Patrick Burgess, a Sandy Cross native, is the 13th pastor of Crawford church
Click here to listen to the people and sounds of Mount Olive.
Music filled Mount Olive Baptist Church as the congregation welcomed its newest senior pastor, Clarence “Patrick” Burgess.
Parishioners clapped their hands and stomped their feet among sturdy oak pews. Dim light through stained-glass windows created vibrant purples and pinks on the carpet, while pattering drums complemented the spirited scene.
Then, Burgess roused the modest church last Sunday morning with a fiery sermon about “going to work” for the community.
Mount Olive, which is in Crawford, is a historically Black church that has been a cornerstone of the community since 1971. In his role as the 13th pastor of Mount Olive, Burgess said he vows to honor its rich history and traditions, while also advocating for change.
“It is a family-oriented church, full of love and full of embracing all walks of life,” Burgess said.
A native of Sandy Cross, Burgess began his journey into the ministry at the age of 6, thanks to a toy piano he received for Christmas. He admired the black and white keys, eventually teaching himself the rhythm, melody and notes necessary to perform gospel music. He played for churches across Northeast Georgia before becoming an ordained minister in 2005.
On Sundays, Burgess, 34, can be found behind the piano and the pulpit. After delivering an impassioned sermon, he accompanies his wife, Shantisa Burgess, in song. Shantisa’s powerful vibrato reverberates against the stained glass, moving much of the congregation to tears during her rendition of songs like “Break Every Chain.”
Burgess said his position at Mount Olive, which began Jan. 6, was divinely orchestrated. He had led New Tate’s Grove Baptist Church in Elberton for seven years, when the deacons of Mount Olive extended him the offer of senior pastor.
“I knew God was in it because I’ve always had a yearning to come back home to Oglethorpe,” said Burgess.
Although compelled to worship at Mount Olive, Burgess couldn’t abandon his other congregation in the midst of a pandemic. He ultimately decided to balance both roles; he now serves as a senior pastor at Mount Olive and New Tate’s Grove Baptist Church.
Twice a month, Burgess preaches at Mount Olive and dedicates his time to connecting with each parishioner on a personal level. He greets members with handshakes and jokes, filling the church with laughter and a palpable sense of comradery.
Mount Olive’s tight-knit congregation regarded the election of a new senior pastor as a significant opportunity for the church.
“Pastor Burgess is the youngest pastor that Mount Olive has had, and I think he comes with a completely different vision,” said Tershant Smith, a longtime member of the church.
Burgess’ vision is focused on issues that affect the surrounding city. With a poverty rate of 16.1%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, he considers Crawford to be in desperate need of community outreach.
From providing children with free backpacks to registering eligible voters, Burgess is focused on building a stronger community and a more charitable church.
“If the church is not connected to the community, there will be no church,” Smith said.
Burgess plans to make an even bigger impact on Crawford by starting an after-school program, participating in food drives and developing a support system for the elderly.
But in the meantime, Mount Olive Baptist Church is committed to creating a worship experience filled with music and fellowship.
“We embrace everybody. I believe if we love one another, everything else will fall as it should,” Burgess said.