Education:
Leesville High School, Class of 1983
B.S. Degree in Economics
Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA
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 Council
Secretary, Vernon Ministerial Association
Member, Louisiana Baptist State Convention
Member, National Baptist Convention U.S.A., Inc
Instructor, National Baptist Congress of Christian Education
Associate Dean, Louisiana Baptist State Congress of Christian Education
It is with divine love that we welcome you to our web site here on the World Wide Web. As Pastor of one of the fastest growing and most interesting Churches in America, I take pride in sharing the blessings of our Dear Lord with you. The Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is a family of believers nestled serenely in the beautiful Kisatchie National Forest of Vernon Parish, Louisiana. We are the Church where God blesses his people. The Pleasant Hill Baptist Church is comprised of 1,100 members. Approximately 50 to 60 per cent of our membership shares with us from the neighboring Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk. Through our strong commitment to family, youth, education and cultural awareness, we work diligently to be a home away from home to our members and their families who serve our nation proudly. It is no accident that the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church has been a part of this community for over ONE HUNDRED years. We are truly a time-tested, God-ordained and Holy Spirit led ministry. Come and share God’s riches with us. WE WELCOME YOU.
Reverend Joseph L. Garner, Pastor
“Pastor’s Succession”
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.
