Jeffery Alonzo Stallworth was born on September 7, 1957 in Pensacola, Florida to Fred and Stella Stallworth. Fred is a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Stella is a retired cook. Jeff is the third of seven children.
The eldest of the Stalworth sibling is William, who is a businessperson and a politician in Biloxi. Jeff’s elder sister Stella is retired from the U.S. Army. Marsha is a cosmetologist and a minister. Timothy is a minister in an A.M.E. church. Chandra is an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and the youngest Edwin, is employed with the State Hospital of Mississippi.
Jeff started elementary in the Pensacola school system. His family then moved to Mississippi where he attended 3rd to 5th grade in the Jackson Public School System; 6th through 10th grade were in the Hattiesburg school system; 11th and 12th grade Biloxi school system.
From the age of 12 years old - Jeff always had a job. From washing windows, garbage truck driver for Sheraton Hotels in Biloxi, busing tables and dishwasher at Keesler Air Force Base, to working as a fan man supplying air to welders at Engall’s shipyard.
He entered Jackson State University in 1975. His parents divorced in 1976.
Jeff entered ministry in 1975, and his first sermon was in Bethel A.M.E. church in Brookhaven. Between 1975 and 1977 in order to pay for his education, Jeff was in and out of J.S.U. working small jobs like as an attendant at K-mart automotive department.
In 1977 Jeff served as a Supply Pastor for Harris Tabernacle AME Church in Jackson.
From 1978 until 1983, Jeff was Senior Pastor at Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Meridian.
Jeff entered seminary in 1981 as an African Methodist Episcopalian minister and in 1983 became a United Methodist minister. Pastor Stallworth graduated seminary in 1984. While he was attending seminary, he drove from Atlanta to Meridian every week.
1983-1985: Jeff served as a Senior Pastor of Haven Chapel United Methodist Church in Meridian, MS. He served as a minister to the community through the word of God, performing religious wedding ceremonies, coordinating all ministries, and insuring that proper policies and procedures were intact.
Jeff married Valerie Gail Evans in 1984; separated in 1995; divorced in 1997. Today, Jeff and Gail are in the same church and continue to be best friends.
1985 – 2002: Under his dynamic and able leadership of 17 years as Senior Pastor of Anderson in Jackson, Mississippi, AUMC became one of the largest and fastest growing United Methodist Churches in the country. Membership has increased from 79 in 1985 to over 3300 in 1999. Jeff formed more than 30 ministries, and the church has relocated twice. Anderson was originally located on Paige Street, and then moved to Northside Drive in 1988, and in 1994, moved to its present location on Hanging Moss at I-220.
JEFFERY A. STALLWORTH
Because of Jeff’s charismatic and contemporary style of preaching, he has attracted numerous political leaders to speak at Anderson. Jeff was the first to assist the infamous Mississippi Mass Choir by providing them a place to rehearse and various Gospel artists under Jeff’s leadership have done recordings at Anderson.
A pioneer in preparing God's church for the challenges of the new millennium, Jeff established live video streaming of services with the creation of a church web site. Designed to meet the needs of the 21st century Christian, the web site provides individuals an opportunity to seek God's good news via their computers. He has also pioneered discussions in a computer lab to help eliminate the digital divide for African-American children.
Pastor Stallworth has proven to be one of the most concerned, philanthropic, and supportive people in this community. Jeff inspires the children in the community to have good grades in school by assisting them through college funds. The Burn Victim Fund is a success due to Pastor Stallworth’s fortitude and effort. He has been consistent in caring for the people who are less fortunate, and have been the force in initiating action for those who need help. Because of his sheer determination in the Blood Drive, Mississippi had the most African-American blood donation in the nation. Jeff was also instrumental in the establishment of Hope Community Credit Union (HCCU). HCCU is the first faith-based credit union in the State of Mississippi.
In 1988, in addition to his duties as Senior Pastor at Anderson - Jeff has utilized his call to the gospel in a variety of ways. He served as chaplain to the Mississippi Army National Guard, 134th Military Hospital Unit. At the same time Jeff was an adjunct professor in Old and New Testament Studies at Hinds Community College in Jackson.
2002 – current: Pastor Jeffery A. Stallworth is the Senior Pastor and Bishop of Word and Worship Church congregation since its inception date of May 12, 2002. Word and Worship is a congregation of over 1,500 members and the fastest growing all-denominational church in the area. Word and Worship is currently located at 461 W. Northside Drive, Jackson MS.
Pastor Stallworth is presently building a $3.5 million facility on I-220 in Jackson, MS and established in April 2005 another facility in Byram, MS.
Jeff is an ecclesiastical entrepreneur, and a Realtor, whose vision is to develop a connectional understanding of church, community, city, country, and commerce. The goal of his calling is to ensure that the church is a community-based institution, which provides service twenty-four hours a day. He is aware about the critical issues and he helps overcome the obstacles and find a resolution to many community problems. His vision is unique and quite vital for the community’s progress and success.
JEFFERY A. STALLWORTH
EDUCATION:
Known for his anointed and progressive ministry and his continued commitment to teach and reach souls across the world, Jeff received his undergraduate degree from Jackson State University in Psychology, his Master's of Divinity from Gammon-Theological Seminary Interdenominational Theological Center, and has done Doctoral Studies at Emory University Candler School of Theology.
PAST ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND
AWARDS INCLUDE:
Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church
Chair Person of Religion and Race
The United Methodist Conference Steering Committee
Board of Directors at Camp Wesley Pines
Board of Directors - Child Care Development (AUMC)
Spiritual Advisor - Mississippi Mass Choir
Executive Board to the Mississippi Mass Children's Choir
National Association of the Advancement of Colored People
BOARD SERVED:
Stewpot Community Kitchen
Operation Shoestring
Directors United Way
American Red Cross
Union Planters Bank - Advisory Board Member
City of Jackson - Board of Economic Development
Hope Community Credit Union - Established and
Board of Directors
Jackson State University - Jackson Heart Study Community Mobilization Steering Committee
WORD AND WORSHIP
461 Northside Drive, Jackson, MS 39206
Phone: 601-713-3597
Fax: 601-713-3596
E-mail:
wordandworship@jam.rr.com
JeffStallworth@aol.com
Website: wordandworshipusa.org
Sunday Services
8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12 noon and 7:00 p.m. (Northside Drive)
9:00 a.m. (Byram)
Bible Study
7:00 p.m. Wednesdays (Northside Drive)
7:00 p.m. Thursdays (Byram)
