Elder Hudson - Outstanding Elder - South Atlanta District

Presiding Elder Dr. Larry William Hudson, Sr.

Presiding Elder Dr. Larry William Hudson, Sr. is a native of Rome, Georgia where he attended the public elementary and high schools. He is a graduate of Georgia College, Milledgeville, Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree and earned a Master of Divinity Degree from the Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia. An honorary Doctor of Divinity degree was bestowed upon him by Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia in 2015. The South District of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference honored Elder Hudson as Presiding Elder of the Year in May 2016. In September 2016, the Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization honored Elder Hudson as the Outstanding Presiding Elder of the Year during their Biennial Convention. The North District of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference honored Elder Hudson as Presiding Elder of the Year in April 2018 and June 2020. The Atlanta North Georgia Conference Lay Organization honored Elder Hudson as Presiding Elder of the Year for the 2023-2024 Conference Year.

He accepted his call to ministry in 1975 at his home church, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Rome, Georgia. His visionary and perceptive leadership has been demonstrated in all his pastoral appointments which include Bethel A.M.E. Church (Woodbury, Georgia); Bush Chapel A.M.E. Church (Zebulon, Georgia) the church constructed a new edifice; Cleveland Chapel A.M.E. Church (McDonough, Georgia) the church completed a major renovation; Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church (Rock Mart, Georgia) the church constructed an annex; St. Thomas A.M.E. Church (Thomasville, Georgia) the church underwent major renovations; Antioch A.M.E. Church (Decatur, Georgia) the church reclaimed the structure and property for the A.M.E. Church; Bethel A.M.E. Church (Augusta, Georgia) the church was relocated, and the surrounding property purchased, to provide an area that promoted opportunities for growth and community involvement. Ministries were increased and expanded into the community; and St. Mark A.M.E. Church (Atlanta, Georgia) the church was renovated with the construction of an Administration Building and elevator. Reverend Hudson was appointed Presiding Elder of the South District of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference in June 2014. He was appointed Presiding Elder of the North District of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference in June 2016. In June 2024, he was reappointed Presiding Elder of the South District of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference.

His employment career includes Adjunct Professor at Paine College, Augusta, Georgia and Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina. He has been a teacher, counselor, and Assistant Director with the State of Georgia Department of Children and Youth Services, Regional Youth Detention Center. He taught secondary school at Boddie Junior High School, Milledgeville, Georgia.

Reverend Hudson served in the Armed Services during the Vietnam Era. He has received numerous awards and honors. He was inducted into the Turner Alumni Hall of Fame of Turner Theological Seminary in 2015. He has served with various civic and community organizations, including the Harrisburg Anvil (Augusta), Minority Advisory Board of WJBF (Channel 6), the Optimist Club (Augusta) and Stoklein Temple – 32 Degree Mason (Augusta) and Compass Lodge 160 (Sparta). He is a Charter Member of the Blackstone Shrine Club of Sparta, Georgia. However, his greatest honor is being called to preach the Word of God. Knowing as Nehemiah “The God of heaven, he will prosper us,” he led the South District – “Rebuilding and Retooling for the Future.” The North District became a “family” led by Holy Spirit following the “North Star.” Returning to the South District, with the Lord’s guidance, the South District will see that “The Best Is Yet To Come.”

Presiding Elder Hudson serves as Treasurer and Trustee of the Sixth Episcopal District, and the Treasurer of the Trustee Board of Turner Theological Seminary. He is the Fourth Year Advisor of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference Board of Examiners. He has worked diligently alongside others to save and restore the reputation of Morris Brown College – a true treasure of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He served the A.M.E. Church at the Connectional Level as a member of the Episcopal Committee of The General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church from 1996-2024. In 2019, he was elected an At-Large member of the Connectional Presiding Elders’ Council.

Presiding Elder Hudson has been married to Barbara Clayton Hudson for more than 50 years and is the father of three children, the grandfather of eleven and the great grandfather of one.