Lurone Jennings

Executive Director of Bethlehem Center Advocate for High Risk Youth

Lurone was born in Lafayette, Alabama, but grew up in the South side inner city of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is a 1972 graduate of Howard High School, where he became an outstanding athlete in football, basketball and track. His athletic and academic skills earned him a football scholarship to Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, one of the most prestigious Black Colleges in the country. Lurone earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education in 1977. After graduating from Fisk University, he returned to Chattanooga and began his teaching and coaching career with the Chattanooga City School System. During his coaching career Lurone had the pleasure of coaching NFL Star, Reggie White, former Green Bay Packer, All-Pro Defensive End. He also coached Olympic Gold Medallist, Venus Lacy, who starred on the US Women’s Olympic Basketball Team.

 

In 1983 Lurone became a committed disciple for Jesus and in 1986 he was licensed and ordained as a Baptist Minister. He attended Beraccah Bible Institute and earned a Certificate of Study in 1988. In 1992 he received a Master’s Degree in Education, with a concentration in Administration and Supervision, from Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, TN.

 

In 1992, Lurone became Principal of his alma mater, Howard School of Academics and Technology, the largest inner city high school in Chattanooga. He later moved to the school system’s Central Office as Director of Drug Education and Athletics, with responsibility for programs in forty-one schools.

 

After much prayer and 18 years of working with youth in the public schools of Chattanooga, in 1995 Lurone heard the Voice and felt the hand of Jesus calling him into full-time ministry. He was appointed founding pastor of the Bethlehem United Methodist Church, now known as Bethlehem-Wiley United Methodist Church. He jointly serves as the Executive Director of the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers, Inc. otherwise known as the Bethlehem Center. He is one of the founders of the Bethlehem Community Development Credit Union, the first of its kind to be chartered in the State of Tennessee. He is the founder and Head Coach of The V-Team Leadership Network providing a "VOICE with VISION and VICTORY for the Game of Life." He is the Associate Publisher for the Chattanooga Courier, an African American owned newspaper. Lurone is also a member of the National Association of United Methodists Evangelists (NAUME) and is an affiliate Leadership Coach with the International Leadership Institute (ILI).

 

In 2005 Lurone released his book, "Crisis in Urban America", which reveals his vision for dealing with the many problems plaguing our inner city communities.

 

Lurone is married to Glinda H. Jennings and they have 3 children, Lurone Jr., Luronda and David, as well as three granddaughters, Ania, Tymber, and Nadia. Lurone also shares his faith and ministry through his revivals, conferences, workshops, and sermons in other churches, schools, and ministries throughout the country.