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James David Gailliard
Pastor. Philanthropist. Community Leader.
Pastor James David Gailliard is a Non-Profit Executive and Public Policy Architect.
He is the organizing and Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Church located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Under his leadership the church has grown from a church plant of 14 people to a mega-church serving
thousands of families within 35 North Carolina counties, 17 states including Virginia, New York, and Alaska,
as well as internationally including Singapore, India, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria. Word Tabernacle was
named amongst the 100 fastest growing churches in America. Word Tabernacle church is housed in a former
110,000 sq. ft Home Depot, making it the state’s largest building re-use project of its type.
Pastor Gailliard served two terms in the North Carolina General Assembly, becoming “living history” as the
only person of color to be elected to represent House District 25 (Nash-Rocky Mount). He served as a member
of the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, is a current member of the North Carolina Sentencing
and Policy Commission, and a Fellow, NC Institute of Political Leadership (IOPL).
As Principal of Impact Consultants, LLC and the Faith and Victory Fund he gives leadership to corporations,
nonprofits, university systems, governments and foundations in cross sector faith collaboration to drive system
level, catalytic change, particularly in rural and under resourced communities.
Pastor Gailliard was a 2023 President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Pastor Gailliard is an inductee of the Morehouse College Board of Preachers where he was an honor roll and
Dean’s list student. He is a current member and former Chairman of the Board of the North Carolina Legislative
Black Caucus Foundation.
As a Commissioner of MyFutureNC, he was one of the architects of the statewide educational attainment goal.
Visionary, pioneer, leader, humanitarian, and philanthropist, Pastor Gailliard was named a Distinguished
Citizen by the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce.
He is the Founder- Chairman of The REACH Center, Inc, and a Trustee of Elizabeth City State University.
His work has been featured in publications such as Fact & Trends, Church Executive, Business North Carolina
and many national and local newspapers. He is a husband, father and grandfather, affectionately known as
Pastor G.
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Commissioner, My Future NC
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Board of Trustees, Louisburg College
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Board of Preachers, Morehouse College
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Board of Visitors, Shaw University School of Divinity
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Board of Directors, Kiwanis Club
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Fellow, North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership
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Board of Directors, The Tar River United Way
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Board of Directors, Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce
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Founding Board Member, Tar River Mission Clinic
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Board of Visitors, North Carolina Wesleyan College
What drives me...
Faith.
I am the organizing and Senior Pastor of Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC. Under my leadership the church has grown from a church plant of 14 people to a mega-church serving thousands of families across twenty North Carolina Counties, several states and even internationally.
Focus.
I've served two terms in the North Carolina General Assembly. During those terms, I championed over 35 Bills, co-sponsored crucial initiatives, and lent my expertise to five pivotal Standing Committees, including Health and Education. As a Commissioner of My Future NC, I played a vital role in shaping statewide educational goals.
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I am a graduate of Morehouse College, and I proudly serve as a member of their Board of Preachers in recognition of my commitment to education and faith.
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I chair the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, a role that reflects my dedication to community progress. I am also the Founder and Chairman of The REACH Center, Inc., a foundation rooted in hope, opportunity, and empowerment.
Family.
I am a proud husband to Angela and a father to Matthew, Jada, Jasmine, Jacey, and Latoya. I take immense joy in being a grandfather to Makalya, Kyla, and Xada. I am affectionately known as Pastor G and I am a spiritual father and brother to many.
In my free time I find solace in the roar of my Harley Davidson or in a friendly game of pool.
