Dr. Charley Hames, Jr.

Born and raised on Chicago’s south side, Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. is the second child of Charley Hames, Sr. and Leona Elizabeth Steadman-Hames (deceased). He was born on January 10, 1974 and baptized as an infant by Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr. (retired) of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church.

Rev. Dr. Hames received his Bachelor of Arts in African American Studies in 1997 from Chicago State University in Chicago, Illinois and in 2000 earned a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. In 2004 he was blessed to receive his Doctor of Ministry Degree in Evangelism from the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

At the appointment of Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Rev. Dr. Hames now serves as pastor of the historic Beebe Memorial Cathedral (BMC), a Christian Methodist Episcopal church in Oakland, California. Under his leadership, the church has received over 500 souls for Christ and has quadrupled its income, helping the church become a healthy and viable part of the community. He has also brought to share in ministry, four gospel recording artists and Christian comedy shows to the Bay Area.

In addition to revitalizing its witness, BMC has opened its doors to many community and non-profit organizations of the Bay Area. As an active participant in the faith community, Rev. Dr. Hames supports inter-faith coalitions and our local government. He pioneered the inception of and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Empowerment Community Development Corporation (ECDC); a non-profit organization who’s purpose is to provide transformative services to youth and families by equipping them with the tools required to become positively involved in community life as employees, volunteers and productive citizens. Rev. Dr. Hames is the proud recipient of CityFlight Magazine’s 2005 10 Most Influential African Americans of the Bay Area and an active member of 100 Black Men of the Bay Area, Inc. He is also, Chaplain of Gamma Phi Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Rev. Dr. Hames is married to Felicia S. Brooks-Hames and is the proud father of Charles Jonathon, Elijah Immanuel, and Jael Deon Hames. He is a life-subscribing member of the NAACP and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Putting action to vision in serving God, as a gifted pulpiteer with 17 glorious years in the Gospel ministry and more than 12 years in pastoral excellence, Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. continues to spread the Good News using the anointed tools bestowed upon him by God.