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Community Corner

Vibrant Canton Ministry Gets a New Shepherd

Pastor Jim McRae, the new leader of Canton First United Methodist Church, once chased money. Now, he chases after God.

Jim McRae has been the senior pastor at for just a couple weeks now, but there are a few things he knows for certain.

He feels like he’s home in Canton.

"It’s a friendly place," said the pastor, who moved here with wife Lisa from Stockbridge, where he served Stockbridge First UMC. "We’ve not met one person who hasn’t welcomed us,"

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He also knows that his new congregation is a vibrant one.

"Canton is a growing, dynamic church that’s filled with youth, kids, families - people of all ages," McRae said. "I’m excited about what God is going to do."

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It’s a good match for a pastor who describes himself as “passionate about getting people excited about Jesus Christ. Christ called us to an abundant life. Life should be lived to its fullest. I like getting people pumped up about that.”

McRae’s interests range from rebuilding old cars and trucks (“I’m a closet hot rodder”) to creating silver jewelry and learning to play the guitar.

The Atlanta native earned an English degree from the University of Georgia, and owned a contracting company before enrolling in Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

“I knew at a very early age I was gonna be a pastor, but chased the money thing first,” he said. “I knew that wasn’t what I was created to do, so I started Candler at age 30. Now I’m where I’m supposed to be.”

MORE ABOUT PASTOR MCRAE

Read devotions and a blog by the pastor at www.jimmcrae.com.

Canton FUMC has services at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. Sundays, with Sunday school at 9:45. The church’s address is 930 Lower Scott Mill Road. For more information, call 770-345-0306 or go to www.cantonfirstumc.org.

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