Covenant minister and former Central Conference superintendent Rev. Jerome Nelson passed away on May 19, 2024. He was 75.
Jerome Otis Nelson was born on March 31, 1949, in Gary, Indiana. At age 14, he was baptized in a Missionary Baptist Church. He proudly graduated from Froebel High School.
Jerome married Joanne Linton on November 5, 1977, and was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force as a Vietnam-era veteran. He later attended Purdue University where he helped start the first Black Student Union. Jerome eventually graduated from the American Institute of Banking with a degree in business administration and finance in 1981. He pursued continuing studies at Indiana University, and throughout his career earned certificates from Covenant Faith Center in California, Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and the Alban Institute in Virginia.
From 1975 to 1985, Jerome served as an administrator at Trans-World Bank in California, where he eventually rose to the position of vice president. He served as associate pastor of Gary Covenant Church from 1987 to 1999, then pursued theological training from North Park Theological Seminary, earning a degree in Christian education in 2002. He served as associate pastor at Cuyler Covenant Church from 2000 to 2004.
Jerome faithfully served the Central Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church for more than 15 years. In June of 2002, Jerome began serving as director of church and society ministry. In 2003, he was ordained into specialized ministry; after becoming superintendent in 2004, he was ordained to word and sacrament the following year.
Jerome was the first African American in the denomination to hold the office of superintendent, serving in that role from January 2005 until August 2017. He held various roles and responsibilities throughout the Covenant Church, including helping establish the first Sankofa Journey in 1999, leading the African American Ministerial Association (AAMA), chairing the conference’s Church and Society Commission, serving on the board for WellSpring Center for Hope, being part of the Churches Planting Ministries initiative, serving Covenant World Relief and Development (CWRD), and helping revive the Paul Carlson Partnership (PCP).
Jerome was known for his direct communication, passionate presence, and prophetic courage that helped cut through the noise and focus the work of ministry on what really mattered. He influenced many leaders and initiatives throughout the denomination and led the Council of Superintendents with high energy and skill, always advocating for those being kept out or not heard. He often traveled throughout the Central Conference and loved visiting congregations, preaching and teaching in the pulpit, and igniting community-centered development projects. His financial acumen, executive leadership, conflict resolution skills, honesty, humor, love for Jesus, and generosity toward others made him a leader with deep impact in many spaces.
Jerome was often known to say, “Leadership is not about me; it’s no good to be the first at something if there’s no one else coming behind me.” He regularly invested in younger leaders, and set up scholarships, speaking opportunities, and mentoring opportunities to ensure more voices would be heard. He generously dispensed advice and wisdom behind the scenes to many, both young and seasoned. He was often called upon to intervene, resolve conflict, address racial injustice, encourage, pastor, or simply make things happen—even beyond his official roles.
Jerome was a strong voice for justice and equality, an ardent community activist, and an entrepreneur throughout his life. He started and managed Nelson Insurance Agency, Anchor Linen, Renaissance Group Consulting, and the nonprofit Transforming Lives and Communities. As a proud native of Gary, he returned home in 2018 to serve as NAACP president, was involved with the “One Church One School Project,” and was campaign manager and director of the board for the Chamber of Commerce. He often spoke of his extended family of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his community at large with pride and joy. Jerome never retired and would remind others of that truth often. He continued to empower others, create businesses, engage in ministry, enjoy being a clothes horse, and maintain a relationship with Jesus at every stage of his life.
Jerome was preceded in death by parents Bernice Nelson and T.O. Nelson, and sisters Darien Nelson Parker, Marlene Nelson Gant, and Bonita Nelson Shipp. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joanne; his sons, Patrick Burley, Jason Burley, and Sean Nelson (Jennifer); as well as his sister, Betty Nelson; brother, Bryant “Rickie” Nelsson (Lynn); and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Homegoing Services
Homegoing services will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at New Life Missionary Baptist Church, 5444 Harrison Street in Merrillville, Indiana. President Tammy Swanson-Draheim will be preaching. Visitation hours will be 8:00 – 10:00 am, with funeral services at 10:00 am.
