Page 20 – Chattanooga News Chronicle

City of Chattanooga and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation Break Ground on BlueCross Healthy Place at Airport

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November 26, 2025

City of Chattanooga and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation Break Ground on BlueCross Healthy Place at Airport

Representatives from the Chattanooga Airport, the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation and local officials recently gathered to break ground on the new BlueCross Healthy Place at the Chattanooga Airport.

The space, located opposite the airport’s runways, will benefit aviation enthusiasts, as well as residents of the city’s Shepherd, Brainerd, Brainerd Hills and Woodmore neighborhoods. The BlueCross Foundation’s investment will add: custom aviation-themed play area, lawn/observation area, parking lot, benches and picnic tables, and landscaping.

“Restoring a dedicated observation area at the Chattanooga Airport is deeply meaningful to us–it honors a beloved tradition and brings back a long-missed connection between our community and the magic of aviation,” said April Cameron, Chattanooga Airport president and CEO. “This new space will give families, students and aviation enthusiasts a front-row seat to the excitement of flight, while providing a peaceful place to gather.”

Established in 2018, the BlueCross Healthy Place program creates and revitalizes public spaces that encourage neighbors to come together, connect with one another and enjoy healthy activity. Since the program launched, its open parks have received more than 3 million visits.

“Our goal with the BlueCross Healthy Place program has always been to bring people together, in communities of all sizes, all across our state,” said Dalya Qualls White, executive director of the BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Foundation. “We’re excited to partner with the Chattanooga Airport on a space that will benefit area residents and support the airport’s growth and impact on our region.”

To date, the BlueCross Foundation has invested $70 million in BlueCross Healthy Place projects across the state. There are now 28 projects open or in progress statewide with more on the way. The Foundation has a self-sustaining endowment, and no premium dollars paid for members’ plans are used to fund BlueCross Healthy Place projects.

City Council to Honor Late Civil Rights Leader with ‘Leamon Pierce Avenue’ Sign

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Camm Ashford

November 26, 2025

City Council to Honor Late Civil Rights Leader with ‘Leamon Pierce Avenue’ Sign

Former Chattanooga City Councilman Leamon Pierce is being honored with a commemorative “Leamon Pierce Avenue” sign designating a portion of Cannon Avenue.

The Chattanooga City Council has voted to honor the life and legacy of former City Councilman and civil rights activist Leamon Pierce by adding a commemorative street sign designating Cannon Avenue as “Leamon Pierce Avenue.” Pierce passed away on October 11, 2025.

The resolution–#32688–was introduced by Councilwoman Raquetta Dotley and seconded by Councilman Chip Elliott during the Council’s meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4. The measure passed unanimously.

“Former Councilman Leamon Pierce blazed trails from Selma to City Hall, and leaders like him deserve to have their legacy remembered,” said Councilwoman Dotley. “That’s why it’s so important to memorialize his impact with a commemorative street naming–and it was an honor to support the resolution.”

Pierce, born April 11, 1941, and a lifelong resident of the Park City community, passed away on Oct. 11, 2025, at age 84. He was a pillar of leadership in Chattanooga’s civic and faith circles and a 1960 graduate of Howard High School, where he emerged as an early leader in the local civil rights movement. That same year, he helped organize and lead anti-segregation sit-ins at Chattanooga lunch counters–demonstrations sparked by Howard High School students and inspired by the growing national movement for racial equality.

In 1990, voters in District 8 elected Pierce to Chattanooga’s first modern City Council, where he served with distinction until 2009. During his 19-year tenure, he worked to expand opportunities for residents of underserved neighborhoods, advocate for fair housing, and improve public infrastructure. Colleagues and community members alike remember him as a dedicated, compassionate leader whose integrity and humility guided his public service. Beyond his time in office, Pierce was a business owner, lifelong member of the NAACP, a Howard High Alumni Association supporter, and a mentor to generations of young activists and public servants.

