The Reverend Joseph L. Garner

Graduate: Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA
B.S. Degree in Economics

Affiliations and Associations:

President, Vernon Parish King Day Coalition
President, Calcasieu M & E District Congress of Christian Education
Curriculum Director, Louisiana Baptist Youth Encampment
Board Member, LWIA Youth Council
Board Member, Vernon Community Action Committee
Historian, Calcasieu M & E District Association
Secretary, Vernon Ministerial Association
Member, Louisiana Baptist State Convention
Member, National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc.
Member, Leesville/Vernon Chamber of Commerce

On August 9, 1992 Reverend M. W. Harrison, who had been

Pastor of Pleasant Hill for 21 years, officially offered his

resignation as Pastor to the officers and members of the

Church.  Reverend Harrison said, "My health is getting such

that I am unable to take care of the members as I should.

I promised God, my family and myself that I would not

pull down the Church after working so hard to build it up.

I have prayed over it, and the Lord has placed on my heart,

in a vision through the Holy Spirit to have

Reverend Joseph L. Garner succeed me as Pastor."

The motion was offered, seconded and passed unanimously

by the congregation.  The installation service for Pastor

Garner was held on September 3, 1992 with Bishop Paul

S. Morton Sr., Pastor of the Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel

Baptist Church of New Orleans, LA conducting the service.

Pastor Garner has instituted many new ministries during his

tenure as Pastor.  Ministries such as:  Living Hope Substance

Abuse Ministry, The Evangelism Ministry, Pastoral Care

Ministry, Newsletter Ministry "Voices from the Hill", New

Members Ministry, Drama Ministry, After-School Tutorial

Ministry, Senior Citizens Ministry, Intercessory Prayer

Ministry and two new ministries for young people, a liturgical

dance group for young women called the

Eucharistic Ensemble and a Drill Team Ministry for young

men.  Pastor Garner also implemented an Annual Family

Day Weekend and an Annual Youth Week.  Over 2,800

new members have united with the Church during Pastor

Garner's pastorate with 25% of those being candidates for

baptism.  Due to the large influx of members, Pastor Garner

Implemented two New Member Banquets per year

to welcome new members into the Church family.  

We truly love all of our members, new and old.