The Rev. Pam Driesell said watching her father, college basketball coach Lefty Driesell, on the court helped prepare her for the pulpit.
"He was absolutely passionate about his vocation," she said. And, she's passionate about "sharing the good news about God's love for people. There are a lot of parallels between pastoring and coaching. As a pastor, I try to help people discover the fullness of their lives. I help them discover their gifts and how to use them for the common good and that's, in essence, the role of a coach."
Soon, Driesell will bring her passion to Atlanta, where she has been named the new senior pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church on Howell Mill Road. Driesell, 49, joins Trinity from Oconee Prebyterian Church in Watkinsville, where she was pastor.
She called the move a difficult decision, saying nonetheless that "with that sadness comes great joy and anticipation in joining Trinity in their mission."
Driesell was approved as senior pastor after an 18-month search, said Jim Henderson, chairman of the church's pastor nominating committee. She starts Oct. 3.
"We were looking for somebody who we thought could lead Trinity's congregation for the next decade or more," Henderson said. "We were looking for someone who would bring vision to our church, we were looking for someone with leadership skills and who would bring great preaching. We were looking for someone who would ultimately be a leader in our community."
Trinity was founded in 1949 and has about 2,200 members. The Rev. David Burns, executive pastor, has been serving as acting senior pastor. Burns called Driesell a "very engaging human being who has a great presence about her."
Driesell earned her bachelor's degree from James Madison University in 1982 and a master's from Hollins University in 1994. She earned a master's of divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1998 and received the James T. Galloway Prize in expository preaching. Driesell is the mother of two sons, Ty and Walker Anderson.
Driesell said her parents plan to be on the front row when she is installed on Nov. 14.
And, while her lineage had nothing to do with her selection as senior pastor, Henderson said that having Lefty Driesell's daughter in the pulpit won't be a bad thing.
"Trinity does have a disproportionately large number of ACC basketball fans," he said jokingly. "But that has nothing to do with the call."
For more faith and values news, follow me at ajcfaithvalues.
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