The name Charley Reeb sounds familiar to many. Those who listen to Day 1 Weekly Broadcast or flip through publications like Feasting on the Word, Ministry Matters, and Circuit Rider: Preaching Magazine have likely taken in the guidance and life stories of the pastor with over 20 years of experience.
Aspiring and current pastors who have read his books probably know about his unique sermon preparation strategy that often incorporates listening to 80’s hard rock. He has authored four books, including the recently published That’ll Preach! 5 Simple Steps to Your Best Sermon Ever (Abingdon Press).
In between delivering Sunday messages to one of the largest United Methodist Churches in the Florida Conference, Pasadena Community Church, for the last 10 years, and writing for multiple Christian platforms, Reeb has traveled around the country leading preaching seminars and speaking at various conferences and events. His name has been listed with other well-known speakers such as Adam Hamilton, Candace Lewis, and others.
Why is Georgia receiving such a knowledgeable pastor? Rev. Dr. Charley Reeb has been called to come home.
“I was born in Columbia, South Carolina but was raised in Georgia, primarily in Dunwoody. Our family then moved to Tampa in the late 80’s when I was a teenager,” Reeb says.
It was in Florida, at age 16, that he first felt a call into ministry. He attended Florida Southern College before attending the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and obtaining his doctor of ministry degree from Columbia Theological Seminary in 2010.
Reeb last served in Georgia in 1999 serving on the staff of Northside UMC in Buckhead while attending seminary. While serving Northside, he served as a chaplain and devotional speaker for the Georgia Senate. He was then appointed to the Florida Conference.
Earlier this year, Reeb was surprised and delighted to receive a call from Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the North Georgia Conference (UMC) to serve Johns Creek UMC. Having accepted, He returns Georgia with wife, Brandy and one-year-old son Paul.
“It feels wonderful to be back home with family and friends and to share the joy of our son with loved ones.”
Reeb’s first Sunday is on July 1. The entire congregation at Johns Creek UMC will worship together throughout the month of July in the Sanctuary at 10:30 AM.