First, let me offer all praise and glory to God who is always at the center of my life.
We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a great and good man, Bishop Willie Ellis.
Bishop Ellis was a powerful force for positive change in this community.
As the shepherd of this historic congregation, his inspired leadership raised this faith family to heights that no one could have imagined when he assumed this pulpit in 1964.
Back then, New Northside was a small, struggling church. But by his strong hand, and with his exceptionally gifted voice, he was a guiding light to this congregation and this community.
Bishop Ellis was the driving force behind the establishment of this magnificent house of worship, the New Northside child development center and the family life center complex.
Bishop Ellis’ impact on this city, our region and the state of Missouri will live forever.
For my family and I, his passing is a very personal loss. You see bishop Ellis was at my father’s side from the very beginning of his political career. He was part of a generation who stood up and stood out. And they decided to take a stand against injustice. They had the courage to challenge what was wrong in this country.
In St. Louis, when others told Bill Clay that there was no way he could win, Bishop Ellis told him to “Keep on keeping on.”
That led to his election to the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, the creation of the First Congressional District and his eventual election as Missouri’s first African-American congressman.
In the St. Louis American, my Dad was asked about what made his friend so special and he said this about the Bishop:
“He was the kind of minister who believed God’s mission for him was to work both sides of the river Jordan. He used to say one of his missions was to save souls on one side of the river, and another mission was to improve the quality of life on this side of the river. He was always worrying about how to improve life and eliminate racism and even sexism – even back then.”
I think my Dad got it just right.
As for me, this is more than just the loss of an extraordinary leader. Bishop Ellis was also a wonderful friend and mentor whom I turned to many times for guidance, support and spiritual strength.
So as we celebrate his life today, the Bishop has left us with a few questions. Will we follow his example? Will we continue his mission? Will we allow his message of faith, love and fearless advocacy to go silent? I know that will never happen.
Because like all great pastors, Bishop Ellis was much more than just a powerful preacher. He was also a smart farmer. And he planted the good seeds of justice,
equality, stronger families, better schools, less hate and more love, all over this community.
So now, it’s up to those of us who remain to nurture that crop with our energy, our strength, our desire to truly make God’s work our own. And brothers and sisters, if we do that Bishop Ellis’ legacy will never die.
Because we will protect it, we will preserve it, we will honor him with our own commitment to serve and to walk in the ways of the Lord.
So to New Northside’s gracious first lady Beverly Elaine Ellis; to your wonderful children: Pamela, Yolanda and Tyrone; to all your grandchildren and great grandchildren; I promise you this …
We will stand with you during this difficult time with our strength, our prayers and our absolute faith in everlasting life. Because we know that we will see our beloved Bishop again, on the other side of that river.
But until then, we will take up his work, we will continue his mission and we will keep the holy fire from this good man’s life burning brightly in our hearts.
On behalf of my family to yours, may God bless you with strength, comfort and courage. And may Bishop Ellis’ memory always be a great blessing to us all.
Amen.
