Elder Jerry D. Woodfork

Reverend Jerry D. Woodfork was born February 1, 1949 to Climmie Woodfork, Sr. and Bertha Harper Woodfork in Bienville Parish Louisiana. He is the seventh child of ten.

 

At an early age, he started his pilgrimage journey in the Christian faith at the Saint Duty Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Arcadia, Louisiana. He migrated to Phoenix, Arizona where he accepted the call into the ministry in 1967 at Phoenix Memorial CME Church, Phoenix, Arizona, under the pastorate of Reverend James A. Covington. He received his Master Barber License in 1968 from the Arizona Barber College, Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Jerry D. Woodfork is a graduate of Lane College, Jackson, Tennessee with a B.A. degree in education and a minor in religion. He holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center (Phillips School of Theology) 1974, a Master Degree in Educational Leadership from Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia, an Education Specialist Degree from Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia (1979). Presiding Elder Woodfork received an Honorary Degree from the Phillips School of Theology of the Interdenominational Theological Center on May 10, 2014.

 

Reverend Woodfork is the recipient of the Homiletics Award from the Interdenominational Center; the Teacher of the Year Award; Apple Core and Southern Bell Grants through the Atlanta Public Schools and the Sixth Episcopal District Quadrennial Instant Award by Bishop Othal H. Lakey (1998-2002).

 

He is also the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus award.

 

Reverend Woodfork is married to the former Dr. Thelma Simmons Woodfork (Cedar Grove Tennessee). They have two children: Erica Woodfork Donerlson, a gifted teacher in the Atlanta Public Schools, and Jerry Woodfork, Jr., a 5th grade teacher in Atlanta Public Schools.

 

His professional career includes; Elementary School Teacher, Adult Literary Teacher as well as a School Guidance Counselor and Public School Administrator. He also serves as the Phillip’s School of Theology Master Barber, a Licensed Realtor and an Investor in the Real Estate Market.

 

Reverend Woodfork pastored Allen Temple CME Church in Paris, Tennessee (1969-1970). He also pastored Trinity CME Church, Griffin, Georgia (briefly), and Linden-Shorts CME Church, Atlanta, Georgia (1971-1993). Presently, he serves as the Presiding Elder of the Atlanta-Rome District.

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Reverend Woodfork holds membership in the Atlanta School Counselor Association, the National Association of School Curriculum Development, Georgia Association of Educators, the YMCA, the Masonic Lodge, the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta and the Georgia Notary Public Service. He is Chairman of the Sixth Episcopal District Board of Trustees, a member of the Phillips School of Theology Board of Trustee, and a member of the General Connectional Board of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church from the Sixth Episcopal District.