Pastors attending the funeral are invited to bring a robe and/or stole and take part in the processional of pastors at the start of the service.
Repast will follow immediately after interment from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at The Chateau in Merrillville.
Additional visitation will take place Thursday, May 30, from 12:00 – 8:00 pm, with family hours from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, at Guy and Allen Funeral Home, 2959 W 11th Avenue in Gary, Indiana.
Condolences can be sent to the family at 4700 Van Buren Street, Gary, Indiana 46408. Those wishing to send either written or video greetings to be shared on the day of the service and with the family can do so by filling out this form.
Donations can be made toward supporting scholarship funds at North Park Theological Seminary through the Jerome Nelson Fund, by sending a check with his name in the memo line, or through NPU’s online advancement page.
Remembrances
“One time Jerome and I came face to face with Mike Tyson in an airport security line. After sizing him up, Jerome whispered to me, ‘I think I can take him.’ That epitomizes Jerome—ready to take on any challenge. You always knew where you stood with Jerome, and in the end, you always knew he stood with you—to want the best and be the best. When Jerome became the first superintendent of color, his priority was not in the Covenant taking a step, but taking a journey. ‘Being first means nothing if I’m also the last,’ he would say. He was among many important peers who helped the Covenant become more faithful to our desire to more fully reflect God’s kingdom. His relentless perseverance and godly determination indelibly advanced the mission and mosaic of the Covenant.” – Rev. Gary Walter, president emeritus, Evangelical Covenant Church
“Jerome was a pioneer in the Covenant Church and one of the leaders on whose shoulders we stand today! His unwavering faith, compassion, and dedication to our community will be deeply missed. We thank God for his life and example!” – Rev. Edrin C. Williams, pastor of Sanctuary Covenant Church in Minneapolis and president of the African American Ministers Association (AAMA)
“He was a prophetic voice for justice, reconciliation, and a church that would serve as a sneak preview of heaven. I’m honored to have known him.” – Rev. Efrem Smith, co-pastor of Midtown Covenant Church in Sacramento, California
“Jerome was one of a kind. He became superintendent because of his business acumen and his ability to manage situations and people. The authenticity of his voice had tremendous impact.” – Rev. Henry Greenidge, AAMA president emeritus
“Jerome and I became friends in seminary and afterward I got to work for him in both regional and denominational ministry for many years. He and Joanne both faithfully fought for others and for justice so loudly; that credible witness was part of what kept me in the church and in leadership when I was ready to give up. He encouraged me at every stage of ministry to use my voice, trust God, be strategic, watch where the power moves in the room, and never to make ministry about me. In his passing, we lost a giant and a kingdom-sized advocate, but I’m so grateful for his legacy. His courage, integrity, and authenticity deeply impacted my own life, and I know many others would say the same.” – Rev. Dr. Liz Mosbo VerHage, Covenant minister serving as senior pastor of LaSalle Street Church in Chicago, Illinois
“Jerome was an advocate for those who had no voice. He confronted spaces that tried to marginalize his existence. He was a man of a passionate heart who lived and led with a dialectic of advocacy and sensitivity.” – Rev. Don Davenport, associate pastor of Oakdale Covenant Church in Chicago, Illinois
“Jerome was my friend. As a pioneer, I had the privilege of being by his side, and he by mine, as we navigated moving forward in this Swedish denomination as two people of color. There were others who were involved, but we were a band, we walked together, and Jerome was one of the bandleaders.” – Rev. Harold Spooner, 2023 honoree of the Irving Lambert Outstanding Urban Ministries Award
“Jerome was not only a pioneer in the Evangelical Covenant Church, but he extended grace to all those he met. He had a profound influence not only on my life but through leadership and political engagement on everyone he touched. There were many who played their own instrument, in their own unique way, to create a melodious sound that changed the direction of the Covenant. Jerome did that to the fullest.” – Rev. Robert L. Owens, former superintendent of the Southeast Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church
Peace be to his memory.
