Soraya was born in Towson, Maryland, and spent her formative years growing up in Virginia, Nigeria, and Maryland.  She attended New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Maryland with her family. During her summers in Mobile, Alabama, she attended church with her grandmother. She made the conscious decision to choose Christ as a 3rd grader. Soraya walked down the aisle to be baptized with a heart fully committed to her decision to follow Jesus.

When it was time for college, Soraya attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), a Historically Black University in Tallahassee, Florida.  Go Rattlers!  She met her husband in college and graduated with an MBA concentration in Finance.  After graduation, she accepted a position in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Soraya says that Atlanta is where she began to grow in her faith, independent of her family of origin.  She learned how to “walk what I believed” and developed a stronger commitment to her faith in Christ. A job offer in Illinois brought The Hall’s - Soraya, her husband Harman, and their two young children - McKenzie and Mack, to the Chicago area.  

While trying to find a church home, they visited 8 different churches but didn’t feel any of them were the right fit for their family.  While talking with the First Lady of a former church, Soraya was given a recommendation - Progressive Baptist Church of Chicago with Charlie Dates as the Pastor.  The family decided to visit and Soraya started helping in the Children’s Ministry right away.  By the time the family officially joined the church, everyone thought they were already members!

As transplants to a new city, Soraya states that finding PBC was more than gaining a church home - it was like locating extended family.  The Hall’s were not only welcomed but were taken on a tour of the city by their new church Pastor!  Pastor Dates also introduced The Hall’s to Deacon Leroy Brown who assisted Soraya’s husband with locating a job in his field.

Soraya is dedicated and passionate about the Mission and impact PBC is making on the community.  She loves the initiatives that make it easy for the Progressive body of believers to serve and give - living out their commitment and dedication to the teachings of Christ.

We are so happy to have Soraya and her family fellowshiping and serving at PBC.  Soraya always wears a big beautiful smile so when you see her on Sunday, make sure to smile back and say Hello.  Oh, and don’t forget to check out her hair and outfits - she loves to change it up and always looks amazing.