Dr. Stanley K McCrary is a 1978 graduate of Pickens County High School in Reform, AL. That same year he joined the United States Navy. While in the Navy he earned an associate degree in Computer Science at San Diego Mesa College in San Diego, CA which at that time was the largest community college in the United States. His leadership skills helped him to be elected President of the Student Union. He retired in 1998 after proudly serving his country for 20 years in the Submarine Service. He worked in Chicago as a Design Engineer and then on to Atlanta as a mid-level manager for the same company, SBC Telecom.
He returned to his home where he was employed at Columbus Air Force Base as a Telecommunications Specialist, later as a contractor for 4-County Electric Power Association, and finally as a Configuration/Depot Computer Technician at Logista, all located in Columbus, MS.
In August on 2001 he answered his calling into the ministry and preached his first sermon on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2001. In May of 2002 he was called to Mt Pleasant Baptist Church in Carrollton, AL and was installed as Pastor in August of that same year.
Following the advice of the Apostle Paul, Pastor McCrary continued his studies of God and His Word. He earned his PhD (Biblical Studies in Theology) from Masters International School of Divinity in Evansville, IN on July 19, 2008. Dr. McCrary lectured for the six years at the Alabama State Baptist Women’s Convention. He faithfully served as Pastor of Mt Pleasant Baptist Church for thirteen years and is currently teaching at the Ministerial Institution and College in West Point, MS where he was also a student. Dr. Stanley K. McCrary now serves as the ninth pastor of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, MS and in 2020 planted the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Kisii Town, Kenya.
Dr. McCrary is a Distinguished Toastmaster and regularly speaks to civic organizations providing thoughtful insight on a variety of subjects. He is a former President of the Lowndes County United Way Executive Board which oversees 18 non-profit organizations and is currently a board member.
Dr. McCrary is a strong supporter of the military. He is a Columbus Air Force Base Wingman (#13) and is the second Black person to be honored with this lifetime appointment. He is the first minister to be assigned to the position as Honorable Chaplin for the base.
Dr. McCrary lives in Steens, MS where he is married to his 1st grade sweetheart Surenell and together they have five children: Marie, LaKiesha, Erica, Xavier, Kapri, and two grandchildren: Laila and Jeffery.