Jacki's Bio

Rev. Jacki Belile, CEC, ELI-MP

Rev. Jacki Belile, the founder of Living Well Ministries (LWM), is an ordained American Baptist minister and certified empowerment coach. Jacki is committed to serving individuals and groups who seek to live in greater spiritual, physical and/or organizational vitality. She grew up in a fundamentalist church in North Dakota, attended evangelical Taylor University in Indiana, and moved to Chicago with her life partner in 1990. Jacki holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work (from Taylor) and a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. She received certification as a life coach from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and is a member of the International Coach Federation.

Jacki has previously worked in the fields of health ministry and interfaith dialogue. Since 2000, she has led retreats and seminars on topics including befriending the Bible, forgiveness, balanced living, stress management and spiritual disciplines.

The first "out" member of the LGBT communities approved for ordination in the American Baptist Churches-USA, Jacki has previously served as pastor of two welcoming and affirming congregations: Phoenix Community Church (Kalamazoo, MI) and Grace Baptist Church (Chicago). Through the ministry of LWM, she enjoys serving as guest preacher, retreat leader and teacher in a wide variety of ecumenical settings.

A child of the Welcoming Churches Movement, Jacki has volunteered in numerous ecumenical efforts toward a more inclusive church for LGBT people and their allies. She was the national committee chair of the first ecumenical gathering of welcoming churches, WOW 2000, in DeKalb, Illinois in 2000. Jacki has served as the Communications Chair of the Holy Relationships National Steering Committee; as a member of the national training team of the Institute for Welcoming Resources; and as a member of the Out in Scripture editorial advisory board, an on-line lectionary-based resource for clergy and laity created by the Human Rights Campaign Religion and Faith Program.

Jacki's hobbies include reading, cooking and improving her music and art literacy. She’s been a yoga student for nine years.