Two years ago, during Black History Month, I did a series of blogs about outstanding black Lutherans. One of those special people was a young bishop in the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, Reverend Yehiel Curry. 

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Bishop Curry was installed as the first black Bishop of the Lutheran Evangelical Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the US. I remembered my blog and wanted to share it with you today in celebration of this historic event. 

I’m excited! God demonstrates His unconditional love in many ways. For a denomination with a 90+% white membership, for a denomination which has reached out to suffering countries like Haiti and people of all shapes, sizes and colors, for a denomination which has demonstrated courage in bringing all sorts of people into the fold with love and acceptance, I believe that God has sent an another affirming message in the form of Bishop Curry’s installation. 

It’s important to know about the people who are leading us during these confusing times. Meet Bishop Yehiel Curry! 

I POSTED THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE TWO YEARS AGO IN 2023, WHEN BISHOP CURRY WAS ELECTED TO THE METROPOLITAN CHICAGO SYNOD (ELCA)

Meet Bishop Curry, a man who has crammed a lot of living into a relatively short amount of time. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, he still lives there with his wife and 3 daughters. 

He was elected Bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod ELCA in June 2019, just about 10 years after his ordination (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago). He came to this calling by way of social service work and middle school teaching experience. It was while he was part of a team working to start a new worshiping community in Chicago under the auspices of the Lutheran Church in America that he made the decision to become a pastor. 

His pastoral work has centered on youth services on the south side of Chicago. His teaching and mentorship activities have been a major part of his career path. His philosophy contends that “you should make a friend before you try to make a member because it is easier to quit a denomination and harder to quit on a friend.” (taken from the E-Spirit Weekly Newsletter, February 7, 2023, published by the Florida-Bahama Synod) 

Since Bishop Curry is a contemporary figure, he has an extensive presence in written and social media. In his own words, he describes working with Safe in My Brothers’ Arms (SIMBA), a Chicago youth organization: “Thinking back on my own childhood experiences, I could easily recall being one of those young men who needed saving. . .Like many of the youth I was now trying to save, I was also bitter and prone to violence. In the process of helping some of the youth who I came into contact with through Simba, I was able to help myself. The ministry of Shekinah Chapel saved my life, my family, and my marriage.” (Publication of The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago) 

Another interesting point of information is the fact that the Metropolitan Chicago Synod is the companion synod to the Florida-Bahama Synod. So, don’t be surprised if you now hear more about Bishop Curry.   

 Terri