Elder James Lenox, Ascended Pastor
 

 OUR ASCENDED PASTOR . . .

 
 
Elder James E. Lenox was born July 4, 1931.  He is the son of the late Bishop Eleazar and Mamie Lenox.
 
Elder Lenox was united in matrimony with Aldrea  in.  To this union three children were born: Lamont, Kelvin and Annette.   

Elder Lenox was always involved in the religious arena with his father.  At the age of eight, he began singing.  He was one of the original members of the Thompson Community Singers, working closely with the late Chester Robinson and the Westside organization.  His first recording was in 1966, including the well known classic: “I’m One of Them Today”.  Fame followed numerous appearances on the Jubilee Showcase hosted by Sid Ordower featuring the Chicago Pentecostal Chorus which was founded by Elder Lenox.
Working closely with his father, Elder Lenox was appointed Assistant Pastor in 1980.  When Bishop Lenox became stricken with throat cancer, he appointed Elder Lenox as Pastor of Greater Holy Temple C.O.G.I.C. in 1984.
Under his leadership, several programs were instituted at the church for the community, among them the Food Pantry Program, Clothing Give-Away Program, Summer Tutoring Program and the Bible  School.  Elder Lenox a loyal supporter of the late Nancy Jefferson had a great concern for community affairs.  He was a counselor for teen-aged youth and had a great understanding of their problems.  He had an authentic and trustworthy relationship with the youth in his church and within the community.  Elder Lenox was respected for his magnanimous character and honest approach.  He has also ministered in  Sweden and  Haiti under the National Mission President of the  Church of  God in Christ, Bishop Carlis Moody, Sr. 

Elder Lenox served as Administrative Assistant at large to Bishop John I. Cobb, Co-Dean of the Southern Illinois Ministerial Institute, Co-Chairman of Southern Illinois Corresponding Secretary, Superintendent and Founder of the Bishop E. Lenox District, Regional Coordinator of the African American Religious Connection Inc., and Board member of the Chicago Gospel Fest.
He was one of the leading singers in the  Church of  God in Christ under the late Bishop L.H. Ford, as well as a National Evangelist.  His name is synonymous with his original recording of the hit record “God Has Been Good to Me, I Won’t Complain”. 
Elder Lenox departed this earthly life on August 4, 2001, leaving his son Elder Lamont Lenox to continue the legacy.  Elder Lenox will most known for being fair, honest, steadfast and unmovable in his belief for what was right.  He loved the Word and his people.  He had a burden for souls and was always concerned about the spiritual growth of the people.

 Elder James Lenox’s Favorite Quotation:

“Everyday Above The Ground Is A Good Day, So Don’t Complain”