Joe W. May
started his journey in the
Christian ministry at an early
age in a small town in
Mississippi when he received his
license to preach at the age of
16. He assisted his pastor and
occasionally preached in nearby
local churches. To further his
educational training, he
attended Rust College in Holly
Springs, Mississippi where he
served as a student pastor.
Upon
graduation from Rust College,
Joe was employed by his Alma
Mater in the Admissions Office.
Never losing sight of preparing
himself for ministry, Joe
entered Candler School of
Theology, Emory University,
Atlanta, Georgia. While
attending Candler, Joe served as
a student pastor in Newman,
Georgia. Upon completing his
theological education in 1978,
Joe returned to Mississippi.
He was ordained a deacon in 1976
and an elder in 1979. Joe has
also been awarded the Doctor of
Divinity degree from Rust
College in 1995.
Joe's
pastoral appointments in
Mississippi are many. In June
2002 he was appointed Senior
Pastor of Anderson United
Methodist Church.
Joe is a
devoted husband and father. On
August 9, 1975 he was married to
the former Suzette Donner of
Dundee, MS. He is the proud
father of three children--April
Jozette, Amber Jonetta, and
James Vincent.
As a leader,
Joe does not call attention to
himself, but becomes for others
a sign of God's grace. In every
ministry setting he creates an
open, hospitable space in which
others experience God's healing
presence and know their own
gifts to be affirmed. Joe
combines the heart of a pastor
with the administrative skills
necessary to lead our church
into the 21st century.
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