On August 30, 2020, Reverend Patrick E. Parks was prayerfully elected to serve as pastor of Second Baptist Church of Elgin (SBC). 

Pastor Parks is the ninth pastor in the great legacy of under-shepherds that God has ordained to lead SBC since its founding in 1866.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago by a patient and caring mother, Pastor Parks is a product of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) system. After graduating from Lindblom Technical High School in Englewood, he served six years in the U.S. Army. Upon returning to Chicago in 1990, after an overseas tour of duty, Pastor Parks responded to the grace of God and surrendered his life to Christ. During this season, Pastor Parks faithfully attended the Chicago Church of Christ and the Original Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church.

In 2005, Pastor Parks answered the Lord’s call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He immediately began his theological studies at the historic Chicago Baptist Institute (CBI). Pastor Parks continued his education and training at CBI over the next five years, on a part-time basis.

In 2019, Pastor Parks completed his studies at Judson University in Elgin and graduated cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministries. While attending Judson, Pastor Parks completed a comprehensive internship at SBC. This practicum was under the leadership and direct supervision of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel L. Edmond, Pastor Parks’ predecessor.

Pastor Parks has also served as an associate minister at Original Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago. Most recently, before joining SBC, he was the interim pastor at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago.

Upon assuming the reigns of leadership at Second Baptist Church, Pastor Parks has continued to move this great Ministry forward. Under his watch, we have implemented the SBC Sister Circle, Friday Word of the Week, and have also begun meaningful partnerships with the Food For Greater Elgin and the Willow Creek Community Church Mobile Food Pantry, to assist families who have been adversely affected due to the corona virus pandemic. 

Pastor Parks has also established himself as a friend to the Elgin community. In addition to maintaining the great relationships SBC has with the Elgin Police Department and Judson University, Pastor Parks also sits on several other significant committees within the city. Such as the African American Christian Ministers Alliance (AACMA), Committee of Elgin’s Religious Leaders (CERL), U-46 Faith Leaders, and the Daily Herald Sounding Board, to name a few.

Pastor Parks is a capable and charismatic communicator of God’s Word. He is most assuredly a Baptist preacher at heart. Pastor Parks worked 32 years for the United States Postal Service before resigning to serve as the pastor of SBC. 

Pastor Parks and his lovely wife, Diane, are the proud parents of four wonderful children. He and his family reside in South Elgin, IL.

Pastor Parks enjoys reading and spending time with his family and friends.