Dear Bright Star Church Chicago, St. James Church Chicago, Bright Star Community Outreach, Bright Star Community Development Corporation, The Unity Forum Partners, our extended ministry family, community partners, and friends,
After much prayer, careful consideration, and consultation with my physicians, I have made the difficult but necessary decision to begin a three-month period of strict vocal rest immediately following this Sunday’s worship services.
Several years ago, during the final three months of 2019, I was diagnosed with polyps on my vocal cords. Vocal cord polyps are growths caused primarily by prolonged vocal strain and overuse. Left untreated, they can lead to permanent vocal damage, chronic hoarseness, loss of vocal range, difficulty speaking, and in some cases, the need for surgery. At that time, I committed myself to an extremely disciplined season of complete vocal rest while faithfully following my doctors’ instructions. By God’s grace and through that disciplined process, my voice healed.
Unfortunately, I find myself needing to make that same commitment once again.
This is not a decision made out of fear, but out of wisdom. I believe this temporary inconvenience is the price I must pay for long-term vocal health. I would much rather sacrifice three months now than risk permanent damage that could affect my ability to preach, teach, sing, and serve God’s people for years to come.
As you can imagine, this will not be easy for me. Preaching the Gospel, teaching God’s Word, singing His praises, and encouraging people are not simply what I do, they are who I am. There are very few things that bring me greater joy than standing before God’s people each week proclaiming His Word. Yet wisdom teaches us that sometimes the strongest thing we can do is be still.
This vocal rest extends far beyond simply not preaching. It means I will not be speaking during meetings, conferences, or most ministry gatherings. Even if I am physically present at a meeting or event, I will remain on vocal rest and will not be participating verbally. I respectfully ask for your understanding and support as I honor the medical guidance I have been given.
Additionally, my physician has strongly encouraged me to incorporate necessary physical rest during this season. Therefore, my availability will be extremely limited over the next three months as I focus on healing and recovery.
This Sunday will be especially meaningful as I preach what will be my final sermons before entering this period of rest during our 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM worship services. We will also celebrate an incredible milestone, my 5th Pastoral Anniversary as the grateful shepherd of St. James Church Chicago, our beloved sister church to Bright Star Church Chicago, where God has graciously allowed me to serve as Senior Pastor for nearly 27 years.
I would be honored to have you join us for this special day of worship and celebration at Colman School, 4640 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois. I look forward to sharing one final message with our church family before stepping into this season of healing.
To be clear, this three-month period of vocal rest will cover the months of July, August, and September. During this time, my availability will be extremely limited as I focus fully on healing, recovery, and preserving the voice God has entrusted to me.
Although I will be resting, the work of the Kingdom will continue. As the Senior Pastor of Bright Star Church Chicago and St. James Church Chicago, and as CEO of Bright Star Community Outreach and Bright Star Community Development Corporation, I have complete confidence in the exceptional team of leaders God has assembled around me. Ministry will continue. Worship will continue. Outreach will continue. The mission God has entrusted to us will continue moving forward with excellence.
Below you will see the names and contact information of the pastors, executive leaders, and ministry staff who will be available to assist you throughout my absence.
I sincerely appreciate your prayers, your understanding, and your support during this season. I firmly believe that by exercising wisdom today, I am positioning myself to return stronger, healthier, and ready to continue serving with renewed strength for many years to come.
Scripture reminds us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV), “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” I believe this is simply my season to be quiet so that God may preserve the voice He has entrusted to me.
Thank you for your continued love, your prayers, and your grace.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday at 8:30 AM or 10:30 AM as we worship together and celebrate five wonderful years of God’s faithfulness at St. James Church Chicago before I begin this brief season of rest and restoration.
“Doing What I Can; While I Can; With What I Have; Within HIS Will."
Pastor Chris Harris, Sr. (PCH)
BrightStarChurchChicago.com (Greater Bronzeville) – Pastor
StJamesMinistriesChicago.com (West Pullman/Roseland) - Pastor
BrightStarCommunityOutreach.com – CEO
BrightStarCDC.com – CEO
TheUnityForum.com – Co-Founder
GreaterBronzevilleCAC (GBCAC) GBCAC.com- Chairman
(773)373-5220 - Church
Facebook: Pastor.Chris.Harris.Sr
Twitter: ChrisHarrisSr
Instagram: PastorHarris
LinkedIn Pastor Chris Harris
Cilvia Osborne, Executive Assistant to Pastor Chris Harris
(312)285-7799
PCHassistant@BrightStarCOGIC.com
BrightStarChurchChicago.com
StJamesMinistriesChicago.com
Diseree Clay, Chief Projects Officer for Pastor Chris Harris
TheUnityForum.com
(773)980-0939
Diseree@BrightStarCOGIC.com
LaKreshia Kindred, Executive Director of Bright Star Community Outreach (BSCO)
BrightStarCommunityOutreach.com
(773)677-8903
LKindred@BrightStarCommunityOutreach.com
Caryl West, Executive Director of Bright Star Community Development Corporation (BSCDC)
(312)402-4690
CWest@BrightStarCDC.com
BrightStarCDC.com
Cicely Anderson, Minister of Worship for Bright Star & St. James Church Chicago
MOW@BrightStarCOGIC.com
(312)846-0017
Elijah Kindred, Executive Pastor
Bright Star & St. James Church Chicago
campuspastor@brightstarcogic.com
(205) 913-0616
