Reverend Dr. Jerry Lytle Cannon, the son of the late Mr. Esau Cannon and Mrs. Corrine Cannon, was born and raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina where he attended public school. In 1984, Dr. Cannon received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia. In 1988, he earned a Master of Divinity Degree, specializing in the Bible from the Interdenominational Theological Center—Johnson C. Smith University Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio in 1998.

Dr. Cannon’s involvement with the church is long-standing, and he is especially committed to evangelism and community service. During his years as a student, he experienced a variety of job opportunities, which greatly enriched his growth. He was a student minister at Salem Presbyterian Church in Anderson, South Carolina and did internships at the Radcliffe Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia; the outreach program at the West Hills Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia; Peoples Presbyterian Church, Denver, Colorado; Stony Point Conference Center, Stony Point, New York; Ghost Ranch Conference Center, Abique, New Mexico; and the Cameron House in San Francisco, California.

In September 1992, Dr. Cannon was installed as Pastor/Head of Staff at C. N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina.  His dynamic service and spiritual leadership at C. N. Jenkins has made an impact on ten of the young adult members who have recently entered schools of Religion.  Three seminarians graduated from Columbia Seminary; one from Johnson C. Smith Seminary; two from Princeton Seminary and one from Union-PSCE.  There are 2 students currently enrolled at Union-PSCE and one at McCormick Seminary.

Dr. Cannon continues to envision programs to include members of the community.  At the present, the Church has a partnership ministry with Rebound Shelter which includes transportation to Sunday School and worship every Sunday morning; service at Rebound once a month; partnership with Women’s Shelter through the Presbyterian Women’s Organization; Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous Ministry which meet weekly at the Church; RAIN (HIV) Ministry; AARP Norwes Chapter; four weekly Bible Ministries; FINE ARTS Ministry which includes classes in Liturgical Dance, Visual Art, Public Speaking, Steel Drums, and Drama. The classes are free to the community; Annual Appreciation Sunday for 911 Law Enforcers; Bikers Sunday; formal graduation ceremony for high school graduates, college and post-graduate students; annual appreciation Sunday for college students in the local area; and Girl Scout Ministries.  The Church has formed a partnership with Greenville Center and is presently forming a partnership with the new Walter G. Byers Elementary School in the area of tutoring, etc.  Dr. Cannon has been a voluntary tutor at Tryon Hills Elementary School.

In addition to his outreach ministries, Dr. Cannon has completed service as a member of the Board of Trustees, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary; a member of the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries of Central Carolina; Faculty member of Project Burning Bush – Union Theological Seminary; Faculty member of Love of Learning Program of Davidson College; former President of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus; past Chair of the Presbyterian Cross Caucus Committee; former member, Barium Springs Home for Children; and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Reverend Dr. Cannon is a visionary and an anointed servant of God; he is worthy to be honored. He is married to Mrs. Veronica Obey Cannon and they have four children—Rudolph, Raymond, Rosalyn, and Richard.