T. L. Barrett
Thomas Lee Barrett Jr. (born January 13, 1944), known professionally as T. L. Barrett, is an American Pentecostal preacher, gospel musician, and community organizer who pastored Life Center Church of God in Christ on Chicago's South Side from 1968 until his retirement in April 2024 after 56 years of leadership.[1][2] Barrett founded the church's Youth for Christ Choir as an after-school program and recorded soul-infused gospel albums with the group in the 1970s, including Like a Ship (Without a Sail) (1971) and Do Not Pass Me By (1976), which blended spiritual messages with funk and soul arrangements featuring session musicians like Phil Upchurch.[3][4] These recordings remained obscure outside local circles until reissues in the 2010s and sampling by contemporary artists, such as Kanye West's use of "Father I Stretch My Hands" on The Life of Pablo (2016), brought renewed attention to his innovative fusion of preaching and music.[3][5] In community work, he organized bus trips for the Million Man March (1995) and collaborated with gangs and pastors to curb urban violence, earning recognition from Illinois officials for civic programs like Big Brother/Big Sister initiatives.[1][4] Barrett's tenure included a major controversy in 1989, when a Cook County Circuit Court judge ruled him liable in a civil case for operating pyramid schemes that defrauded approximately 1,570 congregants of $2.257 million through false promises of high investment returns tied to church economic development funds; he agreed to $1.3 million in restitution but faced no criminal charges.[6][7][8]Early Life and Background
Birth and Upbringing
Thomas Lee Barrett Jr. was born on January 13, 1944, at Queens General Hospital in Jamaica, Queens, New York.[9][1] He was the third child of Thomas L. Barrett Sr., a part-time gospel performer originally from the Mississippi Delta, and Eddie Mae Barrett.[9][1] In 1952, at age eight, Barrett's family moved from New York to Chicago's South Side to support his aunt in developing a local church congregation.[10] There, he was raised in a deeply religious household led by his father, who served as a pastor and continued performing gospel music, instilling in Barrett an early exposure to Pentecostal traditions and musical expression within the Church of God in Christ framework.[3][1]Education and Early Influences
Thomas Lee Barrett Jr. was born on January 13, 1944, in Jamaica, Long Island, New York, into a family steeped in gospel music and religious tradition; his father, originating from the Mississippi Delta, performed part-time with the Southern Wonders gospel group and served as a spiritual guide, instilling discipline by correcting Barrett's slang and emphasizing precise language.[1][10] At age three, Barrett joined the family ensemble known as the Barrett Singers, marking the onset of his musical exposure within Pentecostal circles.[5] The family relocated to Chicago's South Side in 1952 to aid an aunt in founding a church, immersing Barrett in a vibrant community of gospel performance and ministry.[10] Barrett's formal schooling began in Chicago's public system, where he attended elementary institutions including Medill, Doolittle, Gregory, and Douglas before enrolling at Wendell Phillips Academy High School.[9] There, academic struggles culminated in his expulsion at age 16, compounded by the sudden death of his father that same year, after which Barrett returned to Queens, New York.[10][9] In New York, he secured a high school equivalency diploma through the state Board of Regents in 1961 and took up odd jobs, such as removing organs from cadavers at a hospital and working as an "executive shoeshine man," while honing piano skills that led to performances at venues like the Waldorf Astoria and Village Gate.[1] These formative hardships, alongside his father's legacy, fueled a sense of resilience and divine purpose.[10] Sensing a vocational call to ministry amid these challenges, Barrett enrolled at Bethel Bible College (also referred to as Bethel Bible Institute), graduating with honors before passing the New York State Board of Regents ministerial examination.[1][9] Key influences included the energetic gospel music of Pentecostal churches, familial musical traditions, and interactions with prominent figures such as C. L. Franklin, a distant relative and influential preacher whom Barrett met while playing piano in New York.[10] These elements—combining personal adversity, religious upbringing, and exposure to masterful oratory and song—laid the groundwork for Barrett's integrated approach to preaching and music.[10][1]Ministry and Community Leadership
Establishment of Life Center COGIC
