Our Pastor

Dr. Reginald E. Bachus

Biography

 At times, progress is  painful.  Progress means that we may have to make some changes in our way of thinking and our way of doing things.  Progress means that at times, we have to reexamine our traditions.  We may need to look at our processes in order that we make sure that when the Lord says move, we are ready to move.  We must be in the proper position and proper posture in order to be led by God.  Pastor Bachus does not want us to forget about the past.  Friendship has a great and rich legacy and tradition.  He encouraged everyone to study and examine where we are from to prevent making the same mistakes we made in the past.   If true progress is going to be made we must make sure that we are in tune with the will of the Almighty God.  That can only be done by prayer and with dutiful participation by the people of God.  Pastor Bachus truly believes that God has great things in store for Friendship Baptist Church.

And, so, with these words from Pastor Reginald E. Bachus, "I Know He's Alright!" another chapter in Friendship's history has begun.

773.378.6600

5200 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago IL 60644 us

PERSONAL
​Rev. Bachus is the oldest of five children born to Rev. and Mrs. C.L. Bachus.  He has been married to Detra L. Bachus since 1982, and they have two children, Dr. Reginald L. Bachus, Esq., Pastor of Mt. Ollie Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY and Regina Bachus of Chicago, IL.  Rev. Bachus is also the proud grandfather of Jackson Emery Lee Bachus.  Rev. Bachus is a 1994 graduate of Washburn University of Topeka with a Bachelor of Business Administration.  He received a Master of Divinity Degree on June 4, 2011 and his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching and Congregational Leadership on June 13, 2015, both from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, IL.


 SPIRITUAL INVOLVEMENT

  • September 2021, President, Baptist General State Convention of Illinois, Congress of Christian Education
  • June 2021, Treasurer/Budget Director, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Congress of Christian Education
  • September 2019: Moderator of Salem Baptist District Association, Inc.
  • June 2019: Board of Trustees, Northern Seminary, Lisle, Illinois
  • August 2014: 1st Vice President of Baptist General State Congress of Christian Education of Illinois
  • July 2013: Appointed 1st Vice Moderator of Salem Baptist District Association
  • August 23, 2007: Installed as 3rd Vice President of Salem Baptist District Association
  • August 2007 to present: Instructor, National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc. Congress of Christian Education
  • November 2006 to present: Senior Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois
  • 2004-2006: Third Vice President, Kansas State Congress of Christian Education
  • January 2001 to November 2006: Pastor, First Regular Missionary Baptist Church, Lawrence, Kansas
  • 2001-2003: Member, Evangelism Board, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.
  • 1989-2001: Associate Minister, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
  • June 1992: Ordained
  • April 1989: Licensed to Preach the Gospel
  • Member of The Baptist Ministers Union of Kansas City, Kansas.
  • Former Member, Sunday Church School Council, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Former Member, Youth Council, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Former Youth Sunday School Teacher, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Former Evangelistic Team Member, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas
  • Former Youth Minister / Department Leader, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas

Rev. Reginald E. Bachus became the 8th Pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church of Chicago in November 2006.  Rev. Reginald Bachus, the son of Rev. C. L. Bachus, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, came to Friendship from First Regular Missionary Baptist Church in Lawrence, Kansas where he was the Pastor. Rev. Bachus' arrival to Chicago as the Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church was certainly a historical moment in the history of this great church.  Rev. Bachus succeeds Rev. Dr. Shelvin Jerome Hall who served as Pastor for 51 years.  

As the newly elected Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church, Rev. Reginald Bachus, preached his inaugural sermon on Sunday, November 19, 2006 to a crowd of more than 250 parishioners. Before preaching his sermon, he eloquently sang, "By the Grace of the Lord, I've Come a Long Way."  The sermon's scripture was taken from Exodus 40: 34-38, and the text was  "Waiting On the Next Move Of God."   Pastor Bachus stated that Rev. Hall had passed the mantel to a young unknown man, and in some minds unproven, from the wheat fields and the yellow brick roads of Kansas.  Pastor Bachus reminded parishoners that Friendship belongs to the Lord.  We need to prepare for what God has in store for us.  He said the first thing we ought to do is come together to pray for the presence of the Glory of God.  When the Glory of God is in the house, there is no limit to what Friendship can do!  He encouraged parishoners that no matter how difficult things may get, no matter how hard times may be, we serve a God that will give us protection as well as provision.  Secondly, we should pray, and God will bless us with progress.

riendship Baptist Church

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • December 2012 – June 2014: Executive Director, Austin Coming Together
  • July 2011: Founder and CEO of Friendship Community Development Corporation of Austin
  • January 2011 – May 2012: Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Austin Coming Together (A.C.T.)
  • November 2010: Community Service Award, South Austin Coalition Community Council
  • 2010 & 2011: Chicago Police Department 15th District Chairperson, 100 Churches on 100 Blocks
  • May 2010: Member, Austin Coming Together (ACT) Steering Committee
  • April 2010 - 2013: Faith Based Chairperson, Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) 15th District
  • January 2010: Mentor, Michele Clark High School, Chicago, IL
  • 2009: Mentor, Leslie Lewis Middle School, Chicago, IL
  • 2009: Complete Count Committee, US Census Bureau
  • Member, Kauffman Coaches Small Business Development Team,  Kansas City, Missouri
  • 1997-2004: Human Relations Commissioner, Unified Government, Wyandotte County
  • Former Executive Board Member, D.A.R.E., Kansas City, Kansas
  • Former Member, Chairman’s Club of Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Member, Police Grievance Board, Unified Government, Wyandotte County, Kansas


MEN LICENSED TO PREACH
Deacon Theo Hamilton - 2004
Brother Aron J. Davidson, Jr. - March 18, 2007

Brother James Corbitt - August 14, 2016

MEN ORDAINED AS DEACONS
Brother Eric Pratt - October 3, 2010
Brother Gus Rickette - October 3, 2010
Brother Alfonso Ware - October 3, 2010

Brother Earl Banks - March 27, 2019

Brother David Evans - March 27, 2019
Brother Maynard Lindsey - March 27, 2019
Brother Johnnie Smith - March 27, 2019

MEN ORDAINED AS MINISTERS
Rev. Jesse Burrell - March 22, 2014

Rev. Aron J. Davidson, Jr. - March 27, 2019