First United Methodist Church
Larry Patrick, Senior Pastor
Larry was born and reared in Rankin County, Mississippi, near Brandon. He spent his early adult years in business with his father and brothers in the farming industry involving cotton, soybeans and poultry: as well as heavy equipment construction. It was during those years that the "call" from God into the ministry was upon his heart and he left the family business 27 years ago to enter the Christian ministry. Growing up in the Methodist Church, Larry answered the call to be a United Methodist Minister. Choosing to become and Elder in the United Methodist Church and having graduated high school in Puckett, MS, at Puckett High School, he entered Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, for undergraduate studies, and from there graduated with a Major in Religion and a Minor in Psychology and World History. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. He has had the joy of serving in ministry in two conferences, Mississippi and North Carolina. He has served on numerous district and conference committees in both conferences.
Larry is married to Betty S. Brown Patrick (43 years) and they have two children, Russ Patrick of Danville, VA and Candice Grantham of Hernando, MS. Larry and Betty have 5 grandchildren.