We are blessed and delighted to introduce Reverend Celona Denise Hayes, Esq.,  a proud Chicago native with a rich tapestry of experiences and an unwavering passion for serving the Lord.

 

Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northern Illinois University in 1997, Reverend Hayes further pursued her love for justice by earning her Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School, in Chicago, in 2004. Her spiritual journey led her to complete her Master's of Divinity from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in 2017. It was a joyous moment when she was ordained by the esteemed Bishop John F. White of the 4th Episcopal District of the AME Church later that same year.

 

Before rejoining our Chicago community, Reverend Hayes guided and nurtured the congregation of Lewis Chapel AME Church in Albion, Michigan from 2020 to 2023. With her heart always anchored in Chicago, she is ecstatic to be back in the city where her spiritual vocation began.

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Reverend Hayes' zest for life and diverse experiences stems from her childhood travels, being the proud daughter of a retired Marine, Gerald O. Hayes, and the lovely Patsy A. Hayes. She's explored and lived in various parts of the world, from Puerto Rico and Mexico to Japan, before calling Chicago her home.

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Apart from her spiritual commitments, Reverend Hayes serves as a Civil Prosecutor for the City of Gary, Indiana, and holds legal licenses in both Illinois and Indiana. Her Christian faith drives her ambition, urging her to stand alongside those on Main Street rather than the corridors of Wall Street, striving for justice, fairness, and compassion.

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