EPB to Unveil Holiday Window Display, Continuing Chattanooga’s World War II-Era Tradition

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Camm Ashford

November 26, 2025

EPB to Unveil Holiday Window Display, Continuing Chattanooga’s World War II-Era Tradition

EPB will host its annual holiday window unveiling on Wednesday, November 26, at 5 p.m. at its Main Office in downtown Chattanooga. This community tradition originated during the World War II era (early 1940s), initially serving a patriotic purpose by promoting war bonds and featuring themes related to the war.

In those early years, the windows also displayed electric appliances offered by EPB.

This year’s newly designed seasonal displays will be showcased in the street-level windows at the Market and Broad Street location, with the new theme set to be revealed at the unveiling ceremony. The decorated windows have become an unofficial symbol marking the beginning of Christmas celebrations in Chattanooga and will remain on display through New Year’s Day.

The festivities extend beyond the window displays. In partnership with the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia and the City of Chattanooga, EPB brings the Festive Forest to life in Miller Park, located across Market Street from the main office. The illuminated park features decorated trees and walkways that enhance the downtown atmosphere throughout the holiday season.

Both the window unveiling and the Festive Forest are free and open to the public, inviting residents and visitors to participate in what organizers describe as a tribute to the city’s enduring community spirit. EPB, a Chattanooga-based provider of energy and communications services, serves customers across a 600-square-mile service area. The utility has gained national recognition since launching its community-wide, 100 percent fiber-to-the-home network in 2010, offering advanced smart grid services and what it bills as the world’s fastest residential internet, with speeds currently available up to 25 gigabits per second.

U.S. Mint Halts Penny Production After 232 Years

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Camm Ashford

November 26, 2025

U.S. Mint Halts Penny Production After 232 Years

An example of the 1793 “Flowing Hair” Cent, the first one-cent coin produced by the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia under the Coinage Act of 1792.

After more than two centuries in American pockets, the penny’s production has come to an end. The United States Mint officially concluded manufacturing of the one-cent coin for general circulation on November 12, marking the close of a 232-year chapter in American currency history.

The decision follows President Donald Trump’s February 2025 directive to the Treasury Department, in which he called for an immediate halt to penny production, citing the coin’s mounting production costs as “wasteful” government spending.

“For far too long the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” Trump wrote in a social media post announcing the directive. “I have instructed my Secretary of the US Treasury to stop producing new pennies. Let’s rip the waste out of our great nations budget, even if it’s a penny at a time.”

The economics behind the decision are stark. Each penny now costs nearly four cents–$0.0369, to be precise–to manufacture and distribute, or roughly quadruple its face value. This unit cost has surged 20.2% from the previous year, when production expenses stood at just over three cents per coin.

During fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Mint shipped more than 3.17 billion pennies into circulation. While this figure represents a decrease from the nearly 4.14 billion produced the year before, the financial burden remains substantial. Rising costs for raw metals, increasingly complex designs, and higher labor expenses have all contributed to the penny’s growing price tag.

The penny isn’t alone in this predicament. The nickel also costs more to produce than its face value, sparking similar debates about its future viability.

The penny’s journey began shortly after the nation’s founding. In 1793, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia produced the first one-cent coins in accordance with the Coinage Act of 1792.

That inaugural design, known as the “Flowing Hair” Cent, was among the first coins ever produced by the newly established U.S. Mint.

Over the subsequent 232 years, the penny became America’s longest-running coin in circulation, witnessing the nation’s transformation from a fledgling republic to a global superpower. The coin underwent numerous design changes throughout its history, with Abraham Lincoln’s profile gracing its obverse side since 1909.

Despite the halt in production, the coins remain legal tender and will continue circulating for the foreseeable future. Officially eliminating the penny from U.S. currency would require an act of Congress–a step that has not yet been taken.

The Mint announced on November 12 that it had placed its final order of penny blanks and would discontinue production once those materials are exhausted. Billions of pennies already in circulation will continue to change hands, though their numbers will gradually dwindle through loss and wear.

