The Rev. Jesse Hawkins

Our Pastor, the Rev. Jesse Hawkins, has been privileged to serve as servant leader for the Cathedral of Grace | St. John since October,1982. He received his first appointment from the late Rt. Rev. Hubert N. Robinson, the 84th elected and consecrated Bishop of the AME Church.

Upon having received his first appointment to St. John Church, Aurora, with no intentions of spending his entire career here, Pastor Hawkins approached the ministry with the credence that all of the work was divine. So, he rolled up his sleeves, hit the ground running, and has since been credited with the growth and the thriving ministry of our church community. After his first two years of being pastor, along with the congregation, St. John Church relocated from its original location to 142 S. 4th St, Aurora, to our current location, 2950 Bilter Rd, Aurora.

He has led the congregation to the development of several of ministries, including the 501 c3 not for profit Agape Connection Inc. Our pulpit has been used as a forum for the uplifting of issues on political and social justice with numerous national personalities serving as guest preachers and speakers. Under Pastor’s guidance, we have been privileged to host several AME Chicago Annual Conferences and the Investiture of our current bishop, the Rt. Rev. John F. White. Pastor Hawkins truly led the congregation of the Cathedral of Grace | St. John to be “The Church at the Caring End of Ministry” which is our motto.

Pastor’s leadership style reflects that loving and caring for humanity makes all the difference. Ministry is his passion. He is personable, approachable, and embraces all people regardless of economics, ethnicity, and gender. His witness is one of compassion, concern, and great empathy. He truly enjoys pastoring, his calling. Though well trained with a MDiv., MA, BA, and though he has served on many community committees and boards, Pastor Hawkins values his relationship with God, Christ and people as being the most rewarding experience on his journey. He is married to his wife, Mary Watson Hawkins and they share one son together, David Alexander.