Paul Purdue, Senior Pastor

Joined Belmont UMC staff in 2017

Academic background

  • Asbury Theological Seminary, M. Div.
  • University of Kentucky, B.A., Psychology

Family life

  • “Married Connie Jo Starnes in 1988. She is a physical therapist and makes me a better person.”
  • “Our family has camped our way across all the lower 48 states culminating in hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.”
  • Two children
    • Eldest son, Lewis, is married to Jillian Miller Purdue. Lewis is a mechanical engineer in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Jillian attends law school.
    • Youngest son, Caleb, is studying theatre, music, Appalachian studies, and political science at the University of Kentucky.

Interests and activities

Traveling, hiking, camping, kayaking, and restoring family’s Century Farm in Kentucky

Places called home besides Nashville

  • Lexington, KY, youth and gym director; Rosemont Baptist Church, Children and Youth Director; Epworth UMC
  • Winchester, TN, Associate Pastor, Winchester First UMC
  • Springfield, TN, Pastor, New Chapel UMC
  • Antioch TN, Senior Pastor Hillcrest UMC
  • Tullahoma, TN, Senior Pastor, First UMC

Reason for chosen career

“Grace, Social Holiness, and Connie Starnes Purdue”