In 1976, T. L. Barrett organized the Life Center Church of God in Christ (COGIC) on Chicago's South Side, following his tenure as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, which he had led since March 1968.[9] The new church emerged from Barrett's vision for a ministry emphasizing Pentecostal worship and community outreach, initially retaining elements of its predecessor before fully affiliating with the COGIC denomination.[10] It was established in the same Englewood neighborhood as Mt. Zion, at 5512 S. Lafayette Avenue, before relocating to 5500 S. Indiana Avenue.[11] The founding reflected Barrett's shift toward charismatic theology, incorporating practices like speaking in tongues and vibrant gospel music, which contrasted with traditional Baptist structures.[2] Under his leadership, the church quickly grew, attracting hundreds of congregants through dynamic services and youth programs, including the formation of choirs that blended spiritual and musical innovation. By 1982, Barrett oversaw the construction of the "Prayer Palace," a larger facility symbolizing the church's expansion and commitment to holistic ministry, including evangelism, education, and social services amid urban challenges like poverty and crime.[9] Life Center COGIC positioned itself as a beacon for spiritual renewal in a high-crime area, with Barrett's sermons focusing on prosperity gospel themes, personal empowerment, and biblical literalism, drawing from his experiences in New York and Chicago. The church's early years laid the foundation for its role as a community anchor, hosting events that integrated faith with cultural expression, though it later faced scrutiny over financial practices.[1]Preaching Style and Theological Emphasis
Barrett's preaching style is characterized by rhythmic delivery, sharp intonation, and the incorporation of humor and relatable cultural references to engage congregations. Influenced by Baptist minister C.L. Franklin, he employs stretched syllables, timed pauses, and witty metaphors, such as referencing "Hawaiian Punch" advertisements to illustrate spiritual truths, blending oratorical flair with everyday accessibility.[10] This charismatic approach, honed through his father's guidance on public speaking, aligns with Pentecostal traditions in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), where sermons often integrate music and emotional intensity to evoke spiritual responses.[10] Theologically, Barrett emphasizes a present-oriented faith drawing from New Thought principles, asserting God's omnipresence in daily life rather than solely in the afterlife, which fosters personal empowerment and community redemption through forgiveness and action.[10] His sermons underscore practical applications of doctrine, including civic responsibility—such as urging physically able congregants to vote, stating, "If you are physically able to vote, and you choose not to, I would prefer you join another church"—reflecting an activist bent that ties spiritual duty to social and political engagement.[10] Within COGIC's Pentecostal framework, this manifests in calls for Holy Spirit-led transformation, youth evangelism, and upliftment in underserved Chicago neighborhoods like the Robert Taylor Homes, prioritizing redemption and empowerment over abstract eschatology.[10]Activism and Political Involvement
Barrett has emphasized voter registration among his parishioners as a means of civic engagement within the Black Church tradition.[10] In 1995, he organized busloads of men from Chicago to participate in the Million Man March in Washington, D.C., promoting themes of personal responsibility and community unity.[1] He later served as a regional coordinator for the 2000 Million Family March, extending his involvement in national events focused on family strengthening and social cohesion.[1] Barrett collaborated with Chicago-area pastors and even gang members to address urban crime reduction, reflecting his hands-on approach to community safety initiatives.[1] His activism extended to supporting figures like Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo on family values advocacy, aligning with his theological emphasis on moral and social order.[1] In 1988, Barrett launched an economic development program at Life Center Church aimed at generating funds for ministry expansion, including radio and television outreach, while promising community job creation and growth; weekly sessions incorporated political awareness discussions to educate participants on civic issues.[12] He hosted prominent leaders such as Jesse Jackson and recognized local citizen contributions to foster community involvement.[12] Despite stating a preference against blending religion and politics—"I don’t think religion and politics should mix" and "I’m not a politician. I’m a preacher"—Barrett acknowledged politics' impact on church affairs, justifying selective engagement to influence community outcomes.[13]Musical Career
Formation of Youth for Christ Choir
In the late 1960s, Reverend T. L. Barrett established the Youth for Christ Choir as an extension of his pastoral work at Mount Zion Church in Chicago's South Side, drawing from the congregation's youth to foster spiritual discipline and musical talent amid urban challenges.[3][4] The ensemble, comprising approximately 40 to 45 members aged 12 to 19, originated from Barrett's Tuesday night rehearsals, evolving into a structured after-school program that emphasized gospel singing as a tool for moral and communal upliftment.[10][14] Barrett, then in his mid-20s and newly installed as pastor in 1967, envisioned the choir as a vehicle to instill hope and resilience in inner-city teenagers facing poverty, violence, and social decay, aligning with his Pentecostal emphasis on transformative faith experiences.