MEET OUR PASTORS

Bert Montgomery (he/him)

Bert has served as pastor of University Baptist Church since August 2008. He previously served in the positions of pastor and youth minister at churches in Kentucky.

A graduate of the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky (M.Div., 2007), Bert also holds a master’s degree in sociology (Mississippi College, 1993).  He was born in New Orleans and has lived in Memphis – which he considers to be the southernmost and northernmost cities in Mississippi. Prior to serving in ministry staff positions, he served as a juvenile court probation officer (first in Jackson, MS, and then in Memphis, TN). He spent his freshman year of college right here at Mississippi State University playing trombone in the Famous Maroon Band, then transferred to Union University and earned his undergraduate degree in religion and philosophy.

As a multi-vocational pastor, Bert also teaches sociology and religion courses at Mississippi State University, contributes regularly to the weekly FaithElement podcast, and sometimes finds time to write faith and culture articles online sites and local papers. He is the author of five books.

To learn more about Bert’s writings, visit his personal author page.

Bert and his wife, Jency, have been married since 1989, and they have two sons (both are graduates from MSU).

Sara Herrington Jones (she/her)

During the Spring semester of 2021, Sara began serving on staff as UBC’s Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care. She is no stranger to our fellowship — she and her family (husband, Nolan, and sons, Richard and Patrick) were active members about a decade ago when they lived in a nearby town. They have returned for visits since then, and Sara has preached at UBC numerous times.

Sara brings to UBC a creative approach toward church as an inclusive, egalitarian, and participatory community. God’s Spirit is evident in her passion for deep, healing, and transformative pastoral care. Her love of Scriptures, of the many rich and varied traditions flowing through our Christian faith, and for the world and all in it shines through her in her when visiting with others (online, by phone, and in-person), leading prayers, and preaching the Good News from the pulpit.

Sara is a graduate of the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky. She and Nolan met while marching together in MSU’s Famous Maroon Band.

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