The move aligns with trends in other developed nations. Canada eliminated its penny in 2013, and several European countries have discontinued their smallest-denomination coins. Proponents of the change argue that pennies have limited practical use in modern commerce, while critics worry about potential price rounding effects on consumers. As the final pennies roll off the production line, they mark the end of an era that spanned from George Washington’s presidency to the present day–a small coin with an outsized place in American history.

Obama Fills the Void in a Fading Democratic Party

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November 15, 2025

Obama Fills the Void in a Fading Democratic Party

Former President Barack Obama has stepped back into the political arena, delivering some of his sharpest critiques yet of President Donald Trump as the Democratic Party struggles through one of its weakest moments in modern history. With the party’s leadership approval at historic lows and its ties to Black-owned media nearly nonexistent, Obama’s renewed visibility has exposed both the vacuum and the disillusionment threatening to fracture the Democratic coalition.

In recent weeks, Obama has spoken out against Trump’s authoritarian-style intimidation of universities and the administration’s crackdown on the press, declaring that America must “resist being intimidated” and warning that protecting democratic values may require “sacrifice.” At Hamilton College, he admonished Trump’s White House for suspending security clearances and canceling contracts with law firms and schools tied to perceived political rivals. “That kind of behavior is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans,” Obama said. “Imagine if I had done any of this.” Days later, he took to social media to denounce media companies for capitulating to Trump’s threats. “After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level,” Obama wrote, urging journalists and networks to “get a spine” and stand up for free speech.

Late in September at London’s O2 Arena, Obama expanded his message beyond immediate politics, telling a packed crowd that true leadership means constant vigilance and the courage to “show up and speak out even when it’s uncomfortable.” He cautioned against complacency, arguing that progressives had grown “smug” and unprepared for the rise of authoritarianism. “True democracy is a project much bigger than any one of us,” he said. “It’s a job for all of us.” Obama’s renewed activism comes at a time when his party’s base has grown increasingly restless. A Pew Research survey found that 59 percent of Democrats disapprove of their party’s leadership—the highest level of dissatisfaction since the question was first asked more than a decade ago. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s approval among Democrats has collapsed to 35 percent, while House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries remains little known to nearly four in ten Democratic voters.

That lack of visibility and engagement has been felt most acutely within the Black community. At the Black Press of America’s annual Leadership Awards, where Jeffries and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke were to be honored, anticipation filled a packed ballroom. But neither showed up.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump had just pledged $50,000 to support the struggling Black Press, urging others to follow suit

“Typical of Democrats,” one attendee said afterward. “They don’t spend money with us. They don’t show up. And then they expect us to deliver their message for free.” The snub, just 18 months before the Black Press’s bicentennial, struck a nerve among publishers who have covered every chapter of America’s freedom struggle—from emancipation to civil rights—without the financial support they deserve. “Our ancestors built this press through every trial in this country,” said one Black publisher after the event. “The least Hakeem Jeffries could do was show up.”

Obama’s reemergence has not gone unnoticed by voters—or by Trump. During a recent Navy celebration in Virginia, Trump attempted to incite the crowd to boo Obama, but the attempt backfired. As he invoked “Barack Hussein Obama,” the crowd met him with dead silence. Meanwhile, polls show that Obama remains the most admired living president. A Marquette Law School survey found Obama with a +17 net favorability, compared with Trump’s -15 and Joe Biden’s -24. Even so, Obama’s return to the spotlight underscores a sobering truth: the Democratic Party, battered by infighting and a failure to connect with its own base, still lacks a clear, trusted voice. Obama’s critiques of Trump’s policies—whether over healthcare rollbacks or media suppression—stand in contrast to the muted response from current Democratic leaders, who have failed to mobilize voters around issues that once defined their moral compass.

Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act have revived Obama’s signature policy as the centerpiece of a national political showdown. Democrats, scrambling to extend ACA subsidies that prevent premiums from skyrocketing, have tried to make healthcare their rallying cry again—but without strong, unified leadership, the message has struggled to resonate. For all his measured tone, Obama’s message has sharpened into something closer to alarm. He warns that complacency, even within his own party, has opened the door to authoritarianism. “Progressives assumed our trajectory would bend inevitably toward progress,” he told the audience at the O2. “That complacency left us unprepared.” As Trump wields federal power to punish dissent, the former president’s words carry the weight of both warning and legacy. But even as Obama reasserts his influence, the party he once led remains uncertain and divided—still ignoring the independent Black media that carried it through generations, and still searching for leadership that matches the gravity of this moment. Obama may have left office eight years ago, but in 2025, he appears to be the last Democrat still leading. – BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE

Firefighter Corey Hooper Delivers Baby in Ambulance, Later Promoted to Lieutenant

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Camm Ashford

November 15, 2025

Firefighter Corey Hooper Delivers Baby in Ambulance, Later Promoted to Lieutenant

Lieutenant Corey Hooper (center) is congratulated by his crew and Fire Chief Terry Knowles (far right) following his promotion. Hooper, pictured here with his son, is surrounded by colleagues from the Chattanooga Fire Department.

Chattanooga firefighter Corey Hooper has been promoted to Lieutenant at Engine 21 Red Shift, a career advancement that follows his remarkable work with the department, including an unforgettable emergency call where he delivered a baby in the back of an ambulance.

“Never stop learning and keep mentoring our new firefighters. Lean on our strong officers for support,” Chattanooga Fire Chief Terry Knowles said during the promotion announcement. “You do outstanding work and you will excel as a lieutenant. We are behind you and we are excited to see where you’re going to go the rest of your career.”

The promotion comes after Hooper demonstrated the quick thinking and compassion that defines Chattanooga’s fire service. On Saturday, March 5, 2022, while serving with the Engine 15 Red Shift crew, Hooper responded to what started as a routine medical call to a Brainerd home for a pregnancy emergency.

When firefighters arrived, the patient informed them her water had broken. Crews quickly got her onto a stretcher and into an ambulance for transport to the hospital. Hooper rode in the ambulance alongside Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) paramedics while the rest of his crew followed in the fire engine.

As he worked to keep the patient comfortable during transport, the situation escalated rapidly. According to the Chattanooga Fire Department, the patient “quickly” announced the baby was coming.

With little time to spare, Hooper assisted in delivering the child in the back of the moving ambulance. He held the newborn baby girl until the umbilical cord could be cut, then carefully placed her in her mother’s arms. Through the ambulance’s back window, Hooper gave his crew a thumbs up signal, letting them know the delivery had been successful.

“Not everyone gets to deliver a baby, so I was happy to help and glad to be a part of such an incredible moment,” Hooper said.

The successful delivery was a team effort involving Captain Danny Usher, Lieutenant Michael Battle, Senior Firefighter Brandon Lawrence, Hooper, and Firefighter Tyler Traub. The fire department extended congratulations to the family and invited them to visit Station 15 anytime to meet the Red Shift crew and show them how the baby is.

Chattanooga Area Food Bank Leads Regional Response to Unprecedented SNAP Interruption

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November 13, 2025

Chattanooga Area Food Bank Leads Regional Response to Unprecedented SNAP Interruption

Recent Mobile Food Pantry at Chattanooga elementary school.

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank, which activated its emergency response operations in mid-October, continues to lead a coordinated regional response as the suspension of November SNAP benefits takes effect. Serving 20 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, the Food Bank is coordinating large-scale food sourcing and distribution to help stabilize food access during this unprecedented disruption.

As the region’s leading organization in charitable food assistance, the Food Bank acted early to minimize the impact of the government shutdown and SNAP benefit suspension. Through its emergency response plan, the organization is:

● Proactively securing and distributing 30% more food than typical volume, including greater quantities of staple foods, proteins, and fresh produce to strengthen the regional supply chain and ensure consistent distribution

● Extending distribution hours at its pantry sites and supporting partner pantries in expanding their operations to serve more families

● Expanding staffing and volunteer operations to manage higher demand

● Adding mobile pantries to reach areas of greatest need

“We were built to respond in times of crisis,” says Melissa Blevins, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. “This interruption in SNAP benefits is unlike anything our region has faced in years, and families are already feeling the strain. Across our communities, more people are turning to food pantries for help, and the demand continues to climb. Our team and our partners are prepared and working together to make sure food continues to reach every neighbor who needs it.”

