82 YEARS OF HISTORY AND MINISTRY
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GREATER ST. JAMES TEMPLE

Meet Our Team

Dr. Torrance A. Markham, Sr.

Pastor / 1st Jurisdiction Superintendent

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Torrance A. Markham, Sr. has been the pastor of the Greater St. James Temple Institutional Church of God in Christ of North Chicago for 28 years. Under his leadership, in 1997, the Greater St. James Temple Church became one of the pioneering African American congregations in Lake County to partner with PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), becoming an overnight shelter each Monday night (from October thru April) for the homeless community. The church reached out to assist in the rehabilitation of the chemically dependent through its partnership with Gateway Foundation of Lake Villa.

In 2002, a strong partnership was established with the YWCA of Lake County. Programs such as the Summer Camp Program, the Before School Breakfast Club, and the Kid’s Day-Off Program have been a needed support to families in the North Chicago community. Pastor Markham desired to impact the lives of the incarcerated and their families in the community. The church expanded its ministry at the Lake County Jail through Bible studies and worship services, and partnered with Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree, helping to provide hundreds of Christmas gifts for children with an incarcerated parent. In 1998, he partnered with the Nineteenth Judicial Court, Division of Adult Probation to assist clients in fulfilling their time of service to the community.

In 2001, upon seeing the tremendous needs of the North Chicago and Lake County communities, Pastor Markham organized a non-profit faith-based corporation named the Greater St. James Community Development Corporation (GSJCDC) of North Chicago, Illinois. Since that time, the GSJCDC has awarded over $33,000 in financial scholarships to deserving high school and continuing college students in the Lake County community and, in 2009, donated $11,000 to the North Chicago Community High School for new auditorium seats. Through his leadership, the GSJCDC has partnered with local non-profit organizations to distribute free Christmas toys to hundreds of children throughout the community. The GSJCDC united with the former Tabitha Community Services of Chicago to give assistance to thousands affected by domestic violence and homelessness on the west side of Chicago. In 2011, the GSJCDC began a “Readers Are Leaders” program which gives free tutoring in reading, writing and math.

In 2013 and 2017, Pastor Torrance A. Markham, Sr. was duly elected as an alderman for the 5th Ward of the City of North Chicago. In that capacity, he continues to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee, member of the Judiciary Committee and former Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee. He has received certificates from both the City of North Chicago Police Department and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Police Academies. He has received the College of Lake County Harambee Award, the Waukegan Township Drum Major Award, the People’s Voice Most Influential African American Inspirational Award, and Certificates of Appreciation from the former Tabitha House Shelter of Chicago, the Governor of Illinois, and the YWCA of Lake County.

Pastor Markham has served diligently in the Church of God in Christ, Inc. on numerous levels. On a jurisdictional level, he has served as a member of the Finance Committee, Vice-President of the Youth Department, Jurisdictional Assembly Secretary, Ordination Board Secretary, Jurisdictional Secretary, Secretary of the Pastor’s Extension Fund, Vice-Chairman of the Pastors and Elders Council, and District Superintendent. He also received the 1997 Pastor of the Year Award. On a national level, Pastor Markham has served as a member of the Sergeant at Arms for the General Assembly, member of the Constitutional Convention, a Security Marshall, former Director of Missions for Chile for the Church of God in Christ World Missions and an Executive Committee member for the National Pastors and Elders Council of the Church of God in Christ, Inc.


In September 2002, Pastor Markham and the Greater St. James Temple congregation were tremendously honored to entertain the International Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, the late Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson of Memphis, TN. This was an honor that the entire Lake County community has not forgotten. Pastor Markham is married to the lovely Marilyn Lolita Miller Markham and has been highly blessed with ten talented children and three adorable grandchildren.

Pastor Markham can be reached via email at 
pastormarkham@gsjtemple.org.

Lady Marilyn L. Markham

First Lady

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First Lady Marilyn Markham and Superintendent Torrance A. Markham Sr. are the parents of 10  Children, 4 sons and 6 daughters. All of their children have been home schooled for much of their upbringing. Lady Marilyn Markham was saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at the young age of 17 in her senior year of high school. She truly loves the Lord and the Word of God.  She is considered by many as a Bible Scholar.

Lady Markham has labored for the past 27 years in every capacity of women's and children's ministry. She served as the Sunday School superintendent for many years, and in addition taught the Sunshine Band, YPWW, CWC, YWCC, and Purity Class along with numerous bible classes of all ages. She has ministered at retreats, seminars and health workshops over 15 years. Lady Markham has also ministered outside the church walls at a local hospital where she was employed. She was a Certified Lactation Counselor and helped hundreds of women breastfeed for over 25 years. She was also an Obstetric Technician and worked tirelessly in Labor and Delivery assisting the OB doctors with natural deliveries.

Lady Markham is concerned about the whole person and has had her own Health and Wellness Home based business for 14 years. She and her family are proud to reside in North Chicago where they serve.

Lady Markham can be reached via email at ladymarkham@gsjtemple.org


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Elder Reginald Moton

Assistant Pastor, Greater St. James Temple
AIM Chairman, Bishop J.W. Markham District

Bio coming soon!
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Missionary Linda F. Ford

District Missionary, Bishop J.W. Markham District

Bio coming soon!

Deacon's Board


Youth Workers

Sister Milcah Syner
Deacon Lavell Wynn, Sr.
Deacon Jason Hankins
Brother James Markham
Deaconess Michelle Moton
Greater St. James Youth Choir & Youth Workers
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Music Ministry

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James Markham | Minister of Music

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Marisol Markham
Praise Team Director

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MyKenzie Moton
Youth Choir Director

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Deacon Jason Hankins
Men's Choir Director & Keyboardist


Media Ministry

Deacon Jasper Booth
Sister Milcah Syner
Brother Chad Syner
Brother James Markham
Sister Marisol Markham

Outreach Ministries

Deaconess Michelle Moton

Nursing Home Ministry
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Elder Reginald Moton

Lake County Jail Ministry
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Missionary Barbara Tucker

Street Evangelism Ministry
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Church Staff & Ministries

Sister Yolanda Lofton

Mother Sharon Brown

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Hospitality Team

Mother Annie Lewis

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Women's Dept. President

Deacon Odel Metcalf

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Men's Dept. President

Deacon Douglas Lewis

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Usher's Board President

Sister Angela Anderson

Mother Florence Metcalf

Sister Vicky Scott

Coming Soon!


Teaching Ministries

Pastor Torrance A. Markham, Sr.
Brother James Markham
Minister Ahsan Hunter

Security Team

Brother Alvin Scott

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Head of Security

Brother James Markham

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Security

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Greater St. James Temple COGIC
2131 Wright Ave.
North Chicago, IL 60064
(847) 473-2900

info@gsjtemple.org


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2019 Greater St. James Temple.  All Rights Reserved.  Website design and production by Greater St. James Media Department. Contact: webmaster@gsjtemple.org
  • Home
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  • About GSJ
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