Rev. Phyllis Donna Harrell was born November 27, 1961, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She is the youngest of four children born to Arthur Lee and Gladys P. Harrell, both deceased. Rev. Harrell is a single parent with two sons, Raphael Alexander Smith age 38, currently residing in Chicago with his wife Whitney, and Solomon Herbert Smith age 35 who lives in Iowa.
Rev. Harrell is a devoted servant of God, to her family, her church and community. In 1994, she graduated from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication. She was ordained as a minister, May 16th 1993 and has worked on a number of projects to improve the lives of the residents within urban communities. She currently serves as a board member and Treasurer of the 34th Ward Ministerial Alliance.
She serves as President of Spiral Developmental Institute and currently serves as Pastor of Spiral Temple of Truth Church. Phyllis has received numerous honors including the Dorcas Merit Award from the Dorcas Foundation, and Certificates of Merit from both the Spiral Developmental Institute as well as the All-Faith Religious Alliance, Rev. Harrell received the “Unsung Heroine Award” In 1996, from the Cook County Board Commissioner John H. Stroger because of her lifelong commitment to helping people.
Rev. Harrell’s 30 year professional career began with the State of Illinois child welfare system. She has served as independent contractor with the Department of Children and Family Services, as statewide program director of Wednesday’s Child Program. She serves as the Program Director of Adoption Outreach Program an initiative of the Child Protection Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Central Baptist Children’s Home Bridgeport Family Network, and is the Health Care Administrator/Education Liaison for American Health Care Providers.
She has worked with The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and has served as Emergency Support Function ESF #14 Branch Chief for Long Term Recovery efforts in Gulf Coast Recovery efforts in the State of Florida and Alabama, Louisiana, and the six new England states, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut where she has received several letters of recommendations and certificate of appreciation for outstanding services rendered in rebuilding communities and lives.
Phyllis has been the Pastor of Spiral Temple of Truth Church for over 27 years and currently serves as Chief Operation Officer at the Alliance for Community Peace a community-based organization located on the southside of Chicago. She continues to preach and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ; she firmly believes she can do all things through Jesus Christ who is her strength. She is a Breast Cancer Survivor and encourages all that she meet.
Rev. Harrell’s hobbies include reading the bible, horseback riding, playing golf, canoeing, swimming, kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, zip lining, shopping and cooking. Her favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Rev. Harrell continues to serve and lead God’s people. She believes in the Word of God and that Christianity is a way of life, not just a religion.
Women’s Networking Association Member, Rev. Phyllis D. Harrell, can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
