Rev. Jessica Renee Boanerges, M.Div.

              Rev. Jessica Renee Boanerges is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a

Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications/ Broadcast Journalism. During College, Jessica

interned with Radio Star 94, writing, producing and voicing commercial spots for businesses in the area. Ms. Durr was the voice for a local Radio Station-Mix 103.5 which aired in Northwest Alabama on weekends for the Clear Channel Corporation and a News Reporter for WZZA in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

             During College, in October of 2003, Jessica confessed her calling and preached her initial

sermon February 1, 2004 at Greater St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Florence, AL.

On August 19, 2006, Ms. Boanerges moved to Atlanta, GA., to begin Seminary/Graduate

work at the Interdenominational Theological Center. October 6, 2007, Jessica was ordained an

Itinerant Deacon in the North Alabama Annual Conference under Bishop T. Larry Kirkland. During

seminary, Jessica maintained the Honors and Deans List, served as President of the Junior Class,

Recording Secretary for the Turner Student Fellowship and the Student Christian League during her second year. She was the recipient of the following Scholastic awards: John A. Middleton Scholarship, Samuel Hopkins Giles Award and the E.D. Curry Award. During her senior year, Jessica became the newly elected 2008-2009 President of the Turner Student Fellowship of the Turner Theological Seminary (AME Denomination) and a member of the Turner Theological Seminary Board of Trustees. 

            On May 2, 2009, Jessica graduated from Turner Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree and ordained an Itinerant Elder the fall of 2009. God has blessed her to minister throughout the state of Georgia, Southern California and Alabama.

            In November of 2009, Bishop James L. Davis appointed Jessica to serve as Pastor for Saint

Paul and Dulaney A.M.E. Churches in Camden, AL. At the 2011 Planning Session, Jessica was

promoted to the Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church family in Selma, AL. All God needed was one year to

further groom Jessica for yet another Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church located in Montevallo, AL. She

began serving in Montevallo on November 10, 2012. During her time in Montevallo, the ministry

expanded and God was glorified! Under her leadership, debts were cleared, Souls were Saved, and bodies were healed. The church and parsonage went through several major renovations inclusive of new roofs on both buildings and completely paid off. On October 12, 2014, Pastor Durr was awarded the 2014 Female Pastor of the Year for Shelby County.

           On June 25, 2017, Bishop Harry L. Seawright promoted Pastor Boanerges to Metropolitan

A.M.E. Church in Mobile, AL. Pastor Boanerges has served in the Southwest Conference as the

Board of Examiner Secretary, the Women in Ministry Coordinator and the 9 th Episcopal District

Christian Recorder Liaison. Pastor Boanerges was recently featured in the Mobile Bay Magazine for her leadership and ministry impacting the church and the city of Mobile.

          On April 2, 2022, Bishop Harry L. Seawright promoted Pastor Boanerges to Jones Chapel

A.M.E. Church in Fairfield, AL. Pastor Durr is happily married to Bro. Jacob and they have one son

Israel. Affectionately known as Pastor Jessica, she has a love and compassion for all of God’s

people! Pastor Jessica’s focus is Souls Saved and Lives Changed through the Word and Spirit of God for they truly Work Together!