Rev. Gerald Varner is the senior pastor at Tucker First UMC. He grew up on a small family farm in Northeast Georgia, did his undergraduate work at the University of Georgia, and graduated from seminary at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He also completed the Beeson Institute for Advanced Church Leaders, a three year program through Asbury Seminary.
Rev. Varner pastored seven churches in the North Georgia Conference before being assigned to Tucker First. He has also served as a missionary in Honduras. Prior to moving to Tucker, Pastor Gerald was the senior pastor at Bremen First UMC for five years, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor at Emory University, Candler School of Theology in the Contextural Education, Teaching Parish program.
Pastor Gerald is an avid woodworker, enjoys active hobbies including scuba diving, snow skiing, white water rafting, and trout fishing. His vacation time often includes a trip to Honduras to visit his "adopted" daughter and grandson.
Pastor Gerald's philosophy of ministry is based on Ezekiel 11:19, where God says, "I will give them one heart." That verse is the foundation of a strategic plan for churches and individuals to enjoy a healthy relationship with God, instead of living with fragmented and divided loyalties. The word "heart" is written as an acronym with each letter representing a core value which is essential for living in a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ. The five core values of "One H.E.A.R.T." are:
Rev. Varner pastored seven churches in the North Georgia Conference before being assigned to Tucker First. He has also served as a missionary in Honduras. Prior to moving to Tucker, Pastor Gerald was the senior pastor at Bremen First UMC for five years, where he also served as an Adjunct Professor at Emory University, Candler School of Theology in the Contextural Education, Teaching Parish program.
Pastor Gerald is an avid woodworker, enjoys active hobbies including scuba diving, snow skiing, white water rafting, and trout fishing. His vacation time often includes a trip to Honduras to visit his "adopted" daughter and grandson.
Pastor Gerald's philosophy of ministry is based on Ezekiel 11:19, where God says, "I will give them one heart." That verse is the foundation of a strategic plan for churches and individuals to enjoy a healthy relationship with God, instead of living with fragmented and divided loyalties. The word "heart" is written as an acronym with each letter representing a core value which is essential for living in a healthy relationship with Jesus Christ. The five core values of "One H.E.A.R.T." are:
H - Honor God (Worship)
E - Endorse Jesus (Witness)
A - Accept People (Fellowship)
R - Reflect Christ (Discipleship)
T - Transmit Love (Mission)
Pastor Gerald is passionate about encouraging churches and individuals to embrace those five core values so that they might live with one, pure, undivided H.E.A.R.T.
gerald.varner@ngumc.net
E - Endorse Jesus (Witness)
A - Accept People (Fellowship)
R - Reflect Christ (Discipleship)
T - Transmit Love (Mission)
Pastor Gerald is passionate about encouraging churches and individuals to embrace those five core values so that they might live with one, pure, undivided H.E.A.R.T.
gerald.varner@ngumc.net