First gay pastor

The Rev. William R. Johnson born June 12, in Houston, Texas was the first openly gay person ordained in the United Church of Christ UCC and the first such person ordained in the history of Christianity. His ordination is the subject of the Michael Rhodes documentary film, A Position of Faith ; released on video in

Be the First to Know — Not the Last to Scroll. Unlock exclusive, in-depth stories that go beyond headlines. Join thousands who get our FREE daily newsletter. Ordained minister Robert Lowry, the pastor and head of staff at Fondren Presbyterian in Jackson, Miss.

Randall Lucas first felt called to the ministry when he was 15 years old in church camp. He described it as a feeling of yearning and desire to be more in touch with God. At the time, he was a member of an evangelical church. When he came out as gay in his 20s, he put aside his dream of one day joining the ministry there.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, in the Westbury-Meyerland area of Houston, welcomed Rev. Havard spoke to OutSmart magazine about his background, his journey to becoming a pastor, and what it was like when he first came out to a previous congregation. Megan Wadding: Tell me about your early years. Marvin Havard: I grew up in the little town of Roxie, Mississippi, near Natchez, in a fundamentalist Southern Baptist family and church.