DECATUR HERALD & REVIEW
20 UNDER 40 | MAY 2020 |
11
BJ LEONARD Age: 36
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Occupation: Missions pastor at First Chris- Community involvement: I lead aspects of the Annual WSOY Community Food tian Church Drive, am co-director of Night to Shine, Family: Married to my wife, Mary, of 13 lead the Jumpstart Back-to-School Clinic, years. We are the parents of Hannah (8), oversee chaplaincy partnerships at DMH twins Lydia and Mia (6), and Dominic (3). and Crossing Healthcare, provide pastoral leadership at Parsons Elementary School Career highlights and/or accomplishments: and the Club 305 after school program Since moving to Decatur in 2010, I began in partnership with DPS 61 and the One expanding the Club 305 after-school pro- School One Church Initiative, and live with gram for Parsons Elementary School stu- my family on North Church Street in the dents, created the free Jumpstart Back-to- GM Square Neighborhood. School Clinic that now provides hundreds of free physicals each year, established a What should the community do to attract system for taking medical mission teams to more young people to the area: Decatur Kenya, created a community development is a great community that is able to come initiative in the GM Square neighborhood, together in powerful ways. While there are helped launch the Arts Academy which challenges, such as all communities have, provides free instruction in the arts, and there are also opportunities for each of us to helped to establish Night to Shine, a prom invest in the lives of others and make a real experience for individuals in our commu- difference. Decatur can attract and retain nity with special needs. Along with being more young people by prioritizing investa pastor and afterschool program director, ment in the next generation. I also have been an adjunct professor, published several magazine articles, and served What would your perfect Saturday be like? on a number of community boards. A perfect Saturday would be spent outI received bachelors and masters degrees doors with family and friends. from Lincoln Christian University and Fuller Theological Seminary and is cur- Who inspires you to be better? Other pracrently pursuing a doctoral degree at The titioners, friends, mentors, and my wife.
Decatur is a great community that is able to come together in powerful ways.
Williams
What are three things most people don’t know about you? 1. I enjoy reading. From 9 2. I enjoy grilling. been wonderful to see the revitalization of 3. I do not eat breakfast or snack very often. the Decatur downtown area which helps to attract people to shop and eat. The Devon What would your perfect Saturday be like? Amphitheater is a great attraction for people A hot Saturday in September starting with in the immediate, but it brings people from watching Knox play a flag football game. Afother areas to Macon County to spend their terwards, come home and grill some burgers money in our communities. and play pool volleyball. End the afternoon by grilling a big steak Continue to promote outdoor activities at the local parks and walking paths. Mount and watch a Notre Dame football game in Zion has Fletcher Park and Spitler Woods, the evening and play a game of Sorry with which offer a great place to enjoy a nice day my wife and son. outside and exercise. The village of Mount Zion will be adding Who inspires you to be better? When you a splash pad at Fletcher Park for families to have a child or children, you want to set an take advantage of. example for them to learn by.
SARAH JANE PHOTOGRAPHY
