Bishop Willie L. Jordan, 66, dies

The congregation at St. Mark M.B. Church Cathedral and the family and friends of Bishop Willie L. Jordan are mourning his passing. He was 66.

Bishop Jordan, the shepherd and spiritual leader of the south suburban Harvey church, died earlier this month. He had been pastor of the church, which started out with fewer than 50 members but grew to a membership of over 8,000 since 1976.

He was also the presiding prelate over the St. Mark Covenant Churches Fellowship.

Jordan got his start in ministry after attending elementary and high school in his hometown of Summit, Mississippi. He attended the Lutheran School of Theology where he received an education degree from the school’s Urban Ministries Institute.

As head of St. Mark, he was instrumental in not only growing the membership but also expanding the church’s ministries. St. Mark established the Willie L. Jordan Community Service Center, St. Mark Professional Medical Center and St. Mark Academy. In 2003, Bishop Jordan’s passion for teaching lead to the establishment of the Bishop Jordan Bible Institute.

His work in the ministry was evidenced, in part, by the countless accolades, commendations and honorariums he was presented with over the years.

Also, Bishop Jordan took his gospel message all around the globe, as he held World Peace Revivals in Canada, Denmark, Germany, Jamaica, Bahamas, Mexico, Israel, Belize, Sweden, Amsterdam and England.

He was esteemed among clergy. And in 2001, he was consecrated as head of 20 churches under the St. Mark Covenant Churches Fellowship.

The St. Mark M.B. Church family remembers their leader as a faithful man of God, a great pastor, teacher, leader, administrator and friend.

Bishop Willie L. Jordan is survived by his wife, Lady Belle Dora Jordan, six children, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a host of other family and friends.

He was laid to rest on Dec. 16 after a spirited homegoing service held at the church.