Pastor Zachary Taylor

Hey Y’all!

My name is Zachary Taylor, and I am the pastor at Chehalis UMC. I am originally from Columbus, Georgia, and lived there for about 25 years. I graduated in 2002 from the University of Georgia, and after that, I taught high school special education and was a wrestling coach. I received my master’s in Special Education from Columbus State University in 2007 and a terminal degree (EdS.) in Administration in 2010.

I experienced a call at the age of 29 and began the candidacy process at my local church, Living Grace UMC. I sold all my belongings and moved sight unseen to New York City where I went to Union Theological Seminary for three years. During my time there I interned at the Riverside Church, a very large African American Baptist Church. I also was a hospital chaplain at Columbia University Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New York.

After graduating, I moved to the Northwest for my first appointment as Pastor of Discipleship with Puyallup UMC. I moved to my second appointment with a former EUB church, Grace UMC. Grace ended up having to close due to shrinking membership and finances. Then I was asked by the Bishop to remain in Walla Walla and start a new Methodist Church! I did that for four years, and we made a lot of difference in the community there!

My daughter Gigi is 4 years old and has one more year of preschool left! She loves unicorns, cats, princesses, and swimming!

As for me, I love College Football, Barbecue, naps, and video games! If you ever find yourself bored, I have an office at the church, and I need literally no excuse to go get coffee.