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank continues to work closely with its network of more than 200 partner agencies to ensure local pantries across the 20-county region have the resources to meet growing demand. To support them, the Food Bank has increased food allocations and adjusted distribution schedules and logistics to strengthen regional coordination and maintain a steady flow of resources.

For individuals and families in need of food assistance, the Food Bank’s Find Food tool provides an updated list of local pantries and distribution sites across the region: https://www.chattfoodbank.org/find-food/near-you.

The most effective ways to help right now are:

– Give: Your financial contribution helps the Food Bank purchase at scale.

– Volunteer: Your service helps fill critical shifts at the Food Bank’s warehouse or partner pantries.

– Use your voice: If someone you know needs help, direct them to the Find Food tool on the Food Bank’s website

“Our mission has always been about more than food,” Blevins says. “It’s about people–our neighbors–and what we can do for each other when times get hard. It takes all of us. Together, with our partners and our community, we remain committed to our mission to nourish our neighbors and strengthen the network that serves them.” Founded in 1972, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank leads a regional network of partners dedicated to ending hunger across 20 counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. Through food sourcing, distribution, education, and advocacy, the Food Bank works to feed, nourish, and empower individuals facing food insecurity. Learn more at www.chattfoodbank.org.

Honoring ALL Who Served

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November 13, 2025

From Howard High School to DC’s Pentagon – Mildred Kelly was a Distinguished Veteran

In 1928, a young girl named Mildred Catherine Kelly was born between the mountains, ridges, and river that makes Chattanooga, Tennessee. But she would become a woman who impacted a world at a time that offered limited paths for women – especially African American women.

Through perseverance, discipline, and a quiet strength of character, she would rise to become one of the most distinguished figures in the history of the U.S. Army. Chattanoogan Mildred C. Kelly became the first African American woman to attain the rank of Command Sergeant Major of a major installation.

Born to Maxie Denver and Willie Elliott Kelly on January 24, 1928 Mildred came to know Jesus as Savior “at an early age at New Zion Baptist Church,” according to her obituary from 2003. She graduated from Howard High School, leaving immediately for Knoxville College where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree in chemistry and mathematics.

In 1950, Ms. Kelly’s journey began as she enlisted in the US Army’s Women’s Army Corps, at a time when the military was still adjusting to racial integration which had just begun in 1948. Despite existing barriers, Mildred Kelly persevered in her decision to serve creating an opportunity out of adversity.

Ms. Kelly rose steadily through the ranks, mastering logistics, administration, and leadership at a time when few women of any race had achieved at this level and were granted such responsibility.

In 1974, Ms. Kelly achieved a historic milestone. She became the first African American woman to serve as a Command Sergeant Major – the highest enlisted rank – at the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.

This achievement was a personal triumph. It also symbolized the growth of our nation and military. Ms. Kelly demonstrated that leadership knows no gender or color; it is defined by service, competence, and courage. Seeing jobs to do, Mildren Kelly did them with excellence and determination.

When she retired from the Army in 1976, Kelly continued to break barriers in civilian life. She worked in federal service and volunteered her time to veterans’ causes, mentoring younger generations and advocating for the recognition of women’s and minorities’ contributions to military history. Her legacy was honored posthumously when she was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame and celebrated by military historians as a pioneer who paved the way for diversity in leadership.

Today, join the Chattanooga News Chronicle to pause to honor all who have, do, and are set to serve for Veterans Day. But also be inspired by Mildred Kelly’s story which reminds us of the importance of parents, churches, schools and our communities to positively build up our people.

From the streets of Chattanooga to the command halls of the U.S. Army, Mildred C. Kelly’s life tells us a story of perseverance, excellence, and faith. It also demonstrates what can be done in the face of challenge and adversity. Veterans, we salute YOU!

