1946, which was built at a cost of more than $2 million.

He has owned several businesses and is currently the owner of Brown-Rawls Funeral Home, developer of Willa Rawls Manor and the Dr. Louis Rawls Twin Towers, which is under construction.

He and his wife, Willa J. "Baby" Rawls, have been married for 72 years and have three adopted sons, famed singer Lou Rawls, S.B. Rawls and Julius Rawls.