Born in LaGrange

and raised in the Savannah area, Pilgrim, himself, is the son of a Methodist

minister. He met his wife, Shirley, through her family's membership in

the Savannah church pastored by his father. They were married in 1964

and, shortly after, in 1966, Pilgrim was called to the ministry and served

his first assignment as student pastor of the Mountville circuit in LaGrange.

He simultaneously

worked on his bachelor's degree from LaGrange College and went on to receive

his master of divinity from Candler Theological Seminary at Emory University.

The Pilgrims

have three grown children two daughters and one son, with accompanying

spouses, and six grandchildren. One daughter is expecting the seventh

grandchild next month.

Pilgrim enjoys

fishing, playing golf, watching NASCAR (Bill Elliott is his favorite driver),

as well as rooting for the Braves and the New York Yankees. He collects

manger scenes and Bibles.

His wife's

interests include her China doll collection and shopping. They both say

they love to travel.

Pilgrim has

served nine more churches since his beginning at Mountville churches in

the LaGrange, Augusta, Gainesville, Dalton, Atlanta-Marietta and Atlanta-College

Park districts.

Pilgrim says

he is glad to return to the LaGrange district as he begins his new assignment

at Fayetteville First.

"Shirley

and I are happy to be in Fayetteville and we thank the congregation for

its gracious reception," Pilgrim says. "We look forward to getting

to know the people and working with them in the months ahead. Fayetteville

First has a great reputation, a rich heritage, and a promising future.

We already have a well-rounded program with many fine ministries. I'm

sure there are also opportunities for us to continue to develop our ministry

here in our community and also to the far corners of the earth."

The church,

located at 175 E. Lanier Ave. in Fayetteville, has Sunday worship services

at 8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m. For more information, call the church office,

770-461-4313.

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