Dr. L. Bernard Jakes serves as Senior Pastor/Teacher of The faith family of West Point Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois.

He was born the second child in Chicago, Illinois. He received his elementary education at Nicholas Copernicus and secondary education at Marie Curie Metropolitan of the Performing and Creative Arts High School. Furthering his education, he received the Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Philosophy from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois; the Master of Arts degree in Ethics, Church and Society from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and the earned Doctor of Ministry degree in Spiritual Direction from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. His final thesis was entitled: Spiritual Direction: Classical Spiritual Disciplines As Tools For Developing A Closer Relationship With God.

Since his early youth, Dr. Jakes has been actively involved in the work of the church. He was licensed to preach and ordained to Christian ministry at Greater Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California. His work in local church ministry includes: Interim Pastor, Youth Pastor, Minister of Music, and Director of Christian Education. Dr. Jakes pursued academia in the Chicagoland area. His passion for education led him to Elmhurst College and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. During his undergraduate tenure, Dr. Jakes was awarded the highest medal for faculty and students: The Elmhurst College Founder’s Day Medal of Excellence. At Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, he is a Presidential and Dr. A.P. Jackson Scholar. While a seminarian, Dr. Jakes was called to serve as Senior Pastor of Bethel Green Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. After two and a half (2 ½) years of faithful service, Dr. Jakes received the call of the people and the appointment by God to The faith family of West Point Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Jakes completed his doctoral studies at United Theological Seminary while shepherding this congregation.

Currently, Dr. Jakes serves as a board member at Vision House: An HIV/AIDS assisted living facility in Chicago, Illinois. He is also a member of the University of Chicago Charter School TAC team, Principal for a Day—Chicago Public Schools, a CAPS representative (Community Action Policing), and serves with the Center for New Horizons Youth Outreach in the historic Bronzeville community of Chicago. In addition, he is involved with local, state and federal policy makers—utilizing his voice as a local pastor to speak truth to power as it relates to social justice, action and equality for oppressed people, both local and global. Dr. Jakes serves as Co-Chaplain for African American students at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Dr. Jakes is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and the Ancient Free and Accepted Scottish Rites Masons of North America. Dr. Jakes has received a myriad of local and state proclamations coupled with honors from civic and social organizations.