Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis Opens Her Heart About Bishop James A. Lewis
It was more than a church anniversary. It was a moment suspended between memory and legacy.
On the 56th anniversary of New Antioch’s founding, Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis took the microphone with grace and quiet authority. She promised to be brief, but what she shared carried decades of history, devotion, and love.
“Fifty-six years ago, February 1st, 1970,” she began, “we had our first worship service in a storefront at 1527 West Manchester Boulevard.”
A simple address. A small beginning. A divine calling.
From that modest storefront, a ministry was born—rooted in prayer, sacrifice, and the vision of one man: Bishop James A. Lewis.
As she spoke, Mother Lewis did not first recount crowds or accomplishments. She spoke about her husband.
“The Lord called a great man,” she said, her voice steady but reflective. “He chose me to be his wife. Little did I know what God had in store.”
Her words revealed both humility and awe. What began as a marriage would become a shared mission—one that shaped generations.
She described Bishop Lewis as a “wonderful man of God,” saved and sanctified, living holy not only in church but at home. That distinction mattered deeply to her.
“He lived holy in church and he lived holy at home.”
It was not just a testimony of public ministry, but private consistency. Behind the pulpit and beyond it, he remained the same man.
Mother Lewis painted a picture of their early years together—fasting, praying, laying in the presence of God. Ministry, she implied, was never casual. It was built in hidden places before it was seen on visible platforms.
“He was a preacher par excellence,” she said, “highly anointed.”
But he was also a teacher—one who imparted knowledge as well as inspiration.
Those decades were not without effort. They required dedication, obedience, and faith in seasons when growth was still unfolding.
And now, 56 years later, the fruit is undeniable.
As the congregation celebrated, it was clear that Bishop Lewis’s vision had not ended with him. It continues through Pastor Jeffrey M. Lewis and the leadership that followed.
“The legacy continues,” she affirmed.
Her pride was evident—not only as a church mother, but as a wife who witnessed the beginning and now sees the continuation.
Throughout the day’s services, she said, the Holy Spirit kept repeating one scripture in her heart:
“The glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former.”
It was not merely a quotation. It was a declaration over the church’s future.
Standing on the corner of 79th and Vermont, New Antioch remains a testament to what began in that small storefront decades ago. And according to Mother Lewis, the best is still ahead.
Before she spoke, Pastor Jeffrey Lewis honored both his late father and his living mother, acknowledging that the church stands on the shoulders of two great giants.
He celebrated the vision of Bishop James A. Lewis. And with visible graтιтude, he thanked his mother for her loyalty, love, support, and encouragement.
“Mom’s my first phone call,” he shared, drawing smiles from the congregation.
It was a touching glimpse into their relationship—a son still seeking wisdom from the woman who helped build the foundation.
Mother Lewis, though modest in demeanor, represents more than a тιтle. She embodies endurance. She carries the memory of prayer meetings, sacrifices unseen, and a marriage intertwined with ministry.
In her closing remarks, Mother Lewis urged the congregation to keep building—not just pastors, but every member.
“It is not just the pastor’s job,” she reminded them. “Each one of us have a role in building the kingdom of God.”
Her message was both reflection and instruction. Honor the past—but keep climbing. Keep praying. Keep seeking God’s face.
“Let’s keep growing,” she said. “Let’s keep climbing.”
For her, the anniversary was not simply about remembering what was—it was about believing what will be.
And through her words, one truth rang clearly:
Behind every great ministry is often a partnership forged in prayer, sustained by love, and anchored in faith.
Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis did not speak with drama or spectacle. She spoke with conviction.
And in doing so, she reminded everyone present that legacy is not just about buildings or anniversaries. It is about lives lived faithfully—at church and at home.
