Bishop James Lashley

With profound sorrow, yet abiding hope, we announce the passing of James Jefferson Lashley, Jr.—affectionately known as Bishop Lashley—a beloved husband, father, grandfather, pastor, teacher and spiritual father to many. On Monday, July 21, 2025, Bishop Lashley peacefully completed his earthly race and entered into his eternal reward in the presence of his Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom he faithfully served for over six decades.

Bishop Lashley was born on February 18, 1943, in Sunflower, MS, to James Jefferson Lashley, Sr. and Mamie Catherine (Rodgers) Lashley. On December 24, 1962, he married the love of his life, Alice Faye (Grant) Lashley in Monticello, AR.

She survives along with his children, Jeffrey (Shelly) Lashley, Jonathan (Carie) Lashley and Adina (Kevin) Ritzi, all of Peoria, 4 sisters, Lynda (Sterling) Long of Belzoni, MS, Dianne (Jimmie) Odom of Richland, MS, Mary (Wesley) Ellard of Greenville, MS, and Peggy Kennedy of California, 1 brother Dennis (Sheila) Lashley of Greenville, MS, 5 grandchildren, Madalynn, Maranda, McKenzie, Kendra, and Keilani, 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and 1 brother, Jerry (Sheela) Lashley, of Muscle Shoals, AL.

Born in the midst of World War II in a two-room Mississippi farmhouse without electricity or running water, Bishop Lashley's life began in hardship but was transformed by grace. The son of a hobo-turned-craftsman father and a powerful, prayer-warrior mother, his early years were marked by poverty, instability, anger and rebellion—but they became the very soil from which God would raise up a mighty man of faith.

At age 13, he received the Holy Ghost in a small revival service. At 17, following a dramatic near-death encounter, he surrendered to the call of God to preach the gospel—and he never looked back. From brush arbors and back pews to international pulpits, Bishop Lashley’s journey bore the marks of divine providence, perseverance and purpose.

Together with Alice, his beloved wife of 62 years, he served the Kingdom with passion, conviction and sacrificial love. They entered full-time ministry in 1963 as itinerant evangelists, preaching across eight states and witnessing hundreds receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. In 1966, the Lord led them to Peoria, Illinois, where he would faithfully pastor for 40 years—growing a struggling congregation of ten into a thriving, Apostolic, mission-minded church that became what is known today as the Pentecostals of Peoria.

Under his ministry and leadership:

• A new church building was built in Peoria, IL, fulfilling a vision God gave him in 1966.

• New Life Christian Academy, founded in 1978, continues to serve future generations.

• Global ministry took him and Alice to 27 nations on 5 continents, where they preached to multitudes and witnessed the miraculous—from physical healings to spiritual births and rebirths.

• Countless ministers were mentored, including many “sons in the gospel,” some of whom now pastor churches across the nation and around the world.

• Thousands have been baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with the Spirit—only heaven knows the full scope of his eternal impact.

His preaching was bold, and his theology sound. He was a stalwart proclaimer of truth. Coupled with a natural gift for eloquent prose and a deep, diligent love for God’s Word, Bishop Lashley became known for profound and memorable statements such as:

• “You can teach what you know, but you reproduce who you are.”

• ”Grace isn’t a one-time gift—it’s a cascading waterfall, continually pouring over us.”

• “God’s love isn’t distant—it’s hands-on, right here, in the dirt and tears of everyday life.”

• “Every testimony is a tapestry, woven by the Father’s hands from broken threads.”

• “Your failures don’t take God by surprise! Your successes don’t make Him love you more, and your failures don’t make Him love you less—God loves you, plus or minus nothing.”

Bishop Lashley was not only a man of the Word—he was a man of the Spirit. Miracles, visions and prophetic encounters followed his ministry, yet he always humbly declared: “We give our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, all the praise, the glory and the honor for all that He has done.”

Beyond his local ministry, Bishop Lashley served as a Presbyter in the Illinois District of the United Pentecostal Church International for over two decades and was later named Honorary Presbyter—a title he held until his passing. He also served as Dean of Students at Christian Life College in Stockton, California, and held a seat on the Executive Board of Purpose Institute, teaching and shaping future leaders in theology and truth.

In his own words, greater than all the miracles he and his beloved Alice had witnessed, and more meaningful than all the opportunities they were afforded throughout their life and ministry, was the family they raised. To be able to say, along with the Apostle John, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” was what Bishop Lashley considered his life’s greatest achievement. He was deeply proud of his children:

Jeffrey and Shelley – Pastors of the Pentecostals of Peoria

Jonathan and Carie – Associate Pastors at the Pentecostals of Peoria

Adina and Kevin – Ministers at Apostolic Pentecostal Church, Bloomington, IL

Bishop Lashley’s final years were marked not by retirement, but by refinement. Even through serious illness, heart attacks and COVID-19, he continued to teach, pray, encourage, and speak life. His guiding philosophy remained: “If I can fly, I’ll soar. If I can’t fly, I’ll run. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. If I can’t crawl, I’ll get a crutch or a wheelchair. But nothing will stop me from doing the will of God.” Indeed—Nothing did!

He now joins that “great cloud of witnesses,” leaving behind a church still consumed with the fire he helped ignite and a family strengthened by the truth he lived. He is now fully experiencing the aim of his life and the admonition he gave to all:

“Fellowship His presence, Abide under His anointing, and you will Behold His glory.”

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:21

A visitation will be held Sunday, July 27, from 4-7 PM at the Pentecostals of Peoria, 3510 W Malone St, Peoria, IL. An additional visitation will be held Monday, July 28, at 9:30 AM with the Celebration of Life Service to follow at 11:30 AM at Richwoods Christian Church, 8115 Knoxville Ave, Peoria, IL.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pentecostals of Peoria “Building for the Promise” campaign.

This is the means by which Bishop Lashley’s vision of a new church campus in the heart of Peoria will soon be fulfilled. Donations may be mailed to the Pentecostals of Peoria, 3510 W Malone St, Peoria, IL, 61605.