Billy Beard is new senior pastor at Hopewell UMC in Tyrone

Members of Hopewell United Methodist Church in Tyrone will welcome a new pastor to the pulpit Sunday, June 26. The Rev. Billy Beard formerly served as associate minister at First United Methodist Church in Dalton and will preach his first sermon at Hopewell this Sunday. The Methodist church routinely relocates ministers in an effort to give churches a more well-rounded experience. Hopewell’s current minister, The Rev. Scott Pickering, served the Tyrone church for the past six years and will now be serving County Line United Methodist Church in Acworth.

Beard was born in Jackson, Miss., and received his master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He then spent a year learning from effective churches throughout the world in the Beeson Pastor Program at Asbury. He has served several churches in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Beard says he is passionate about evangelism and discipleship, especially in small group environments.

He and his wife, Jenifer, have been married for 20 years and have three children, Sam, Meredith, and Caroline. They purchased a home in Tyrone and say they look forward to becoming part of the community.

Beard is an avid Mississippi State Bulldog fan, and loves woodworking, golf, tennis, and spending time with his family.

Hopewell is at 351 Jenkins Rd., Tyrone, directly across from Sandy Creek High School.