The Reverend Larry McDonald, Sr. is a native of Fayetteville, NC, and was assigned to St. Paul AME Church in June 2023. Pastor McDonald has been married to his loving wife, Sheila Vanhook McDonald for years, and are proud parents of two children: Larry McDonald Jr. (Tasmin & Taylen) and Olivia Simone McDonald. He is a Fayetteville State University and Bowling Green State University graduate and a member of the FSU Athletic Hall of Fame. Pastor McDonald is also an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Professionally he is a retired educator and coach where he has held several roles such as Assistant and Head Coach (Track & Field/Football) and Assistant Professor on a collegiate level, as well as Principal and Head Coach (Track & Field/Football) of a few high schools. He retired as Director of Athletics for Durham Public Schools.
Pastor McDonald is a humble servant who loves God, and God’s people, and lives by God’s mighty word. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as an adolescent and truly desires to do God’s will. He accepted the mandate of God’s calling and has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over years. He is a powerful preacher, teacher, and inspiration to all who encounter him.
He serves on numerous Western North Carolina Conference-level committees:
Pastor McDonald has preached to many congregations and is delighted to have had the experience of preaching a revival in Cantina, Italy (February 2005) and being selected to preach the annual sermon at the opening of the 113th session of the Western Carolina Conference (2006).
As the pastor of this church, he is committed to fostering spiritual growth, cultivating a loving and supportive community, promoting social justice, and bringing a message of God’s love and hope to his congregation and the community. He looks to foster an environment that coincides with the teachings of God’s word while uniting church and community in purposeful work towards a brighter future.
His desire of the church is to revitalize and restore St. Paul AME Church ensuring that it becomes a beacon of hope, love, and support for all. If you are a member of the community or someone seeking a place of belonging. St. Paul AME welcomes you. Join us as we strive to ‘recoup the lost and make St. Paul AME Church a place to belong!
Professionally he is a retired educator and coach where he has held several roles such as Assistant and Head Coach (Track & Field/Football) and Assistant Professor on a collegiate level, as well as Principal and Head Coach (Track & Field/Football) of a few high schools. He retired as Director of Athletics for Durham Public Schools.
Pastor McDonald is a humble servant who loves God, and God’s people, and lives by God’s mighty word. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior as an adolescent and truly desires to do God’s will. He accepted the mandate of God’s calling and has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over years. He is a powerful preacher, teacher, and inspiration to all who encounter him.
He serves on numerous Western North Carolina Conference-level committees:
- Board of Examiners
- Chair of Abandon Properties Committee (Chief Marshall of Protocol)
- Cabinet Member of the Western District’s Presiding Elder
Pastor McDonald has preached to many congregations and is delighted to have had the experience of preaching a revival in Cantina, Italy (February 2005) and being selected to preach the annual sermon at the opening of the 113th session of the Western Carolina Conference (2006).
As the pastor of this church, he is committed to fostering spiritual growth, cultivating a loving and supportive community, promoting social justice, and bringing a message of God’s love and hope to his congregation and the community. He looks to foster an environment that coincides with the teachings of God’s word while uniting church and community in purposeful work towards a brighter future.
His desire of the church is to revitalize and restore St. Paul AME Church ensuring that it becomes a beacon of hope, love, and support for all. If you are a member of the community or someone seeking a place of belonging. St. Paul AME welcomes you. Join us as we strive to ‘recoup the lost and make St. Paul AME Church a place to belong!