About Prayer Tabernacle

Reverend R.J. Roff was directed by God to begin his pastorage at 3753 South Ellis Avenue In the back, in the basement, in the dark, in the water, with the dogs. Without a member on February 1, 1965, he was there and it was between 6 and 10 degrees below zero. Pastor Roff, held his first service on Monday night. The Lord blessed the service in a great way, and fifteen People came that night. Pastor Roff thanked God for making it possible For him to conduct his first service in the back, in the basement, in the Dark, in the water, with the dogs. The rent was $35.00 per month, And what a struggle it was to pay that rent. After three months, the Church moved to 3743 South Cottage Grove Avenue, we praise God for the deliverance, for we did not have to go In the back, in the basement, in the dark, in the water, with the dogs. We were in the front, in the light in the smoke.

The Church went through many crises, stood many storms on Cottage Grove Avenue, but being divinely inspired, Pastor Roff held on to God for deliverance. In February 1967, because of Urban Renewal, Prayer Tabernacle Church moved to 5511-13 South Indiana Avenue. Many discouraging things were said to Pastor Roff.

Pastor Roff would continue to teach Matthew 7:7, His message was...

"WHAT TO SEE IS WHAT YOU GET"

"I'M HOLDNG ON TO MY FAITH,

AND IF YOU HOLD OUT, DELIVERANCE WLL COME."

It was a great struggle until the latter part of 1971 when he Lord blessed Prayer Tabernacle a great way. God in His magnificent splendor had a greater blessing awaiting his people.

On May 1, 1975, our Pastor's prophecy was no longer a dream visioned In the minds of his followers, but it became a reality.  Yes, on May 1, 1975 we motorcaded from 5511-13 South Indiana to 9521-35 South Prospect Avenue in Beverly Hills. The Lord had blessed us with one of most unique and elaborate Sanctuaries  in the Chicagoland area.

That's why Pastor Roff along with his Prayer Tabernacle Family can say without A doubt....

"JESUS, YOU BROUGHT ME ALL  WAY..

PTC AFFIRMATION FROM OUR FOUNDER, BISHOP R. J. ROFF: My Mind is my Mind. My Mind is God’s Mind. God’s Mind is My Mind. There is no Separation in Divine Mind. For I’m Happy, I’m Healthy, and I’m Prosperous. God is, I am, and So It Is!

Our current Pastor, James R. Bryson, Jr. is continuing the vision with rebuilding the Church and bringing many souls to Jesus Christ!!!

 Reverend James R. Bryson, Jr., is an accomplished Preacher/Teacher, Musician, Minister of Music, Workshop Facilitator, Businessman, Entrepreneur and Pastor.

In 1993, James accepted the call to ministry and was ordained. by Rev. Dr. B. Herbert Martin, Sr. (Pastor of Progressive Community Church) Rev. Huford Norwood (Pastor of Maryland Avenue Baptist Church) and Rev. Theodore A. Richardson (Pastor of Metropolitan Community Church, Chicago, IL.). While continuing to serve as Progressive’s Minister of Music, Reverend Bryson served as Associate Minister and Church Administrator. He also served as Project Manager for the National Progressive Institute for Community Development, the church’s 501(3) entity which developed and managed the church’s successful multi-family housing initiatives.

He continued to serve other churches such as St. Ailbe Catholic Church, Chicago, IL, First Church of Deliverance, Chicago, IL., Oakdale Covenant Church, Chicago, IL., Progressive Baptist Church, Chicago, IL, and St. Mark United Methodist Church.

Reverend Bryson graduated from Governors State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (Cum Laude) and as a member of the Alpha Iota Sigma Honor Society. He received his Master of Divinity at McCormick Theological Seminary Chicago.

In addition to ministerial and musical assignments throughout the years, Reverend Bryson is also an accomplished business professional having served as Cash Management Officer of the First National Bank of Chicago, Administrator of the Catholic Charities Housing Development Corp, and Regional Sales and Marketing Director of Senior Lifestyle Corp. Reverend Bryson also founded Senior Housing Search, Inc. and Bryson Development Associates which provided senior housing search services and developer consulting services until 2016.

Reverend Bryson was elected by the First Church of Deliverance to serve as Pastor on October 30, 2016, and served in that capacity until June 15, 2024.

On March 2, 2025, the Board of Directors appointed Reverend James R. Bryson, Jr., as the Pastor of Prayer Tabernacle Church and he affirmed the teachings of the Founder, Bishop R. J. Roff to lead the congregation, friends, and community to a higher level of spiritual consciousness. This level of thinking makes one depart from fear and uncertainty and live in complete and utter abundance.

He strives to love his family and develop them for the calls placed upon their lives. Reverend Bryson is the proud father of James R. Bryson, III, Justin A. Bryson, Tarnisha Smith and Yolanda Moorehead as well as the grandfather of Johnavan Bryson and Xavier Smith and sees great promise in their respective futures. He is also blessed to have two siblings, Joyce Bryson and Paul Bryson and a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives who show much love and devotion for him and his callings.

Pastor Bryson remains deeply committed to the scripture from I Corinthians 9:22, that defines his motivation….“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”