Biographical Sketch
“…But the people who do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.”
- Daniel 11:32b
The preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ began almost six decades ago at the Capernaum Missionary Baptist Church in Denmark, South Carolina. At the age of seventeen (17), Pastor Goodwin became the youngest person to be granted a license to preach in the church's 158-year history.
Pastor Goodwin relocated to Chicago, Illinois and was employed by Sears Roebuck, where he worked his way up from an order filler to a Buyer's Assistant. At the age of nineteen, Pastor Goodwin was ordained by the Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago under the Pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Amos Waller. Pastor Goodwin honed his skills as a Sunday School Teacher and Associate Minister there.
In 1969, Pastor Goodwin was drafted into the United States Army, where he served for six (6) years, achieving the rank of Specialist 4th Class (NCO), and he was honorably discharged in 1975.
In September 1971, Pastor Goodwin enrolled in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicago and graduated in 1975.
In 1975, Pastor Goodwin moved his membership to the Commonwealth Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, under the leadership of the late Reverend E.A. Henderson. At the church, he took on various roles including Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, Supervisor of the young Girls and Boys Mission Group, and associate minister. Due to Pastor Henderson's failing health, Pastor Goodwin was asked to be his assistant, a position he held until 1978 when he was elected as the Pastor of the Commonwealth Missionary Baptist Church.
Pastor Goodwin organized and led Christian education programs, managed financial record keeping, and was actively involved in the Friendship Baptist District Association, Illinois National Baptist Convention, and the National Baptist Convention of America. During this time, Pastor Goodwin was highly sought after as a Bible teacher, lecturer, and preacher throughout Chicago and the surrounding area.
In 1984 Pastor Goodwin resigned as Pastor of The Commonwealth Missionary Baptist Church.
In August of 1985, Pastor Goodwin enrolled as a student at Florida Memorial College (now University). He received a Presidential Scholarship and was hired as a Residence Counselor. Pastor served as the student campus minister, delivering sermons every Sunday at the Susie C. Holly Religious Center at Florida Memorial College in Miami, Florida. He excelled academically and was recognized in the 1986 Academic All-American Collegiate Directory for his high GPA.
In January 1986, Pastor Goodwin was called to the Mount Olive Baptist Church of Chicago, Illinois, where he has served as the Pastor for 38 years. Under his leadership, Mount Olive has continued to excel in Christian service. He has implemented duties, responsibilities, and structured major services, programs, and policies of the Church. Pastor Goodwin has also utilized his administrative and organizational skills to develop, establish, implement structures, and make purchases to enhance the church services and programs.
Under Pastor Goodwin's leadership, he organized the Annual Leadership Retreat, the Christian Education Department, the Willie E. Hall Leadership Institute, the Christian Family Life Ministry, the Marriage Enrichment Seminar/Retreat, the Singles Ministry, and Mount Olive Prison Ministry, also known as L.I.N.C. Ministry (Lifting Individuals Needing Christ).
In 1989 and 1991, The Mount Olive Baptist Church Christian Education Department received the prestigious S.N. Vass Award for the Best Overall Christian Education Program from the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc. Additionally, the Willie E. Hall Leadership Institute was honored with the Best Leadership School award from the Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.
In 1990, Pastor Goodwin led a group of members to respond to the Macedonian Call by establishing the first National Baptist sponsored Christian Education Workshop in the United States Virgin Islands of St. John, St. Thomas, and the British Island of Tortola. Mount Olive received the M. A. Talley Award for this initiative, which was organized by the Christian Education Department Sunday School Publishing Board of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc. Additionally, The L.I.N.C. Ministry Inc. participated in the adopt-an-inmate program sponsored by the Cook County Department of Corrections.
Pastor Goodwin led the Mount Olive Baptist Church in holding two weekly Bible classes at the jail and bi-monthly services at Dwight Women's Prison and Kankakee Women's Prison of the Illinois Department of Corrections. Mount Olive Baptist Church was the only church allowed to prepare food outside the jail and to feed the entire Women's Division of Cook County Department of Corrections.
Mount Olive L.I.N.C. Prison Ministry adopted the first Black woman to be sent to Death Row after the reinstalment of the death penalty in the State of Illinois. This moved Pastor Goodwin to take a busload of members to the Illinois Supreme Court to support vacating the Illinois Death Penalty.
In 1995, Pastor Goodwin paid off the mortgage on 6349, 6353, 6355, 6357, and 6400 South Marshfield Ave. Pastor Goodwin's deep commitment to the Biblical model of stewardship and devout tither has kept Mount Olive debt-free by paying off the second and third mortgages on the church.
Pastor Goodwin established and co-facilitated the first faith-based Rites of Passage in the nation, leading men and women to embrace their heritage as African people.
Pastor Goodwin was a member of the Mayoral Policy Caucus on Prison Re-Entry under Mayor Richard M. Daley, the Mayor of the City of Chicago.
Represented the Englewood community as convener of the Village Elders under Teamwork Englewood. Received the prestigious Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM African American Image Award as testament of his leadership and community service.
Under his leadership, more than 20 ministers announced their call to the ministry.
A visionary leader, Pastor Goodwin foresaw the impact of technology. He purchased computers and established the James R. Goodwin Saturday Academy to educate young people in computer skills.
He has served eight (8) years in the Moderator's Cabinet: 4 years as 2nd Vice Moderator and 4 years as 1st Vice Moderator, all within the Greater New Era Baptist District Association of Chicago and Vicinity.
Pastor Goodwin has also been the Representative for the Illinois State Director for the Prison Ministry and Criminal Justice Commission.
As a philanthropist, Pastor Goodwin donated over ten thousand dollars to establish the Patricia A. Levy Goodwin Foundation, which helps young people pursue higher education.
Pastor Goodwin's Academic Background:
- Graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois
- Northeastern Illinois University
- Bachelor’s degrees in Interdisciplinary studies and Inner-City Studies
- Master's Degree in Inner-City Studies
- New World Theological Seminary
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity
- Bachelor's Degree in Christian Behavior
- Behavioral Excellence Search Training (B.E.S.T.)
- Licensed Instructor
- Church of God Cleveland, Tennessee
- Licensed Chaplain with a track in Prison Ministry
- Faith-Based Rites of Passage
- Practitioner
Pastor J. Rayford Goodwin, despite being widowed twice since becoming the pastor of Mount Olive, is married to Lady Suzette Goodwin. Together, they have four children: Jean-Michele Qualls, Rev. James R. Goodwin II, Ieshia R. Reed, and Matthew C. Goodwin.