Presiding Elder Gary McCants has spent his life in two seemingly different and yet compatible worlds. From 1975 to 2012 he worked in the Illinois legislature, first for the House Democrats, and from 1988 as a lobbyist for the Illinois Banker's Association. But in 1979 he began a spiritual journey that eventually led to him becoming an African Methodist Episcopal minister, accepting his own church in Kewanee, Illinois in 1985, even while continuing to work in the legislature. In 2007 McCants became a presiding elder in the AME Church. He found that his ministry in the legislature (informal though it was) was just as important as the several congregations he had ministered to since first answering the call in the late 1970s. One of those he ministered to was then Senator Barack Obama.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Memories of serving Communion for the first time
Abstract
Interview Session 1 - Audio
Early life, education and beginning of career with the IL House Democrats
Interview Session 2 - Audio
Years as an IL House legislative staffer through 1990 and ERA fight
Interview Session 3 - Audio
Gary’s spiritual journey and beliefs of African Methodist Episcopal Church
Interview Session 4 - Audio
Ministry as an AME pastor in Kewanee and Presiding Elder in AME Church
Interview Session 5 - Audio
Lobbyist for IL Bankers Assn during housing crisis and memories of Obama
Interview Session 6 - Audio
Reflections of a lobbyist on legislative leaders and closing comments
Photos
Caption
Gary and Galda McCants were married on February 22, 1975. They held their wedding reception in the ballroom at the top of the Conrad Hilton Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.
Where:
Chicago, Illinois
When:
February 22, 1975
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
All the Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church laid hands upon Unites States Senator Barack Obama and prayed for him following his address at a session of the AME Church General.
Where:
St. Louis, Missouri
When:
July 2008
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May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
This compilation of photos was used during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. The photos in the compilation were taken by Lee Milner, photographer for the Illinois House.
Where:
Illinois
When:
Circa 2008
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.
Caption
President Obama was the keynote speaker at the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial dinner at Springfield’s Crown Plaza on February 12, 2009. Elder McCants reminded President Obama that he still prayed for him following their days in the Illinois legislature.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
February 12, 2009.
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Caption
Presiding Elder Gary McCants was photographed during AME Church General Conference held in, Nashville, Tennessee at the Grand Old Opry. Elder McCants served as a ministerial delegate to the conference.
Where:
Nashville, Tennessee
When:
Circa 2012
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Caption
Speaker of the House Mike Madigan met with Gary McCants during one of Gary’s visits to the Speaker’s office, and later was happy to sign it as well.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Circa 2012
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Presiding Elder McCants enjoyed ministering to members of a small congregation in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India while on a solo mission trip in May 2015. The small congregation was affiliated with the AME Church.
Where:
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
When:
May 2015
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Presiding Elder Gary and wife, Rev. Galda McCants attended the Metro Area Professional Organization’s Annual Honors Banquet, held at Southern Illinois University. Elder Gary McCants served on the Advisory Board.
Where:
Edwardsville, Illinois
When:
2017
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain.
Caption
Pictured is the delegation of AME church members, pastors and Presiding Elders along with Bishop White following a private meeting with Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs in his office.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 18, 2018
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Presiding Elder Gary McCants, far left, and Bishop John Franklin White with other presiding elders and pastors of the AME Church with members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus. Bishop White gave the invocation in the Senate on April 18, 2018.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
April 18, 2018
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Several members of the AME Church delegation met with Illinois House of Representatives Minority Leader Jim Durkin in his office on the group’s Lobby Day. Presiding Elder McCants stands with his hands on a chair.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 27, 2019
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Members of the AME Church delegation met with Illinois Senate President John Cullerton in his office during their Lobby Day. Presiding Elder McCants is in the center wearing a lighter blue suit.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
March 27, 2019
Ownership:
This image is considered to be in the public domain
Caption
Reverends Gary and Galda McCants were pastors of St. Paul AME Church in Springfield, IL. They were wearing white Communion Sunday Robes in front the altar rail at St. Paul AME Church, where both served as pastor at different times.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Presiding Elder Gary McCants wore his white Presiding Elder communion robe while standing in front of the altar rail in the sanctuary of St. Paul AME Church, Springfield, Illinois several years after serving as pastor of the church.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
The McCants family, Reverends Gary and Galda McCants with their teenage children in their Springfield home. Khalilah is in front next to Galda, and in the back are Marissa, Michael and Heather.
Where:
Springfield, Illinois
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.