OUR PASTOR
Rev. Dr. Kim Shelton, a native of Washington, D.C. and raised in Chicago, Illinois, is a passionate and prophetic voice in ministry with a lifelong commitment to faith-rooted justice and community engagement. Since 2018, she has served as the Senior Pastor of Good News Community Church in Chicago, where she has led a powerful revitalization of the congregation through dynamic outreach initiatives, interfaith collaboration, and deep community involvement.
Under Rev. Shelton’s leadership, Good News Community Church has become a hub for transformative ministry, engaging in corner prayer initiatives, responding pastorally and prophetically to gun violence in the neighborhood, and leading advocacy efforts after the tragic death of a member due to heat exhaustion in a nearby assisted living complex. Her commitment to justice has brought together local aldermen, state senators, and community action agencies to tackle hunger, housing insecurity, and systemic inequities, living into her belief of “bringing good in the hood.” Before this role, Rev. Dr. Shelton served for seven years as Associate Pastor to Youth at Advocate UCC, where she developed a thriving youth ministry that integrated dance, drama, mime, and music into worship services. She created vibrant programs, including interactive Bible studies, Sunday school, and outreach initiatives, all rooted in spiritual formation and community connection for children and youth under 12 years old. Her ministry journey began at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, where she served under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. She held multiple leadership roles there, including Assistant Superintendent of the Saturday Bible School, confirmation class facilitator, deacon, and minister-in-training. She also helped plant Sankofa UCC in Atlanta, Georgia, and served in ministry formation with Community Congregation in Montgomery, Alabama.
Academically, Rev. Dr. Shelton is deeply grounded in both theological and educational excellence. She earned her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Governors State University, and a Master of Divinity from Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), with a concentration in Biblical Studies and New Testament Greek. A Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) from National Louis University, with a focus on culturally responsive pedagogy in early childhood education.
Within the United Church of Christ, Rev. Shelton is an active leader, serving on various committees in the Chicago Metropolitan Association and contributing to the ongoing life and witness of the wider church.
She is the proud mother of an adult daughter, Dr. Makeda P.S. Shelton, and lives her ministry according to the charge found in Micah 6:8—to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Her personal ministry motto is simple and powerful: “Just do it.