User:HenrySoles2018/sandbox

Rev. Henry Soles Jr. was born on August 17, 1935 to the union of Henry Sr. and Pearlie Mae Soles in Anniston, AL. Due to escalating racial tensions, the Soles family relocated to Plainfield, NJ where Henry grew up. He received the gift of salvation early in life and was an active member of Calvary Pentecostal Church where he later served as Assistant Minister. After graduating from Plainfield High School (New Jersey), Henry went on to Manhattan Bible Institute (New York) and then to Rutgers University (New Jersey). Soon thereafter, he began his career as a journalist for New York area daily newspapers and the Associated Press. While working as a reporter at the New Brunswick Daily News in 1969, Henry was recruited to work at Scripture Press in Wheaton, IL. Two years later, Henry went home to New Jersey to marry the love of his life, Effie Whittle. He and Effie then returned to Wheaton where they built life-long relationships. Life in Wheaton was productive and rewarding. Hailed as an award-winning editor, several of his projects, including The Soul Food New Testament and the Children of Color Bible, were published by Tyndale House. Later Rev. Soles became a television personality serving as a host of an Emmy-nominated talk show. A servant of God, and, always committed to taking his ministry into the community and beyond the church walls, Rev. Soles not only hosted a successful bible study downtown Chicago, but also provided ministerial guidance for Chicago professional sports teams including: the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Sting. Rev. Soles joined the Chicago Bulls family in 1979, where he served as senior chaplain for over 30 years. As chaplain, he led the pre-game Christian chapel services and encouraged athletes to reflect upon issues of life beyond the basketball court. Additionally, he served as the previous Pastor of City Church (Chicago, IL), former Associate Minister at DuPage A.M.E. Church (Lisle, Illinois) with his wife, Effie, for many years and led a successful bible study downtown Chicago.

Driven to be a change agent, Rev. Soles volunteered for numerous community organizations, often as a founding member. He was the founding Board Chairman of the Community Housing Association of DuPage (CHAD); a founding trustee of the DuPage County Prayer Breakfast; a founder of the African American Leadership Roundtable (AALR) and was its first president from 2000-2003. A respected community leader, Rev. Soles served on numerous boards, including the Chicago-based Gospel Outreach, Urban Ministries, Serenity House, Chicago Mental Health Council, DuPage Prevention Partnership, Mid-America Leadership Foundation, Wheaton-Carol Stream United Way, DuPage Housing Authority and Wheaton History Center.

Over the course of his life, Rev. Soles received countless awards, honors and recognitions for his civic work. He was awarded the Serenity House Man of the Year Award in 1997, received the 2001 Good Citizen Award from the City of Wheaton, was selected as a History Maker in 2002, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement in Media Award from the DuPage A.M.E. Church, received the A.M.E. Bishops Award of Excellence, and was inducted into the Plainfield High School (New Jersey) Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2015, the African American Leadership Roundtable named one of two annual scholarships after him.

In addition, Rev. Henry Soles Jr. was profiled in multiple local and national publications including the book, 32 Wheaton Notables, Their Stories and Where They Lived. A much sought-after inspirational speaker, Rev. Soles travelled nationally and internationally to share the gospel of Jesus Christ through his musical talent, friendly personality and passion for service. Rev. Henry Soles Jr. departed this earth in the early hours of January 18, 2018 at the age of 82. He is reunited in glory with his parents and one sister, Annie Bowen. He leaves to mourn his death his beloved wife, Effie, one brother Muhsin Muwwakkil (Yvonne), nieces and nephews, cousins, and a multitude of dear friends.