September 18, 2024
SILVER CREEK, Ga. — Dr. Philip May, Senior Pastor of Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church, has announced his retirement, effective September 8, 2024. Dr. May faithfully served as the pastor of PVS since September 1997, contributing significantly to the church's growth and spiritual life. Remarkably, PVS has had only two pastors in the last 52 years.
Dr. May is married to Delaine (Bradley) May. Together, they have served in three churches over their 43 years of ministry: Salley Baptist Church in Salley, South Carolina; First Baptist Church in Warrenton, Georgia; and for the past 27 years, Pleasant Valley South in Silver Creek, Georgia.
Under Dr. May’s leadership, Pleasant Valley South experienced substantial growth, with membership increasing from 1,000 to 2,300. The church successfully completed three capital campaigns, resulting in the construction of a 900-seat worship center, an education building, a new children's building, and an Awana gym. Situated on 46 acres, PVS has become a prominent leader in Cooperative Program giving, mission work, and contributions to the Floyd County Baptist Association.
In 2024, PVS celebrated achieving a debt-free status, positioning the church for continued growth, especially with the development of a new 900-home subdivision across from the church.
Dr. May earned his bachelor of Business Administration degree from Augusta College in Augusta, Georgia; his master’s degree of Divinity from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas; and his doctorate of Ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. May served in numerous leadership roles, including two terms on the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention; five years as a trustee of The Christian Index; and as a member of the Shorter University Board of Trustees. He also contributed his expertise to the Administration Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention.
