Rev. B. J. Tatum is a native of Marshall, Texas. His
ministry began at age five, and he was ordained as a Minister
of the Gospel at age twelve. Prior to relocating to Urbana
in 1971, he was employed on the managerial level at Motorola,
Inc. in Chicago.
As Founding and Senior Pastor of Canaan Baptist Church
in Urbana, Rev. B. J. Tatum instituted a plethora of Evangelism
and Discipleship ministries that have impacted the Champaign-Urban
community. The ministries at Canaan are replete with Expository
Preaching, Effective Teaching, Educational Excellence,
Economic Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, and an Environment
of Hope for Substance Abusers.
Rev. Tatum implemented an Evangelistic Soul Winning Action
Team (SWAT) that has canvassed neighborhoods since June
8, 1980 sharing the Good News of the Gospel with lost
souls. Over 35,000 homes have been visited, and more than
1,500 souls have been saved.
A Discipleship Follow-Up Ministry was launched February
15, 1988. People Available to Contact and Encourage (PACE)
encourage and edify weak and backslidden Christians.
Rev. Tatum is Superintendent of Canaan Academy, a private
elementary school which he envisioned over 20 years, and
which became a reality September 9, 1996. Under his leadership,
construction of a new building for grades Pre-Kindergarten
through five was completed in 1999. Students are academic
achievers, and are scoring in the 97th percentile nationwide.
The school is recognized by the Illinois State Board of
Education.
He is Director and CEO of Canaan Credit Union, the fulfillment
of his dream for economic empowerment that offers a practical
approach to solving the problem of persistent economic
violence that has historically plagued the African American
community. The Credit Union opened its window to the future
October 12, 2001. People now "Bank at God's House."
He is President and CEO of Canaan Development Foundation,
a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.
Canaan's Substance Abuse Ministry was the model for a
separate male and female residential SAFE House (Substance
Abuse Free Environment) where men and women can break
free from controlling addictions and troublesome habits.
SAFE House is recognized by the Champaign County Court
System as an option for substance abusers.
A mentoring Ministry for men and women and boys and girls
emanated from his weekly Men's Discipleship Class that
is designed to empower African American men in the areas
of parenting, successful relationships, self-esteem, and
being role models in the community.
Rev. Tatum was an Auxiliary Chaplain at Chanute Air Force
Base in Rantoul and served 12 years as Pastor/Director
of a Sunday Inspirational Hour. He was the first African
American Chaplain to provide worship services and pastoral
duties. He traveled to other Air Bases preaching the Gospel
and establishing an Inspirational Hour. Rev. Tatum received
international prominence when he was invited as guest
evangelist to the United States Armed Forces in Crete,
Greece. This Christian mission was highlighted by the
baptizing of four candidates in the Aegean Sea, which
was a "first" for the Island of Crete.
He and his wife, Barbara, are parents of three children:
Stephanie Tatum, Ph.D., College Professor in New York;
Bryant Tatum, Principal of Canaan Academy and a doctoral
student at the University of Illinois; and Yolanda Tatum-Brown,
a registered pharmacist in Houston, Texas. (A daughter,
Pamela, is deceased. She was a Probation Officer.) They
have 3 grandsons.
