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Our Pastor

Pastor Eric M. Gurley

**THE MAN**

Dr. E. M. Gurley is a native of Cairo, GA.  He has been married to First Lady Gurley for over 25 years and they have two children; a daughter and a son.  Pastor Gurley is affiliated with several social and community organizations such as Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons, Valdosta Lodge #19 and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

**THE MATRICULATION**

Dr. E.M. Gurley received his Bachelor of General Studies with a concentration in business education from Valdosta State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Carver Bible College with his second Bachelor degree in Biblical Studies.  He also received his Master of Arts degree in Christian Leadership from Luther Rice Seminary and University in Lithonia, GA; and earned his Doctor of Ministry from Newburgh Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana.

**THE MINISTRY**

Dr. E.M. Gurley was licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in April 1997 at the Woods Memorial Baptist Church in College Park, GA.  On December 31, 1998, he was ordained with the approval of the Ordination Council at Woods Memorial Baptist Church, College Park, GA under the leadership of Pastor Toney Mosley.

In 1999, Pastor Gurley and his family moved to Columbia, SC where he joined the Oak Grove Baptist Church and served as Assistant Pastor under the leadership of Rev. Willie J. Goodwin, Jr.  He became very active in the South Carolina Congress of Christian Education and the Gethsemane Baptist Association.  While in South Carolina, he served as Interim Pastor of the Mount Zion Baptist Church, Columbia, SC and Jerusalem Baptist Church, Hopkins, SC.  Rev. Gurley and his family relocated back to Atlanta, GA in July 2002 and later served as Youth Pastor of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, College Park, GA for five years under the leadership of Pastor Robert W. Crummie, Sr.  Dr. E. M. Gurley accepted the interim pastoralship of Flint Ridge Baptist Church in February 2012 and on July 28, 2012 the church body unanimously elected him as Pastor.

Pastor Gurley currently serves as the Vice Moderator of the Metropolitan Baptist Association within the National Baptist Convention, USA.  

**THE MOTIVATION**

Dr. E. M. Gurley’s most inspiring scripture is II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. 
Motivational Moments

It’s Time to Change your MIND - Philippians 2:1-5

 

In order for a positive change to occur in our life------we must change the way we think.


Apostle Paul gives us three suggestions for a mind changing experience:


MAKE SURE WE DO THINGS FOR THE RIGHT REASON (vs. 3A). The problems that plagued the 1st Century Church at Philippi are the same problems that plagues the 21st century church today ---Rivalry, Competition and Recognition. We should stop being envious of one another. 

FOCUS ON OTHERS --BEFORE WE FOCUS ON OURSELVES (vs. 3B-4).  Paul tells us we are to ESTEEM others better than ourselves. Romans 15:1 “The strong shall bear the infirmities of the weak and not seek to please themselves.”

START THINKING LIKE CHRIST (vs. 5) If we think Like Christ -then we would start ACTING like Christ

  • LOVING - Like Christ (love thy neighbor as thyself)
  • FORGIVING - Like Christ (Father forgive them for they know not what they do)
  • PRAYING - Like Christ (Pray for them that despitefully use you)
  • CARING - Like Christ (Bear one another’s burdens)