[15][5] Participants, primarily from the church's local community, underwent rigorous training in vocal harmonies, rhythmic precision, and scriptural integration, reflecting Barrett's innovative blend of traditional gospel with soul-infused arrangements.[16] This formation predated the group's first recordings, such as the 1971 album Like a Ship (I'm Standing on the Promises of God), which showcased their debut under Barrett's direction on the Gospel Truth label.[17][18] The choir's structure prioritized youth empowerment, with Barrett serving as conductor, arranger, and spiritual guide, often incorporating live instrumentation from church musicians to amplify the ensemble's dynamic sound.[10] By engaging participants in performances at church services and community events, the program not only honed musical skills but also reinforced Barrett's ministry goal of countering secular influences through disciplined, faith-centered activity, sustaining the group's activity into the 1970s amid his transition to Life Center Church of God in Christ.[3][4]Recording and Musical Innovations
In 1971, Pastor T. L. Barrett recorded and self-released the album Like a Ship (Without a Sail) with his Youth for Christ Choir on the Gospel Roots label, featuring tracks that integrated gospel vocals over funky bass lines provided by musicians Philip Upchurch and Richard Evans, alongside keyboard flourishes by Gary Jones and Barrett himself.[19] [13] The recording incorporated jazzy instrumental elements and stylish arrangements influenced by contemporary hits like Edwin Hawkins' "Oh Happy Day," marking an early effort to modernize gospel by drawing on secular soul and funk rhythms, such as those reminiscent of Sly Stone's productions.[19] Barrett followed with additional 1970s releases, including Do Not Pass Me By in 1972 and I Found the Answer in 1973, produced under his own label and emphasizing multitrack layering of the choir's call-and-response patterns with improvisational leads from Barrett's vocals.[13] These works utilized Chicago-based session players to achieve a rhythmic complexity uncommon in traditional gospel ensembles, which often relied on simpler organ-driven church accompaniments, thereby pioneering a crossover style that blended spiritual lyrics with R&B-infused grooves to appeal to younger audiences.[19] [5] Barrett's innovations lay in his self-taught approach to arrangement, forgoing formal musical training to create "transcendental" songs that rewrote gospel conventions by prioritizing emotional intensity through layered harmonies and prominent bass-driven propulsion, as evident in tracks like "Nobody Knows" and "Wonderful."[5] [13] This fusion not only energized the 40- to 45-member Youth for Christ Choir's performances but also distinguished his output from era-standard gospel by introducing secular production techniques, such as enhanced instrumental separation, to heighten the music's accessibility and rhythmic drive without diluting its theological core.[19]Influence on Gospel and Sampling Legacy
Barrett's recordings with the Youth for Christ Choir pioneered a fusion of traditional gospel with funk and soul elements, incorporating rhythmic grooves and secular influences like Sly Stone alongside spiritual roots akin to Mahalia Jackson, which expanded gospel's sonic palette in the 1970s.[16][20] This innovative style, characterized by energetic choir arrangements and orchestral swells, emphasized evangelism through accessible, crossover appeal, influencing subsequent gospel artists by demonstrating how sacred music could engage younger audiences with contemporary production techniques.[21][15] Albums such as Like a Ship (Without a Sail) (1971) exemplified this approach, featuring tracks with rapturous vocals and funky basslines that bridged church and popular music spheres.[22] Barrett's emphasis on modern arrangements in the late 1960s choir formation helped sustain gospel's relevance amid cultural shifts, as evidenced by the enduring performance of his works in Chicago's black community.[23] Barrett's sampling legacy gained prominence in hip-hop after reissues spotlighted his catalog, with tracks from Like a Ship (Without a Sail) sampled by artists including Kanye West, DJ Khaled, T.I., and Khalid.[13][5] Specifically, "Nobody Knows" informed DJ Khaled's 2017 track "Nobody" featuring Alicia Keys and Nicki Minaj, while elements of "Like a Ship" appeared in Copywrite's 2014 song "Trouble" and Loyle Carner's 2022 "Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)."[24] These usages, amplified by the 2010 Light in the Attic reissue of Like a Ship and Numero Group's 2021 box set I Shall Wear a Crown, introduced Barrett's gospel-funk hybrids to secular producers, fostering a cross-genre dialogue that highlighted gospel's rhythmic foundations in hip-hop production.[4][10]Controversies and Legal Challenges
Pyramid Scheme Allegations and Convictions
In the late 1980s, Thomas Lee Barrett Jr., pastor of the Life Center Church of God in Christ in Chicago, was accused of operating multiple pyramid schemes disguised as economic development and investment programs targeted at his congregation and community members.[12] These schemes, promoted through church-related entities, promised high returns on small investments but relied on recruiting new participants to pay earlier investors, leading to widespread financial losses.[25] Investigations revealed that the operations involved nearly 1,922 participants and collected approximately $3 million, with Barrett encouraging investments during sermons and church events.[25] By early 1989, Cook County authorities had linked Barrett to at least three such schemes, defrauding around 1,570 individuals of over $1.3 million in total.[4] Prosecutors described the programs as classic pyramid structures lacking legitimate economic viability, where returns depended solely on an expanding base of new contributors rather than productive assets or business activity.[12] Barrett maintained that the initiatives were legitimate cooperative investment efforts aimed at community empowerment, not fraudulent enterprises, though court findings rejected this characterization.[13] In June 1990, Barrett entered an agreement in Cook County Circuit Court to make full restitution of more than $1.3 million to at least 940 victims, avoiding incarceration through this plea arrangement.[6] The court ordered repayment as a condition of resolving the charges, with the judge explicitly deeming the operations pyramid schemes that exploited participants' trust in Barrett's pastoral authority.[4] No prison sentence was imposed, but the restitution obligation stemmed from a conviction-equivalent judicial determination of liability for the fraud.[7] Subsequent reports confirmed the schemes' unsustainability, as they collapsed when recruitment stalled, leaving most investors with total losses.[10]Impact on Ministry and Public Perception
The pyramid scheme allegations and subsequent legal proceedings severely impacted Barrett's ministry at Life Center Church of God in Christ, halving attendance to roughly 300-500 members by late 1989 and necessitating the merger of morning services into a single 11 a.m. slot.[12] Approximately 1,800 claimants sought refunds from investments exceeding $1 million, with around $180,000 in funds frozen by authorities, straining church finances and operations.[12] In June 1990, Barrett entered a court agreement to repay $1.3 million to 940 verified victims of the schemes, initiated in May 1988 with $1,500 investments promising rapid returns through recruitment; payments were scheduled in installments through 1998, backed by potential sales of church property, his home, and vacant lots if unmet, though some thousands had already been refunded.[6] He planned to fund restitution via speeches, donations from ministerial allies, and supporter contributions, avoiding immediate incarceration but facing ongoing contempt risks for 172 early "winners."[6][12] Public scrutiny intensified through local television investigations, such as those by reporter Pam Zekman, portraying Barrett as orchestrating fraudulent economic development programs rather than legitimate ministry initiatives, which he downplayed from the pulpit.[12] Despite the reputational damage, Barrett sustained his pastoral leadership without formal ecclesiastical discipline, continuing to preach, propose recovery campaigns like the "All-American Smile" initiative, and engage in community and interfaith activities for decades.[12][2] Long-term perception reflected a duality: the scandals persisted as a marker of controversy in biographical accounts of his gospel music career, often framed by Barrett as missteps in ambitious fundraising, yet yielding to acclaim for his theological and musical influence, evidenced by archival reissues and sampling in contemporary works.[13] He retired from the pulpit in 2024 after 56 years, transitioning to advisory roles while maintaining community ties.[2]Later Years and Retirement
Recent Musical Reissues
In September 2021, Numero Group released I Shall Wear a Crown, a five-LP box set compiling 49 tracks from Pastor T.L. Barrett's 1970s recordings with the Youth for Christ Choir, including remastered reissues of his core albums Like a Ship (Without a Sail) (1971), Do Not Pass Me By Volume I (1973), Do Not Pass Me By Volume II (1976), and additional material such as sermons and rarities spanning two decades of his musical output.[26][27] The set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl with gold foil detailing and extensive liner notes featuring photos and contextual essays, aimed to provide a definitive archival tribute to Barrett's gospel innovations, highlighting his fusion of fervent preaching, choir arrangements, and psychedelic soul elements.[28][14] Individual reissues accompanied the box set, with Numero Group remastering Do Not Pass Me By Volume II for standalone vinyl release, updating its original generic cover to align with Barrett's intended vision and emphasizing tracks like extended choir-led renditions of spirituals.[29] In 2022, a limited clear vinyl edition of Like a Ship (Without a Sail) was reissued, preserving the album's original 1971 sequencing of 10 tracks recorded by Barrett at age 27 with his after-school choir, noted for its raw energy and influence on subsequent crate-digging collectors.[30] These reissues, building on earlier efforts like Light in the Attic's 2010 CD edition of Like a Ship, renewed interest in Barrett's work amid growing recognition of 1970s Chicago gospel's role in proto-funk and sampling culture, though no major new archival releases have emerged through 2025.[31][20]Retirement from Pastoral Role
