Reverend Marcus D. Collins answered his call to ministry at the age of sixteen, beginning his public ministry at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, under the guidance of his pastor, Dr. Clinton David Patterson. Many and diverse speaking opportunities, both within and beyond Beulah, helped Reverend Collins to rapidly and progressively develop in preaching and teaching. Likewise, these years of assisting his pastor trained him in the fundamental aspects of spiritual leadership.

 

After graduating from high school, Reverend Collins studied at Beulah Heights Bible College in Atlanta, Georgia, which provided him with a broad knowledge of biblical and theological concepts and hands-on training in practical ministry environments. He furthered his education at Atlanta Christian College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations.

 

Reverend Collins carries a deep commitment to serving both the church and the community. He seamlessly navigates both spheres, mentoring others and using his skills as a licensed Funeral Director and Life Insurance Agent to make a tangible difference. Driven by a desire to uplift and empower those facing adversity, Reverend Collins is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, where he strives to advance social, economic, and intellectual progress.

 

He serves as the founder and senior pastor of Grace Community Church in Montgomery, AL, alongside his wife, Takiya B. Collins, and their daughter, Mackenzie Jordan. The church began with 36 people in March 2017. The mission is simple: Loving people to life. When God called him to plant Grace, Reverend Collins envisioned a church where everybody is touched by God’s love, where nobody—however bad—is excluded, and where anybody can be gifted with new

life.

 

In March of 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pastor Collins led the church to
launch the SayYourGrace Food and Wellness Program to address food insecurity in Montgomery County. Under his leadership, Grace has partnered with the Heart of Alabama Food Bank to provide supplemental food boxes to over 200 seniors monthly. Grace also supports Montgomery Public School students through the Food Backpack Program and operates a weekly client-choice pantry, where neighbors across Montgomery County are given access to fresh vegetables and produce. The pantry feeds 600 families each month.

 

Reverend Collins earned his Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory
University, with a concentration in Race and Religion. His research explores the intersection of social ethics, food justice, and the role of faith communities in addressing systemic inequities, particularly in the Black Belt region.

 

Motivated by his love for people, his love for preaching, and his belief that no one is beyond the reach of God, Marcus’ greatest joy is seeing lives transformed through what God might have to say through him. Those who sit under his preaching would most aptly describe his attitude using Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2:1–2: