Preparations are being made by the Macedonia M.B. Church family to celebrate their pastor’s 38th year as a preacher of the gospel and 35 years as pastor of the local congregation. 

Zannie Leland Jr. became pastor of Macedonia in 1981 while he was only 21 years old. 

During his tenure the congregation has grown in all aspects, with a building project now nearing completion at the church’s hilltop campus in the Macedonia Community.

Leland, a Batesville native, is the son of the late Rev. Zannie Leland Sr. and the late Mrs. Rosa G. Leland. He is a 1977 graduate of South Panola High School and furthered his education at Jackson State University, Tenn. School of Religion, and Jacksonville Theological Seminary, obtaining bachelor’s and master’s degrees in theology and a doctorate in Christian counseling. 

He is a retired educator, having worked in the South Panola School District for over 32 years. 

Pastor Leland has worked throughout the community, serving on various boards and committees, and currently serves as chairman of the four-day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Celebration.

He is a member of the Cross of Christ Committee, moderator of the Sardis District Missionary Baptist Association Sunday School and N.B.C. Congress of North Mississippi and a member of the board of directors for General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi. 

Pastor Leland’s extensive work in ministering to the sick and bereaved has earned him the unofficial title of community pastor.

This weekend’s celebration will honor both pastor and celebrants, beginning Friday, with a Feast and Fellowship to be hosted by Leland to honor the members of the congregation. 

Saturday the church family will share with the Young Family in honoring their matriarch, Ruby Young, to celebrate her 95th birthday. Young is the oldest member of Macedonia. 

On Sunday the celebration will climax with a day of love during the morning service at 11 a.m. honoring Dr. Leland’s 35-year tenure as pastor.