Rev. Deontez Wimbley was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. He became a member of the United Methodist Church his freshman year of college at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Claflin University is one of the 11 historically Black United Methodist institutions of higher education. After graduating from Claflin with a bachelors in Sociology, he started a career in public health. For close to a decade, Rev. Deontez worked to eliminate HIV disparities, increase sexual health literacy, and decrease the prevalence of sexual violence.

It was a rewarding career, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rev. Deontez experienced a call to ministry that led him to his very first appointment as the Pastor of Cross Roads UMC. Rev. Deontez is a student at the Methodist Theological School of Ohio in Delaware, Ohio pursuing his Masters of Divinity and Masters in Theological Studies. He is also on the ordination track to become an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church. He is a proud uncle, brother, and dog dad. When he is not reading a book or writing a sermon, he enjoys really long walks and fun outings with friends.

Feel free to email him asking for coffee or tea. His treat!

pastordeontez@crossroadsphx.com