FIRST CHURCH OF PALM COAST

The Reverend Dr. Melvin Anthony Kennerly is an Experienced Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, and gifted spiritual leader who has faithfully served God’s people through preaching and teaching for 30 years. A Jacksonville native and son of Mrs. Dorothy C. Kennerly and the late Harold O. Kennerly, he holds degrees from St. Petersburg Junior College, Mississippi Valley State University, the University of Central Missouri, Turner Seminary (ITC), United Theological Seminary, and is currently a PhD student in Religion at Hampton University. Called to ministry at age 12, he was ordained an Itinerant Elder in 1989 and has ministered churches across the 1st, 2nd, and 11th Episcopal Districts of the AME Church, leading multiple mortgage burnings, liquidating a major bus note, and guiding significant property acquisitions. His service includes roles as Resident Hospital Chaplain, Hospice Chaplain, and Supervisor in Training for Clinical Pastoral Education. Dr. Kennerly is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Kappa Kappa Psi, as well as a member of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, a 32nd Degree Mason, and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. A published author and licensed funeral director and embalmer in Florida and Mississippi. He joins First Church after completing his fourth year as Pastor of Mt. Moriah AME Church in Cocoa, Florida.