In April 2024, after 56 years of pastoral leadership beginning in 1968, T. L. Barrett stepped down as senior pastor of The Life Center Church of God in Christ in Chicago.[1][2] At age 80—born January 13, 1944—Barrett characterized the move not as a traditional retirement but as a "refirement," enabling him to pursue a "next assignment" aligned with divine purpose.[1][2] He emphasized that all prior endeavors under God's direction had energized him, stating, "Everything that I have done that is ordered by God is my assignment. So, when God gives you an assignment, you should be fired up."[2] The transition was marked by a three-day celebratory event from April 26 to 28, 2024, comprising a gospel concert on the first day, a banquet on the second, and a concluding church service on the third, drawing community members to honor his contributions to spiritual guidance, music, and local outreach.[2] Barrett expressed anticipation for renewed vitality in upcoming pursuits, seeking "another cosmic burst of energy" beyond active church administration.[2] Congregational leadership transitioned to Barrett's children: daughter Pastoress Kisha Barrett and son Pastor Torrey L. Barrett, ensuring continuity in the church's mission amid his shift to advisory or external roles.[2] This refirement followed decades of service that included founding related ministries and integrating gospel music into evangelism, though it did not terminate his broader motivational speaking or recording activities.[1]Personal Life
Family and Relationships
T.L. Barrett married Cleopatra, a New York native, on July 1, 1967, shortly after his return to Chicago from New York.[9] The couple's union produced seven children.[9] [32] Among their children are Pastoress Kisha Barrett, who serves in a pastoral role, and Pastor Torrey L. Barrett, both involved in continuing Barrett's ministerial legacy at Life Center Church of God in Christ.[2] Kleo Y. Barrett, the youngest daughter born on October 13, 1980, was noted for her community involvement before her passing.[32] Barrett and Cleopatra experienced a period of separation lasting approximately 10 years, during which Barrett attributed a reconciliation to spiritual intervention amid his involvement in revival tours.[33] By 2024, the couple remained united, jointly honored in celebrations marking Barrett's retirement from active pastorship.[2] Barrett has publicly emphasized family values, aligning with his support for figures promoting marital and familial stability within religious contexts.[1]Health and Current Status
Reverend Thomas L. Barrett, born January 13, 1944, was 81 years old as of October 2025.[1] Following his retirement from the senior pastoral role at Life Center Church of God in Christ in May 2024 after 56 years of service, Barrett described the transition as "retiring for refiring," indicating plans to pursue renewed personal and ministerial endeavors while entrusting leadership to his children, Pastoress Kisha Barrett and Pastor Torrey L. Barrett.[2][34] No major health issues have been publicly disclosed for Barrett in recent years, with his retirement attributed to age and a desire for legacy succession rather than medical necessity.[2] He remains active in public appearances, including speaking engagements as late as November 2024.[35] Social media updates from his official Facebook page and related church accounts through October 2025 reflect ongoing community involvement without indications of diminished capacity.[36]Discography
Studio Albums
Pastor T.L. Barrett's studio albums, recorded primarily in the 1970s with the accompaniment of the Youth for Christ Choir, blend traditional gospel with soul influences, reflecting his role as a Chicago-based Pentecostal preacher and musical director. These releases were produced under his Mt. Zion Gospel Productions label or affiliated imprints, emphasizing themes of faith, redemption, and communal worship.[37][22] His debut, Like a Ship (Without a Sail), released in 1971, features eight tracks including the title song and "It's Me O Lord (Standing in the Need of Prayer)," recorded with a choir of local youth to promote spiritual guidance amid urban challenges.[38][39] The album's raw, emotive arrangements drew from Barrett's experiences pastoring at the New Mt. Zion Temple Church.[40] Subsequent releases include I Found the Answer in 1973, which explores personal testimony through gospel standards, and Do Not Pass Me By (Vol. I) in 1976, known for its fervent choir performances and tracks like the title cut.[41][42] Roots, issued in 1977, delves into foundational spiritual motifs, while Lord's Prayer followed in 1979, incorporating prayer recitations with harmonic backing.[43][41]| Album Title | Release Year | Label/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Like a Ship (Without a Sail) | 1971 | Mt. Zion Gospel; 8 tracks, youth choir focus[38] |
| I Found the Answer | 1973 | Gospel-oriented testimonies[41] |
| Do Not Pass Me By (Vol. I) | 1976 | Emphasizes supplication themes[42] |
| Roots | 1977 | Explores spiritual origins[43] |
| Lord's Prayer | 1979 | Integrates liturgical elements[41] |