Senior Pastor
St. James Community Church | Chatham
Founder
Acts of Love Foundation
Projects and Work
Pastor William Emmanuel Hall serves as the Senior Pastor of St. James Church in Chicago, IL. Early in life, William made a commitment to serve, uplift, and advocate for the poor. No matter if it was organizing food baskets at Holy Angels Church or marching for justice in the streets, William lives and loves out loud.
In 2011, William founded the Acts of Love Foundation (formally known as Communigize). Acts of Love is a human rights and social service foundation that is committed to providing resources to young people in the poorest communities across the world. Acts of Love distributes complimentary books and builds mini libraries through its Love Knowledge Initiative in homes, shelters, barbershops and daycares in some of the most poverty-stricken communities across the country. Acts of Love brings love to young people one block at a time. To date, Acts of Love has given away over 200,000 books in 15 cities.
William was taught by his father to work hard inside the classroom and to go to the well of wisdom and knowledge every day. His value for education and servant hood led him to receive a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Religious Studies from DePaul University. Later
William enrolled in McCormick Theological Seminary to pursue a Masters in Divinity where he later graduated, and currently is a Doctor of Ministry candidate in African-Centered Religious Thought and Ministry under the deanship of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright.
William’s passion for equality and his heart to serve has been noticed both locally and nationally.
In March of 2017, William was inducted in the 32nd Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers at Morehouse College. In 2016, Ariel Investment named William One of Chicago’s 40 Most Influential Leaders, and in 2013 Ebony Magazine recognized William as One of the Nation’s Power 100 for his work in communities across the United States.
William Emmanuel Hall believes if he can just help somebody his living is not in vain.
