Reverend Morris, born in Paducah, Kentucky, is the son of the late Samuel and Mattie Wright Morris. He is married to Lisha DeGail Morris (nee) Price. They have three Sons, Damien, Tyler and Dominique. Reverend Morris entered the Ministry in 1979. He has pastored in the states of Kentucky, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois and Missouri, and is currently the proud Pastor of the historic Lane Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Reverend Morris was educated in the public schools system of Paducah, Kentucky. He graduated with honors from Paducah Tilghman High School, where he served as Class President for all three years. He was inducted into the Who’s Who for High School Students. During his junior year, Reverend Morris studied Government and Fiscal Administration in Italy. While in his senior year, he was appointed by Governor Julian Carroll of Kentucky to be Ambassador of Goodwill representing Kentucky in Iceland, Luxemburg, France, Germany, and Austria. In 1979 he was chosen by the faculty of Paducah Tilghman High School to represent the school as a delegate to Kentucky Boys State. He was selected because he was in the upper 3% of his class academically. Once there he excelled and was elected by his peers from across the state as Governor of Bluegrass Boys State. Over the next two years he traveled across the state speaking to youth groups encouraging them to get a good education and to consider public service as a career. As Boys State Governor, he traveled to Washington, DC and met with President Jimmy Carter.
Rev. Morris received the Carr four year Presidential Scholarship to Murray State University. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Political Science/Public Administration with a Minor in religion. While at Murray State he was elected President of the Woods Hall Association and a member of the Student Senate. He became a College Chaplain and organized the campuses first Black Ecumenical Ministry. In addition, he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. When the colleges Board of Regents made it public that they would not renew the presidents contract, Rev. Morris organized and led the campus wide protest which resulted in the boards reversal of their plan to fire the colleges President. In 2005 he was recognized as an Outstanding African-American Alumnus during homecoming Festivities.
In 1984 Rev. Morris enrolled in the Interdenominational Theological Seminary/Phillips School of Theology. Quickly making a name for himself, he became active in student affairs. He was elected President of the Class and President of the Student Association for all three years of his matriculation. He organized and operated the schools first on campus bookstore called the Phillips Bookstore. He was selected as a delegate from the seminary to the World Council of Churches in Switzerland. He also represented the seminary as a delegate of to the National Council of Churches meetings for three years.
Rev. Morris continued his studies at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and Ashford School of Religion earning a Masters degree in Religious Education in 1987. In 1990 he received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Canterbury University.
While serving as Pastor of Cleaves Memorial Church in Denver, Colorado, Rev Morris was extremely active in the community. He helped to organize the Metropolitan Organization for People (MOP) this group was successful in stopping the red-lining of Denver banks, the racist and discriminatory practices of Colorado are banking industry. With Rev. Morris leading the charge, MOP’s lobbying tactics ushered in the first legislation in the states history making branch banking legal in Colorado. Rev. Morris was also elected President of Denver’s Ministerial Alliance and received the Pastor of the Year Award on two separate occasions. While in Denver he received many city, county and state awards for his humanitarian efforts.
While serving as pastor of St. Peter CME Church in Kansas City, Kansas, Reverend Morris joined the faculty and staff of St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri serving as Assistant Dean of Admissions, then becoming Director of Student Development. He was also Instructor of African American Methodism, Black Church History and Field Education.
He has twice served as a Presiding Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He first came to St. Louis in 1994 as Presiding Elder of the St. Louis District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, supervising the work of over 25 ministers and 14 congregations. He served for three quadrennials on the Episcopal Committee and is currently a member of the CME Church General Connectional Board.
Rev. Morris is a member of the Southeast Missouri Illinois and Wisconsin Annual Conference Joint Board of Finance and is Assistant Dean of the Leadership Training School, a member of the Economic Development Committee and Conference Trustee. He is the Past President of the St. Louis District Ministerial Alliance, having served with distinction for five years.
Since his arrival in St. Louis he has distinguished himself as a true statesman and a champion for the rights of people. He served as President of Missouri ACORN Clergy Association, and Vice-President of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis. He was a Charter member of Clergy and Citizens for Safety and Justice. President of Operation Respond and Provide St. Louis, an agency which sent food, clothing and over $30,000 to the gulf coast region for relief of victims of Hurricane Katrina. For this work he was recognized and honored by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church International during its Annual Convocation in Louisville. Kentucky. He serves as Chairman, of the Board of Civil and Human Rights for SEIU Local 2000. Rev. Morris is a member of the Board of Directors of St. Louis Jobs for Justice. He is a member of the Religious Leaders Coalition of the Missouri Democratic Party. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Interfaith Partnership, Faith Beyond Walls, Human Enrichment and Development Association, Family and Children Services Association, Missouri Christian Health Alliance. Missouri Healthcare for All, St. Louis Clergy Coalition. He is a founding member and Co-Chair for M.O.S.E.S. (Metropolitan Organization Strengthening and Empowering Society). Rev. Morris is a member of the St. Louis City branch of the NAACP, an affiliate of the St. Louis County Branch of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
He has made significant contributions and provided leadership for the campaign for Living Wage, Insuring the Un-Insured, Worker’s rights, Labor Issues, Health Care, Social Security, Medicaid, Jobs with Justice, Senior Citizens Rights and Peoples with Disabilities to name a few. He has successfully lead the fight to restore Missouri’s Medicaid cuts. Lead marches and protests throughout the state of Missouri. He has appeared on numerous talk shows and panels fighting for people’s rights. Most recently, he helped lead the fight which resulted in the passing of a constitutional amendment for the state of Missouri, known as the Stem Cell Initiative. He is also responsible for leading the charge to get the states minimum wage increased. He has received hundreds of awards and recognitions for his service to the citizens of Missouri. In the December 2006 issue of St. Louis Magazine. Rev. Morris is featured as one of St. Louis’ Fifty Most Powerful People (stlmag.com).
He has hosted his own radio talk show named “Speaking Truthfully” locally on 920AM, as well as being featured on radio KXEN, with his show entitled, “It’s A Brand New Day”.
He has published several articles and journals and is currently working on completing his first book.
He is the Missouri State Representative for the 58th District.
41. The Rev. James T. Morris Pastor, Lane Tabernacle CME Church When the state voter-ID law was passed earlier this year, Morris met with Secretary of State Robin Carnahan and labor unions to organize a network to help poor, elderly and disabled voters cast their ballots. A self-described “liberation theologian,” Morris is fearless in the face of controversy, speaking out against the death penalty and police brutality while supporting stem-cell research. As one observer notes, his willingness to “stick his neck out there” because it’s the right thing to do is what gives him authority in the eyes of so many.
In 2007: Just because another controversy-ridden election year has passed, don’t expect Morris to gear down—there’s still plenty of poverty, suffering and oppression to heal.
To view the entire article go to www.stlmag.com December 2006 issue
JAN 6, 2010 - PRESS RELEASE James T. Morris State Representative 58th District
REP. MORRIS NAMED TO HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. - State Rep. James T. Morris, D-St. Louis, has been appointed to the House Ethics Committee, which has jurisdiction to investigate complaints of misconduct, corruption or neglect of duty against members of the Missouri House of Representatives.
Morris is an ordained minister and currently serves at Lane Tabernacle C.M.E. Church in St. Louis. He is serving his first term in the House.
"Missourians expect their elected officials to serve ethically and honorably," Morris said. "Unfortunately, some lawmakers in recent years have failed to live up to that expectation. As a member of the House of Ethics Committee, I will strive to raise ethical standards in the state Capitol."
