Evangelist Louise D. Wade - Biography

Evangelist Louise D. Wade, Th.D, a former resident of Chicago, Illinois has lived in Freeport for the last 20 years. She worked for the government for a total of 24 years prior to her resignation from the Department of Health and Human Services in October, 1982.

Louise continued her education by going to school at night part-time for 11 years while maintaining full-time employment during the day. She received her Master's Degree in Education in January, 1981 from Chicago State University. With a continued yearning for learning she attended Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL (1985-1988) acquiring an additional 30 hours in "Education Administration."

On October 4, 1982 she started teaching at Taylor Park Elementary School. In August of the following year she acquired a position at Freeport Senior High, and taught there for 18 years. Her last year of teaching was at Carl Sandburg School.

After teaching for 19 years, Louise was led led to go into full-time ministry with her husband, Bishop J. Arthur Wade.

On June 4, 2001, she retired. However, occasionally she continued to teach, substituting for regular full-time teachers. Since her retirement she has also served as a tutoring coordinator for one of the elementary schools in Freeport. "TEACHING" is her ministry!

She has been actively involved in the community. Activities include

  • Project 2009 Coalition Member (1997-Present)
  • Mayor's Office - Human Relations Committee (1992-1995)
  • Advisor - FHS Heritage Coalition
  • Former Member - Highland Community College Literacy Council
  • 1st Vice-President - NAACP, Freeport Branch
  • Former Board Member - Jane Addams Community Mental Health Council
  • Project Director and Instructor - Martin Luther King Community Center (1982-1986)

Church Involvement include, but not limited to:

  • Freeport Minister's Wive's Fellowship
  • Sunday School Teacher - Adult Women - (FFMD&WC)
  • Education Coordinator - (FFM D&WC & New-Unity D&WC)
  • Director - Youth Department
  • Chairperson - Women's Department "WOE" (Women of Excellence) - Faith for Miracle Deliverance & Worship Center
  • Advisor - Praise Dance Ministry
  • Instructor - Charles Harrison Mason Bible College (Branch at Bethesda Church of God in Christ in Elgin, IL)
    1. Evangelism
    2. Sermon Preparation
    3. Marriage and the Family