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And I will give you shepherds according to
mine heart, who shall feed you with knowledge
and understanding. —Jeremiah 3:15
Pastor Joseph Garner, a Leesville native
and Southern University graduate, was
installed shepherd
of the Pleasant Hill
Baptist Church on
September 3, 1992,
after the Reverend
Monroe W. Harrison,
then the present
pastor, resigned and
recommended that
Reverend Garner
succeed him. In these
twenty-two years of
stewardship, Pastor
Garner has “done
the will of God from
the heart, not with
eye service, as men
pleasers, but as the
servant of Christ” (Eph. 6:6). His humble,
tireless, sincere commitment to his family, his
community, and his church is evidenced in
every facet of his life.
The youngest of eight children, Pastor Garner
is a devoted and loving son to his widowed
mother, Mrs. Lillie Garner, and he unselfishly
assists family members, just as he does church
and community members, in their times of
need or crises.
Civically, Pastor Garner serves as President
of the Vernon Parish King Day Coalition,
Board Member of the Louisiana Workforce
Investment Youth Council, Board Member
of the Vernon Community Action Council,
and Member of the Greater Vernon Parish
Chamber of Commerce. In appreciation of his
services, these and other agencies have honored
him with Achievement Awards, Special
Recognition Awards, and Proclamations.
Pastor Garner’s
religious services
include:
President, Calcasieu
M & E District
Congress of Christian
Education; President,
Vernon Ministerial
Association, Dean of
Ministers, Louisiana
Baptist Congress of
Christian Education;
Curriculum Director,
Louisiana Baptist
Youth Encampment;
and Instructor
National Baptist
Congress of Christian Education. He has
accepted invitations to speak, teach, and preach
across the nation from California to New York,
as well as internationally in South Korea.
NOT ONLY DOES REV. GARNER ACCEPT INVITATIONS,
HE EXTENDS THEM, AS WELL.
Persons Pastor Garner has brought to PHBC
include: The Mississippi Mass Choir, Bishop
Paul S. Morton, Vickie Winans, Joshua
Nelson, Lecresia Campbell, Terron Brooks,
Ruby Terry,The Soul Influence, Stephanie
Dotson, Douglas Miller,
The Canton Spirituals, Royce Mosely,
Grambling State University-Strong
Tower Choir, Southern University-
“And I will give you
shepherds according
to mine heart, who
shall feed you with
knowledge and
understanding.
Jeremiah 3:15