*Greg with his grandfather, Johnny McHugh, right after Greg’s high school graduation in 2012.*

*Bishop Scott Jones commissioned Greg as a Provisional Elder in the United Methodist Church at The Woodlands United Methodist Church in The Woodlands, Texas, on August 8, 2020.*

*In 2017 while he was studying abroad in Israel, Greg visited the Herodium, the remains of one of the palaces King Herod built and where he is believed to be buried.*

Reverend Greg Morgan is the Associate Pastor at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. He came to Texarkana to serve in his first appointment since receiving his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology in Biblical Studies degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2019. Full of energy, Greg is eager to share his knowledge with others and in service to the Lord. He is currently enrolled at Baylor University and anticipates graduating in 2023 with his Doctor of Ministry in Preaching and Biblical Exegesis. He is also an alumnus of Lamar University where he received his B.A. in History in 2015. The first in his family to attain any higher education, Greg contributes his educational success to determination and faith after a tumultuous upbringing. This journey has specifically helped form who he is and defines his path in helping others.

Born in 1994 to young parents, Greg grew up outside of Beaumont, Texas. His parents divorced when he was only 10 months old, and he was in his father’s sole custody. He only saw his mother very sporadically, and with the exception of some aunts and grandparents, there was little to no familial support. Greg’s childhood was a struggle, living often in deplorable conditions in a variety of trailer parks with his father. He recalls utilities being sporadically disconnected, being on his own for meals, and having to live in a filthy home. His father was an alcoholic and drug addict, relying on welfare for needed funds when he hopped from job to job and most of the income was spent on cigarettes and alcohol.

Around the age of 7, Greg recalls the start of physical abuse from his father. He remembers coming home from school and going straight to his room, absorbing himself in books until he felt it was safe to come out to see his father passed out and wondering if there was any dinner to be found. Greg’s paternal grandmother and her husband, Exie and Johnny McHugh (whom he affectionately called “Granny and Pop”), intervened along with Child Protective Services after some serious altercations with his father. Although his dad kept custody of Greg, he was in his grandparent’s care every other weekend. It was during these weekends with his Granny that Greg experienced church and Christian worship. She took him with her to the Jehovah’s Witness church, where he was able to learn about the Bible and teachings of Jesus Christ. However, he had to worship in secret, as his dad made it very clear that he was forbidden to have a Bible or go to church when he was at home with him.

In the meantime, more physical and emotional abuse continued, and Greg’s only salvation was his Granny and Pop, who got him a cell phone to use, and they were his transportation besides the bus to any school or extracurricular activities. Even though he remained in his dad’s custody, Granny and Pop were the only true mother and father figures he had. In middle school, Greg was involved in the band, baseball, and was a straight A student. In high school, he also joined theatre and stayed busy with performances and schoolwork. “School was a refuge,” Greg recalls adding that during this time he had a negative perception of people. He had few friends and was considered to be a loner, still escaping to his bedroom when he was home trying to stay away from his volatile father. Greg’s Granny passed away from breast cancer in 2008 during his freshman year. Devastated, Greg sought solace from Pop but still lived at home, and at this point, he wasn’t able to attend any church worship since although a Christian, Pop didn’t attend church regularly.

Near the end of Greg’s junior year in high school, he was making plans texting a date for the prom. His father attacked him in a drunken rage, and Greg fought back, calling his Pop in despair. The sheriff was called, and when they tried to apprehend Greg’s father, it was clear that he was in no position to retain custody so Greg moved in with Pop who lived in Vidor, approximately 30 minutes from where he lived and went to school. April 7, 2011, was the last time he saw his father. A restraining order was filed, and Greg began to see a welcome, safe change in his life. Pop was happy to be Greg’s father figure and guardian, taking him to and from his school in Bridge City and to his concerts, events, and other activities. Greg says, “He always cared for me and looked out for me, even though I wasn’t his biological grandson. He was and is the biggest positive influence in my life and the one who I aspired to model my own life after.”

