BIO - SHEET OF PASTOR LAWRENCE A. RAGLAND

Pastor Ragland is a 1978 graduate of Milan High School (TN). 

After graduation he enlisted for 3 years in the United States Marine.  He received an Honorable Discharge.

Education:

Associate of Science Degree from Jackson State Community College in Jackson, TN

Certificate of Christian Education from American Baptist College Extension in Jackson, TN.

College Workshop Director

Bachelor of Science Degree from Union University in Jackson, TN

Master of Ministry Degree from Tennessee Temple Baptist Seminary in

Chattanooga, TN

Candidate for Doctor of Ministry Degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camille, GA

Ministry:

He was called into ministry in August of 1982

Licensed the 5^th Sunday in September 1982

Ordained the 2^nd Sunday in July 1984

Served as an Associate Minister at St. Mark Baptist Church in Gibson, TN, Magnolia First Baptist Church in Memphis, TN, and New St. Luke Baptist Church in Jackson, TN

Pastor of New Reedy Creek Baptist Church in McLemoresville, TN for 10 ½ years

He founded the Baptist Student Union Ministry at Lane College in Jackson, TN and the Tennessee Baptist Missionary & Educational Convention built a $207,000 center in 2000 to house the ministry

Many students have become a part of the ministry.

Currently:

Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Paris, TN since February 2004

The church has experienced growth and increased in membership participation.  The Lord bless Progressive with nearly 5000 square foot Education Center completed and dedicated on March 12, 2006. 

 The estimated cost was around $300,000. 

The center  house 7 class rooms, office space, library, and computer room, nursery and a fellowship hall for 210 people.

• The church website is www.forministry.com/USTNABCUSPBCPB

Director, of the College Workshop for the National Baptist Congress USA.  He leads over 300 college students at the annual meeting in June and travels the country throughout the year leading college workshops, revivals, and seminars and speaking in chapel services.

• November 2006 elected President of the Paris/Henry County Ministers Union.  The union had 8 churches then and now has 16 and more churches are joining monthly.

He has chaired the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration the last three years for Paris and Henry County, Tennessee.  The county had stop sponsoring events but, now he has gotten the biggest turnout in years.  He believes in the dream and shares his vision at Martin Luther King events each year.  He is a part of the Dr. Martin L. King network based in Raleigh, NC.

• In 2005 guest speaker at University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama over 300 attendance.

• In 2006 guest speaker at Carrbus County wide Dr. M.L.King celebration in Concord, NC over 400 attendance.

He has received many honors and awards to name a few:

• Key to the City Gallatin, TN
• Twice named Outstanding Young Men of America
• Twice named Outstanding Young Religious Leaders by Jackson(TN) Jaycees
• Jackson Middle School Africa American Achievers Award
• Finalist J.C. Penny Golden Rule
• Featured in Ebony Magazine
• Citizen of the Year Obion River Baptist District Association
• African American Acheivers Award

He has a beloved goddaughter, named Lauren. Who brings much joy to his life. He is a christian gentlemen and a community activist.

Membership & Involvements:

Paris Henry County NAACP (Chairman Education Committee), Committee Board Member National Baptist Congress, Dr. Martin L.Kings National Network, Tennessee Coordinator National Baptist Student Union Retreat, West Tennessee Coordinator Black Church Day on the Hill, Ebony Magazine Distributor of the African American College Guide Books over 33,000 since 2003, Americorp Alumuni.

Ministers Union:

President; Paris (Henry County) Minister Union, Paris(Henry County) Ministers Alliance, Jackson Madison County Baptist Minister Alliance, JAMA (Jackson Area Ministers Alliance), West Tennessee Pastors Conference, Memphis Baptist Association.

"MOTTO"

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything,

They just make the best of everything"