Rockwall’s First Presbyterian Church has found a new pastor.
Pastor Cheryl Taylor, a former chaplain for two years at Harris Methodist HEB Hospital in Bedford
, who just received her degree in May from Brite Divinity School of TCU in Fort Worth, will conduct her first service Aug. 2 at 11 am.
First Presbyterian Church is located at 602 White Hills Drive, off Ridge Road, next to Wal-Mart.
She replaces Pastor Robert Reeves, who retired last year after 33 years in the pulpit. He’s now the chaplain at Presbyterian Hospital of Rockwall. He’s also the co-founder of Rockwall County Helping Hands.
Pastor Taylor already has plenty of experience. Prior to entering seminary, she served as Director of Christian Education for Bentwood Trail Presbyterian Church in Dallas for three years and for Trinity Presbyterian Church in Flower Mound for six years. She worked as a Christian Education Consultant for Grace Presbytery for seven years. First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth hosted her while she was a Pastoral Intern from 2008-2009.
Several nice things have been said about her.
“Cheryl is genuine and authentic,” said Reverend Frank Ehman of Trinity Presbyterian Church. She communicates her faith by how she lives. Her faith is who she is. When you’re with Cheryl, you feel you’re in the presence of a faithful and devoted servant of the church.”
“Cheryl has genuine warmth, wisdom to match her intelligence, and is just plain fun to be around,” said Reverend Joseph J. Clifford, pastor of First Presbyterian Church Dallas.
While at Brite she received several honors, including: Dean’s List, Walker Ministerial Foundation Scholar, the Dr. Roy F. Melugin Award for demonstrating love of neighbor, the Baxter F. and W. Dell Thomas Excellence Award for Christian Ministry, and Awards in New Testament (2008), Preaching (2007), and Hebrew Bible (2006).
“She is a people person, always smiling and in touch with God,” said Brite Divinity School Professor Dr. Joseph Jeter about Pastor Taylor. ”She takes her sermon preparation very seriously. She is a gifted preacher who has won preaching awards, including the Walker Scholarship which is given to a student with real promise as a pulpit minister.”
Pastor Taylor also holds a journalism degree from the University of North Texas, where she graduated Magna cum Laude.
She has been married since 1982 to David Moore, a reporter for The Dallas Morning News, who currently covers the Dallas Cowboys and has also covered the NBA.
Their daughter, Kelsey, a recent graduate of Coppell High School, will attend Schreiner University in Kerrville this Fall, where she will be studying psychology and education on a Presidential Scholarship.
Rockwall Rocks! 