Rev. Elzie D. Odom, Jr., Senior Pastor

Rev. Elzie D. Odom, Jr., a native Texas, born in Orange, Texas.  He is married the Rev. Dr. Janet Bell Odom.  They have been married forty-three years and currently reside in Dallas, TX.  The Reverends Odom have three adult children; Asheley, Victoria and Elzie, III; and three grandsons; Devin, Carter and Roman.

Rev. Odom received his undergraduate education at the University of Santa Clara in Santa Clara, California where he earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy.  He earned the Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, in Fort Worth, Texas where he demonstrated outstanding Biblical and Theological scholarship by  being named to the Dean's List and by being selected as a Benjamin Mays Scholar for three consecutive years.  Rev Odom is currently pursuing his doctoral studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Austin, Texas.

Rev Odom is an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church and is a member in full connection of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.  Rev. Odom has served as: Associate Pastor at St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas.  Senior Pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas; Interim Pastor of Fellowship United Methodist Church in Trophy Club, Texas; Founding/Organizing Co-Pastor of New Jerusalem United Methodist Church in Lewisville, Texas; Founding Pastor Pleasant Grove Fellowship United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas; Pastor of God's Kingdom/Porter's Chapel United Methodist Churches, Lancaster, Texas; Associate Pastor at Tyler Street United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas; Assistant Pastor at St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX; and Pastor of ST. Peter A.M.E. Church, Ruston, LA.

Rev. Odom is active in several capacities in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He has served the conference as well as in the Connection, in a variety of positions, including the Dallas metro District Committee on Ordained Ministry and the North Texas Conference's Board of Ordained Ministry-Division of Preparation and Qualification.  

Rev. Odom was employed by IBM for 27 years and by Xerox Corporation for 2 years.  Rev Odom served the Greater Dallas Community of Churches as Executive Director for 3 1/2 years.  In addition, he has served as an adjunct faculty member of Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch, Texas where he was professor of World Religions for 10 years.  Rev Odom served as Senior Pastor of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, Farmers Branch, Texas and is currently serves as Senior Pastor at Pleasant Mound United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas.

Rev. Odom has been active in the community through his service on several community boards and committees including:  The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Inc.-Board of Directors; Dallas Independent School District-Superintendent's Advisory Committee; Community Council of Greater Dallas-2.1.1. Advisory Committee; Dallas Center for Performing Arts-President's Advisory Council; Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas-Advisory Council; North Texas Super Bowl LXV Host Committee; Brite divinity School-Board of Trustees.  He current areas of service include:  Children's Medical Center-Chairperson of the Pastoral Care Advisory Committee; Executive Committee of Baylor Hospital's Diabetes Health & Welfare Initiative; African American Pastor's Coalition.  Rev. Odom is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc.