As the third child of a sharecropper, John McNeal, Jr., was born in Metter, Georgia, during the Great Depression. Influenced by the steadfast faith of his parents and grandmother, he came to know the Lord as a young teen and had a great desire to know the Bible. Although no one in his family had graduated from high school, he had a thirst for knowledge and wanted to become an educator. As a teenager, he asked the Lord to enable him to finish high school and go on to college and graduate school. Mr. McNeal served in the U.S. Air Force for four years after high school, part of that time in the Korean War. While in the Air Force, the Lord called him into the gospel ministry. To be adequately equipped to teach the Word of God, Mr. McNeal applied to several seminaries known for their sound theological training. Although several institutions turned him down because of his race, he was accepted at Grace Theological Seminary. He was the first African American student to graduate from Grace Theological Seminary. Over his 60+ years in ministry, the Lord has given Pastor McNeal numerous opportunities to serve Christian organizations nationwide. In May 2024, Dr. McNeal was bestowed an honorary doctorate degree from Grace Theological Seminary, recognizing him for a life of deep faith and dedication to knowing Christ and making Christ known. Would you get on your feet and welcome to the chapel stage, Dr. John McNeal!!
Bio: https://www.atlantabiblebaptist.org/history
Chapel link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtgsuTOwrGI&t=553s