Command Sergeant Major Mildred C. Kelly (center) with fellow officers during her distinguished 26-year career in the U.S. Army. A Chattanooga native, Kelly broke barriers in 1974 by becoming the first African American woman to attain the rank of Command Sergeant Major of a major installation.

Councilman Ron Elliott Announces Two Resolutions to Protect Families During Federal SNAP Suspension

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November 13, 2025

Councilman Ron Elliott Announces Two Resolutions to Protect Families During Federal SNAP Suspension

Measures would pause City water shutoffs tied to sewer fees and urge EPB to take all possible steps to protect customers

CHATTANOOGA, TN – Councilman Ron Elliott (District 9) today announced two companion resolutions aimed at protecting Chattanooga residents as federal SNAP benefits are suspended and uncertainty continues around the federal budget.

The first resolution directs the City of Chattanooga to suspend water shutoffs related to unpaid sewer fees until either (a) federal funding for SNAP benefits resumes or (b) any federal government shutdown ends—whichever comes first.

The second resolution calls on EPB to take all steps possible to safeguard Chattanooga customers during the SNAP suspension, including—but not limited to—temporary pauses on disconnections for non-payment, expanded payment plans, flexible fee/late-fee policies, and proactive outreach to at-risk households.

“When the federal government pauses a lifeline like SNAP, local leaders must do everything in our power to keep families stable,” said Councilman Ron Elliott. “No parent should have to choose between keeping the lights and water on or buying groceries. These resolutions are about dignity, common sense, and preventing short-term hardship from becoming long-term crisis.”

Elliott emphasized that the measures are time-limited and targeted to the period of federal disruption, aligning with the City’s commitment to public health, safety, and economic stability.

“Chattanooga thrives when our neighbors can meet basic needs,” Elliott added. “Pausing sewer-related water shutoffs and asking EPB to use every tool available will help households bridge this gap without compounding debt or risking displacement.”

Elliott plans to introduce both resolutions at the next City Council meeting and is engaging colleagues, the Mayor’s Office, EPB leadership, community organizations, and anti-hunger advocates in the lead-up to the vote. “This is a moment for collaboration,” Elliott said. “I appreciate EPB’s long record of community partnership and the administration’s focus on resident well-being. Together, we can steady families until federal benefits are restored.”

From Pastor to Bishop: The Unfolding Legacy of Dr. Ternae T. Jordan, Sr.

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October 31, 2025

From Pastor to Bishop: The Unfolding Legacy of Dr. Ternae T. Jordan, Sr.

Celebrating 41 Years of Pastoral Ministry and a New Season of Spiritual Leadership

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — In a city known for its scenic beauty and deep spiritual roots, one man’s ministry has stood out as both a lighthouse and a landmark for more than four decades. Born in Chattanooga in 1955, Dr. Ternae T. Jordan, Sr. has dedicated his life to serving God, strengthening families, and transforming communities.

Bishop Ternae Jordan, Sr.:

A Profile in Purpose

Bishop Ternae Jordan, Sr. is a seasoned pastor, transformational leader, and generational legacy builder with more than four decades of ministry impact.

Renowned for his ability to cast vision, build people, and restore brokenness, he serves as a spiritual father, mentor, and community advocate—empowering men, strengthening families, and inspiring leaders to walk confidently in their God-given purpose.

His leadership is deeply relational, prayer-saturated, and legacy-focused—serving the body of Christ, the community, and the next generation with unwavering faithfulness and authenticity.

Now, as he celebrates 42 years of pastoral leadership and embraces a new calling as Bishop, his story continues to inspire a generation determined to build a legacy that lasts.

A Life Rooted in Faith and Family

Raised by his devoted parents, Pastor Melvin and Maggie Jordan—whose 63-year marriage modeled steadfast love and commitment—Dr. Jordan’s spiritual foundation was laid early. Lessons of faith, perseverance, and service shaped him into a believer, and a believer into a builder—one committed to building people, communities, and bridges of hope.

“When you work where God is working, you will always find purpose, peace, and power.”

— Dr. Ternae Jordan, Sr.

At a young age, Dr. Jordan accepted his calling to serve as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he faithfully led the congregation for five years.

