Pastor Biography

Many search a lifetime for purpose, while others are fortunate enough to find their way early in life. Terence Renard Gray’s calling in life came to him in a dream in which he found himself walking through a garden in darkness. Although it was dark, he was not afraid, for wherever he walked, he found light. He sensed death and hopelessness in the darkness, but was able to provide life, hope, and light. At age 9, he delivered his first sermon at Allen Chapel AME Church in Calhoun, GA. His purpose was clear.

Born in Atlanta, GA, on July 20, 1965, Terence Renard Gray is the son of the late Reverend Frank M. Gray and Lillie Mae Gray. He was blessed to grow under the wise, watchful eye of his parents, great-grandmother, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Not only was his family supportive of Terence in the physical, but they were also “prayin’ folk” and supportive of him spiritually. The elders provided Terence with the confidence he would need to fulfill the purpose that burned in his spirit. He believes that through the struggles and triumphs of his beloved elders, he was able to reach his potential. At age 12 he was licensed to preach by Presiding Elder W. D. Wiggs, and at age 16, Bishop Fredrick H. Talbot admitted him into the African Methodist Church and ordained him both Itinerant Deacon in 1983 and Itinerant Elder in 1986.

A graduate of Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Terence established himself as a leader early in life. He continued his education at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity in Homiletics in 1989.

Bishop Talbot sent Reverend Terence Renard Gray to the following churches in Georgia: Washington Circuit, Graves Chapel in Social Circle, and Smith Chapel in Atlanta. On June 17th, 1989, Bishop John H Adams sent Reverend Gray to Saint Paul AME Church in Macon, GA, a place he called home for fifteen and a half years. In that time, Saint Paul enjoyed constant growth and continued to look forward to the completion of plans for the construction of a new physical plant. Although a new church was necessary, Terence recognized that it is even more important to build the body of Christ and invite people into Christian discipleship. This commitment was apparent in the ministries Saint Paul continued to operate and has been strengthened using technology such as electronic media and the Internet. Terence made history at Saint Paul by serving the longest tenure of any pastor. Terence was called by God and appointed by Bishop McKinley to serve as Senior Pastor of Saint Mark AME Church in Orlando, Florida, for 21 years. During his tenure at Saint Mark, he revamped the Educational Enterprises program, increased Worship Service offerings, conducted a prayer call twice a day, provided a daily bible study online, and expanded to one church in two locations.

Following a vision for the future of Reid Temple, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson invited Terence to preach the opening worship service of the Second District Summer Summit. Subsequently, by the grace of God and through the appointment of Bishop Harry L. Seawright, Terence was named Senior Pastor of Reid Temple AME Church on April 17, 2026. His history with the congregation runs deep; dating back to the Good Luck Road era, where Reverend Lee P. Washington, Pastor Emeritus, frequently invited him to the pulpit. Today, as vision, intention, and grace align, Reid Temple and Pastor Gray enter a new season anchored in the promise of I Corinthians 2:9: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard... the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Terence Gray has many dreams and aspirations. He aspires to empower those who are in need, touch the lives of those who are broken, tear down the walls that divide, build a future for his family, and fight poverty and injustice. His awards from the AME Church, the NAACP, the city of Macon, the Conference of National Black Churches, and others indicate that he is affecting positive change. The dream of walking through the darkness that he had as a child has shaped his life and enables him to provide to those who come into his presence with the greatest gift of all – the ability to know God.

Terence Gray is married to the beautiful Imarii Shayell Adams-Gray. He finds his greatest earthly joy in his children, Jocelyn Bianca, Terence Renard II, and Tramaine Raphael, and his three grandsons, Torey, Darold, and Jameson. He considers it a divine privilege to watch his family grow and develop into the individuals God has called them to be.