Greg was anxious to find a church home and began looking online at various faith denominations. Greg came upon the First Methodist Church of Vidor and went to visit. At the youth group gathering where he didn’t know anyone, he instantly felt at ease. The first Sunday service he attended was Easter Sunday on April 24, 2011. Noting that he only knew of the secular holiday being that of hunting eggs with candy, Greg was amazed to learn of the true meaning of Easter and Christ’s resurrection. He was particularly moved by the scripture of John 3:16 and had a true eye-opening moment. “This was the father I dreamed of having. I had a true sense of belonging and connection,” he acknowledges, adding that after the hardship of his childhood, he knew that he had always been protected in instances of despair. Finding a church home was just what he needed. Immediately drawn in, Greg was eager to join, and studied under the tutelage of Senior Pastor Greg Rogers for six weeks of study before being baptized on October 1, 2011. Greg knew that there was not just a God “out there,” but one who sent his son to be a savior, literally. “Now that I was introduced to who God really was I wanted to know more and more, and I never left, I was all in,” he remembers. Especially amidst what had transpired in his life, this realization brought comfort for the fear and anxiety Greg had experienced for so long.

*Greg with his godparents, Sally and Tim Andrews, during his seminary graduation ceremony at Asbury Theological Seminary on May 17, 2019.*

This all happened his senior year in high school, and so much had begun to turn around in his life. He recalls checking “all of the boxes” when signing up for events and committees at church, eager to get involved. He felt different already, and even a teacher had noted his change in personality and demeanor to be one of more joy. In January of 2012, Greg recalls preaching his first service. This particular Sunday was the youth service, and his Pop came to see it. Afterward, his Pop began attending regularly with him. Much happier in school and at home, Greg began making plans for after graduation. He intended to become a school administrator, having a strong passion to help kids. Others in his congregation, particularly Rev. Rogers, seemed to have other plans for him, suggesting the ministry. After graduating from Bridge City High School, Greg entered Lamar University and lived at home while commuting to campus where he was first a music then history major. He still pursued a career in teaching and school administration but entertained the idea of perhaps becoming a deacon where he could have a career and still serve part-time. He became more and more involved at First Methodist and witnessing the ministry, by attending retreats and conferences.

On Christmas Eve 2013, Greg was asked to serve in the Communion portion of the service. Overseeing this position as a leader versus a server, 19-year-old Greg felt the call and knew then what he was meant to do. He recalls seeing the faces coming toward him in the Communion line, all of varying emotions and witnessing them all connected together by Christ. “I looked over at my senior pastor and thought to myself, ‘I can’t believe you get to do this every single day, to have this feeling and to serve these people.’” The next day, he began investigating seminaries to attend.

Greg chose Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and began after completing his bachelor’s degree in only three years. He got involved immediately and felt at home during his four years of study. He became a youth director at a church where the number had dwindled down to just two 8th graders. Three years later, the ministry had grown to 15 youth attending regularly. His beloved Pop passed away suddenly of a heart attack in January of 2015 and was unable to see him graduate from college.

Greg stayed in touch with friends back home in Vidor, particularly Sally and Tim Andrews, whom he affectionately calls his godparents. He first met them when he joined the church as Sally was the pianist. He went to live with them both before and after he finished seminary. They treat him as their own, taking the helm of serving as parental figures in his life. Greg compares his journey to the book of Exodus. Like God delivered the faithful out of the desert, he felt delivered into a whole new identity thanks to the church and those along the way who believed in him. Much like those written about in Exodus, Greg wants others to see the flawed, often dirty walk those make to acceptance and reconciliation. When asked what important message he can share with others, Greg responds, “Never lose sight of what God can do. Every blessing in my life, and everything I’ve been able to do is nothing short of the grace of God who has guided me as the Good Father and Good Shepherd.”

Greg loves living in Texarkana, saying it’s the largest city he’s ever lived in. He relishes meeting new people and learning more about the community. In his spare time, Greg enjoys playing golf, traveling, and watching movies. He is content with where God has him right now and eager to serve wherever he is needed. “My prayer every day is that God leads me to a place where my gifts can have the greatest possible impact,” he concludes. What a wonderful gift that is for both Greg and for the community and people he serves.

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The Gift of Helping Others