Meet Pastor Irene

"I didn't set out to make noise, I set out to make an impact."

-Pastor Irene

 Born to Thomas and Ermelinda Lewis, Irene Lewis-Wimbley grew up in a multi-ethnic family in Sterling, Illinois, surrounded by the spiritual influence of the First Church of the Nazarene. Her father, the seventh son in a large family, worked tirelessly in the fields of Arkansas until 19 years old when he moved his family north. Her mother, a child of migrant farm workers, came to Sterling to work in the steel mills of Sterling, seeking out a better life for her children

Irene's journey of faith was shaped early on by the only Black Nazarene she knew, Rev. Dr. Charles Johnson. His passionate preaching during a revival ignited in her a call to the mission field at the tender age of 12.

A Journey of Trials and Triumphs

Life took a turn as a teenager when Irene left the church, feeling hurt and disenfranchised. A decade of marriage to an addict followed, during which she found herself in a state of despair. Yet, it was in this depth of despair that she reached out to God, marking the start of her journey of reconciliation and return to the church.

A critical turning point came when she and her family moved into an apartment around the corner from Saginaw First Church of the Nazarene. In this season, God reminded her of the perseverance of her father and Rev. Dr. Johnson, who remained steadfast in their faith despite numerous reasons to abandon it. In this realization, she found grace. This Spirit-filled grace walk, while challenging, brought her to where she is today, living out her calling as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene.

A Life Dedicated to Service

Currently, Pastor Irene is the proud mother of two teenage daughters and serves on staff at Pekin First Church of the Nazarene in Illinois. As the Director of Southside Community Center (SCC), she works in the heart of the second poorest zip code in Illinois. The SCC is a sanctuary of reconciliation where individuals of all races come together to learn about Biblical reconciliation and Kingdom Building.

In her role at SCC, Irene founded The Evergreen Project, a strategic model designed to mobilize lay leadership and develop indigenous leaders to engage with some of the most marginalized populations in Northwest Illinois.

Education and Achievements

Pastor Irene is a well-educated woman of faith, holding a Bachelor's degree from NBC and a Master's Degree from Olivet Nazarene University. She has worked in the social work field for 11 years as well, serving as a certified MHP through the Joint Commission and ICADV-certified Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocate. In addition, she holds certifications in several research and evidence-based parenting interventions. Ordained in the Church of the Nazarene (CotN), she continues to live out the vision God planted in her heart, utilizing her education and experiences to effect transformative change.