bokeh interior of modern lutheran, christian church
REV. DR. ZACHERY S. HUDSON
The Reverend Dr. Zachery S. Hudson, a leader, pastor, and community activist, passed away into eternal life on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. He was 74 years old.
He was born Monday, March 6, 1950 in Columbus, GA to a strong single mother, Mary Hudson, who later married the Reverend Willie Thompson, who became a father figure to young Zachery. He was the only child to his nurturing parents.
In June 1960, he was baptized at the Greater Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, GA by Reverend G. W. Mitchell.
Reverend Dr. Hudson was educated in the public schools of Columbus/Muskogee County and graduated in 1968 from Spencer High School in Columbus, where he played football and was a very good student. Upon graduating, he entered Albany State University on a full scholarship. After one year he enrolled into Columbus College, now known as Columbus University in Columbus, GA.
His college career was interrupted by being drafted into the United States Army, where he served in the Vietnam War. After his tour of duty in the War, he returned to Columbus and completed his studies at Columbus College where he attained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Later, he received the Masters of Divinity from Morehouse School of Religion Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). Finally, he earned the Doctor of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Reverend Dr. Hudson was licensed to preach the Gospel on December 24, 1978, and ordained on May 5, 1979 in Columbus, GA at the Greater Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. His pastoral experience began at Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika, AL, from 1980 until 1988 when he received “The Call” to pastor New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa, FL.
While at New Mount Zion, he focused on Christian Education, Leadership Development, Youth Nurturing, and empowering men to engage in ministry and leadership. Under his leadership the church grew. Phase I and Phase II of the interior renovations were completed. Also, while at New Mount Zion he was active in the First South Florida Baptist Association, the Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention under the leadership of the Reverend Ned Sanders, and the National Baptist Convention of America.
His tenure at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church ended in 1992.
In 1994, he became the Founder/Senior Pastor of the Re-Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The church was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
His vision for Re-Birth was for her to lay a foundation for future generations spiritually, socially, and educationally.
The Church matured and prospered through strong Christian education and sincere commitment, under his leadership and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For thirty years as Pastor of Re-Birth Missionary Baptist Church, he established numerous ministries, property purchased, a charter school from K to 5th grade was started and a certified day care was opened.
As a result of his work in the Kingdom, he was highly recognized with countless awards and recognitions. He was once active with the Masonic Lodge in Georgia. While living in Tampa, he was involved with many community and religious organizations. He has served with the NAACP, a member of the Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, taught the pastoral class at the Tampa Baptist Seminary and the State Baptist Congress, bestowed the honor of a Samuel DeWitt Proctor Fellow at the School of Theology of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, and the Tampa Bay Clergy Association under leader Bishop Thomas Scott.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, pastor, preacher and friend. His hobbies were sports and reading.
Tentative funeral arrangements are scheduled for Friday, May 17th and Saturday, May 18th. Aikens Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.
