Leon Corder
Senior Pastor
Leon Corder
Leon M. Corder Jr. is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and the second-born son of Linda E. Petway and Leon M. Corder Sr. He answered his call to ministry in August 1996 at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Freddie B. Carpenter Sr.
In January 2001, Pastor Corder founded and served as Senior Pastor of Vine Hill Community Baptist Church, where he faithfully preached and taught for five years. In June 2006, he was called to pastor Swift Tabernacle Baptist Church, where a church merger took place under his leadership. Pastor Corder served the Swift Tabernacle congregation for 15 years through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
In December 2022, he accepted the call to serve as Pastor of Cherry Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where another successful merger led to the present-day church.
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Corder has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community service and restoration. He has served as an Executive Director and Mentor with the Boys & Girls Club of Nashville and Williamson County. His counseling work includes service as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor at the Meharry Elam Center and The Magdalene House, a residential recovery program for women.
For more than 19 years, Pastor Corder has faithfully served as a volunteer chaplain at the Tennessee Prison for Women, ministering to thousands of incarcerated women through preaching, teaching, discipleship, and baptism.
Pastor Corder holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Theology from American Baptist College and a Master’s degree in Psychology/Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Nashville State Community College, Motlow State Community College, and Tennessee State University. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies at United Theological Seminary.
Pastor Corder has been married to his wife, Audrey Rae Corder, for 31 years. She is an educator with Metro Nashville Public Schools. Together, they are the proud parents of their son, Louis Corder, who is musically gifted.
In January 2001, Pastor Corder founded and served as Senior Pastor of Vine Hill Community Baptist Church, where he faithfully preached and taught for five years. In June 2006, he was called to pastor Swift Tabernacle Baptist Church, where a church merger took place under his leadership. Pastor Corder served the Swift Tabernacle congregation for 15 years through preaching, teaching, and pastoral care.
In December 2022, he accepted the call to serve as Pastor of Cherry Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where another successful merger led to the present-day church.
Beyond the pulpit, Pastor Corder has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to community service and restoration. He has served as an Executive Director and Mentor with the Boys & Girls Club of Nashville and Williamson County. His counseling work includes service as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor at the Meharry Elam Center and The Magdalene House, a residential recovery program for women.
For more than 19 years, Pastor Corder has faithfully served as a volunteer chaplain at the Tennessee Prison for Women, ministering to thousands of incarcerated women through preaching, teaching, discipleship, and baptism.
Pastor Corder holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Theology from American Baptist College and a Master’s degree in Psychology/Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Nashville State Community College, Motlow State Community College, and Tennessee State University. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies at United Theological Seminary.
Pastor Corder has been married to his wife, Audrey Rae Corder, for 31 years. She is an educator with Metro Nashville Public Schools. Together, they are the proud parents of their son, Louis Corder, who is musically gifted.
“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and
understanding.” — Jeremiah 3:15 (KJV)
Email
pastorleon@cherrygrovebaptists.org
