Rev. Ira J. Acree was born in Osceola, Arkansas on February 13, 1965. After moving to Chicago as a toddler, he was educated at Nash Elementary School and Steinmetz High School. 


Pastor Acree accepted his call to the gospel ministry December 8, 1984, being well gifted and an astute learner, he was soon ordained a minister of the gospel April 28, 1985.


Pastor Acree furthered his education by attending University of Illinois at Chicago. He graduated with a BA degree in Political Science and a minor in Black Studies in June of 1988. 


Pastor Acree served faithfully as an associative minister at Mt. Vernon Baptist church under the tutelage of Pastor J. L. Miller from 1985 to 1989. It was there, where he also met his better half, Lady Margaret L. Acree. They were united in holy matrimony March 19, 1988.


He credits Margaret and his mother Mrs. Alberteen Brown for playing pivotal roles in his success. Nineteen eighty-nine was a significant year for Pastor Acree. On May 14, 1989 he became the pastor of Greater St. John Holiness Church, whose name was later changed to Greater St. John Bible Church. Pastor Acree has led Greater St. John through the good times and bad, from basements to storefronts, to our present edifice. Greater St. John Bible Church now has more than 1,500 active members and (2) convenient Sunday morning worship services (8am & 10am). Pastor Acree recently celebrated “20 Years” serving as pastor & overseer of Greater St. John Bible Church.


Pastor Acree is a true servant of God. He is a former President of the Rainbow Push West, he is a member of the Stand Against Cancer HeaIth Network, and he is a member of the New Baptist Ministers Fellowship of Chicago & Vicinity Westside Baptist Minister Conference. Pastor Acree is also one of the founding members and Executive Board Members of the L.E.A.D.E.R.’s Network (Leaders for Empowerment, Advocacy, and Disaster Relief Network).


For the past 8 years, Pastor Acree has elected to provide college scholarships to deserving college bound students from the Austin community in lieu of his annual Pastoral Anniversary. With such a great passion for education, he has collaborated with many partners, parishioners, & friends over the years to be able to award over $100,000.00 in scholarships.


Pastor and Sister Acree also have two beautiful children Marcus Brandon and Nicole Marie. He and Sister Acree feel that God has divinely placed them at Greater St. John to play a pivotal role in strengthening families, transforming this community and to change the world.