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Rev. Shawn D. Drains

Senior Pastor – M.Div.

Reverend Shawn Drains is a native of Atlanta, GA, and he is currently the pastor of the St. Paul A.M.E Church in Atlanta, GA. Reverend Drains grew up in the Dekalb County area, where he attended Greater St. Paul C.O.G.I.C for over ten years. It was hard for Reverend Drains to leave the church where he received his salvation, but he knew that God had another destiny for his life.
 

After praying and fasting for months, the Lord called Reverend Drains to St. Paul A.M.E in Atlanta, GA. After running for over seven years from his calling to ministry, Reverend Drains accepted his call to preach the gospel in January 2005 under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Bess, Sr. Reverend Drains is a graduate of Herzing University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting. Through the
encouragement of spiritual parents, Dr. Thomas L. and Dr. Gretchen Bess, Reverend Drains earned his Master of Divinity from Turner
Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, on May 12, 2012.

Reverend Drains has been allowed to pastor several churches during his 13-year tenure as a pastor. In May 2008, Reverend Drains received his first pastoral appointment from Bishop William P. DeVeaux to Gray’s Chapel A.M.E in Yatesville, GA. On January 12, 2013, under the leadership of Bishop Preston W. Williams II, Reverend Drains received his 3 rd pastoral appointment to the Mount Zion Network in Forsyth, GA, which is also a collaboration of two
churches: Williams Chapel A.M.E and St. Paul A.M.E. On October 20, 2016, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson appointed Reverend Shawn D. Drains as the senior pastor of Antioch-East AME in Conyers, GA. On June 2, 2019, Reverend Drains was appointed to Saint Peter AME in Fort Valley, GA. On October 29, 2021, he was appointed to Trinity AME in Atlanta, GA. Most recently, on June 4, 2023, Bishop Jackson appointed Reverend Drains to St. Paul AME in Atlanta, GA, where he currently serves.

Reverend Drains is committed to excellence in ministry. He feels compelled to always give God his best because he knows there is no way he could ever repay God for the miracles God has bestowed upon him and his family. Reverend Drains’ favorite scripture is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” Reverend Drains has three lovely daughters, Daisha, Diarra, and Deana and four lovely grandchildren, Mason Robertson, ZaRiyah Jackson, Mehlani Mosley, Zy’Rielle Johnson-Cyrmes, Makai Mosley and Zy’Aire Hargrove. Reverend Drains is grateful to God for allowing him the opportunity to serve as pastor of St. Paul. He loves and cherishes his members, and he is thankful to God for sending him to a church
where people love God and are willing to move to higher heights in the direction led by the Holy Spirit.