In 1989, following divine direction, he moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, to serve as pastor of Greater Progressive Baptist Church.

In 2004, Pastor Jordan transitioned back home into the pulpit as Pastor of Mount Canaan Baptist Church—a sacred mantle once carried by his father, the late Pastor Melvin Jordan, who faithfully led the congregation for four decades. This homecoming marked not only a continuation of a powerful family legacy but also the beginning of a new era of visionary leadership and community engagement under Dr. Jordan’s guidance.

The Shepherd and the Servant

Dr. Jordan’s ministry has always been more about people than position. His compassionate heart has comforted the hurting, inspired the discouraged, and guided countless lives toward purpose.

A visionary leader, he founded transformative initiatives including:

● Men of Vision – inspiring men to rediscover their God-given identity and strength.

● Father’s Nest – restoring the heart of fathers to their families.

● Stop the Madness – confronting community violence with faith, unity, and hope.

● Purpose Point Learning Academy – a developmental high-quality early learning program providing a nurturing, safe, and positive environment for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

● Purpose Point Community Health – a faith-based clinic that provides medical care for adults aged 18 and older who lack health insurance and cannot afford traditional healthcare services, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

● Community Development, S.O.A.R. – Serving Our Area Through Redevelopment

○ Phoenix Manor: Home – Community of 10 homes in Fort Wayne, Indiana

○ Phoenix Manor – an apartment community for those 55 or older or those with a disability, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

These movements reflect his lifelong commitment to bridging faith and community, hope and healing.

A Marriage That Ministers

Standing beside him for 48 years is his wife, Angela Faye Smith Jordan, a woman of grace and resilience. Together, they have modeled what faith-filled partnership looks like.

Through their shared ministry, Gems of the Journey, they empower couples to build enduring marriages grounded in God’s Word..

A Visionary Leader and Author

Through JLegacy, LLC, Dr. Jordan continues to shape leaders spiritually, socially, and globally.

Dr. Jordan is the author of Crossing Jordan: Transformational Leadership, the first volume in a forthcoming trilogy that explores the power of change through faith-based leadership. In the book, he guides readers on a journey of personal and professional growth, offering principles that transcend boundaries and inspire transformation in every sphere of life.

His well-known 40-Day Burning Bush Experience prayer initiative has drawn believers worldwide into Scripture, reflection, and intercession, leaving a lasting imprint of spiritual renewal.

A Divine Elevation:

From Pastor to Bishop

On December 12th, a special celebration will honor Dr. Ternae Jordan, Sr. for 21 years of pastoral leadership and 42 years of dedicated ministry. As he transitions from pastor to bishop, Dr. Jordan’s life enters a new and profound dimension of service. His consecration as Bishop on December 13, 2025, marks not an ending, but a divine new beginning—an elevation that carries both honor and responsibility. In this sacred calling, he will continue to oversee, mentor, and empower other leaders and ministries with love, integrity, and spiritual authority.

“You can’t be what you can’t see — but it’s much easier to be what you’ve seen.”

— Bishop-Elect Ternae Jordan, Sr.

A Legacy That Lives On

Dr. Jordan’s legacy continues through his children—Ternae Jr., Jamichael, and DeJuan—and through the countless lives shaped by his ministry. His influence extends from pulpits to boardrooms, from prayer circles to community streets.

Dr. Jordan will retire from his pastoral leadership at the end of this year. In a special ceremony on December 14th, he will officially pass the banner to his two sons, Ternae Jordan, Jr. and JaMichael Jordan, Sr., who will serve together as co-pastors, continuing their father’s legacy of faith and community service.

As he steps into his new role as Bishop, the city that watched him grow now celebrates a man who embodies faith in action. His life stands as a testament that the true measure of ministry is not counted in titles or years—but in lives transformed.

Closing Thought

As one chapter closes and another begins, Bishop-Elect Ternae Jordan, Sr. stands as living proof that “to everything there is a season.” When a life is lived in faith and obedience to God, its impact endures—and its legacy echoes across generations.

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