OUR PASTORS

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 Senior Pastor, Apostle Walter Gillespie is a visionary with an anointing for the 21st century Body of Christ. Born and raised in Chicago, he possesses a Bachelors degree in Biblical studies and an MBA in Business Management. As a result of him yielding to God, Chosen Tabernacle Full Gospel Baptist Church was birthed in 1999. The Ministry has one vision: “To restore the lost and minister healing and deliverance to those that are bound.” As the Senior Pastor of this dynamic ministry, Apostle Walt believes that it is the responsibility of the Church to not only win souls to Christ, but to minister to the total man - and emphasis is placed on preaching and teaching the infallible Word of God. Apostle Walt promotes an atmosphere of love, sensitivity, family, and fellowship. Apostle Walt co-pastors Chosen Tabernacle with his wife of more than 47 years, Prophetess Sandra Gillespie, and they have two children and two grandchildren. In addition to other endeavors, Apostle Walt is the Executive Director of the Center of Higher Development, a non-profit organization that provides technology training and other supportive services to provide digital opportunities in marginalized communities. In 2021, Chosen Tabernacle became Chosen Bethel Family Ministries. God has equipped him to minister life, healing, and deliverance to a world that is hungry for the living Word of God. Apostle Walt’s prayer is that those “who hear, will receive and apply what God has specifically for them as they become victorious in their walk into purpose and destiny”. 

Prophetess Sandra Gillespie is a multi-talented, gifted motivational speaker and minister of the Gospel. She delivers the message of God’s promises to the believer in a useful and exciting manner guaranteed to challenge one’s thinking and change one’s character. Often described as passionate, realistic, inspiring and humorist, Prophetess Sandy is a woman of Influence. She possesses a Bachelors degree in Sociology.

A wife, mother, grandmother, Pastor, Prophetess, administrator, and entrepreneur, she understands the demands and pressures of the 21st Century woman. Consequently, she challenges and inspires women everywhere to maximize their potential and realize their God-appointed purpose and destiny. Prophetess Sandy was ordained into the office of Pastor in 2003 by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Currently, she assists her husband of more than 47 years, Apostle Walter Gillespie, Jr., in Co-Pastoring Chosen Bethel Family Ministries. Prophetess Sandy oversees the “Heart to Heart” Women’s Ministry, a fellowship designed to provide an environment for women to share and promote spiritual and personal enrichment, as well as wholeness to every aspect of their lives. Prophetess Sandy is also the Executive Director of the Bread of Life Food Pantry, and is the recipient of numerous accolades and awards in the area of global hunger and food insecurity.

She is immensely grateful to be the mother of two exceptional children, Walter III (Deneen), and Qiana; and grandmother of two, Myles Isaiah and Madelyn Jackson. Prophetess Sandy is unique, and her passion for God will inspire you, motivate you, and challenge you. She proclaims that she is “blessed that God has allowed her to be one of His CHOSEN vessels in the earth realm during this end-time season”.