Jeremy Shoulta
October 11, 1983 – April 12, 2026
By Rev. Wendy Joyner Peacock
Editor’s Note: Jeremy Shoulta grew up in Kentucky and earned degrees from Georgetown College, Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, and Gardner-Webb University. He pastored several churches before his final call as senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Gainesville, Georgia. Jeremy was the son of Bill and Jill; brother to Joshua and Molly; husband to Valarie; and dad to Maggie and Macy. He was a friend to many in the Good Faith Media community. He died on April 12, 2026, after a courageous battle with lymphoma. The following is an excerpt from a eulogy given by the Rev. Wendy Jonyer Peacock. It has been lightly edited for the written word.
Rev. Wendy Joyner Peacock
If Jeremy had one goal in life, that goal was to point people toward God. I have so many wonderful memories of Jeremy as a colleague in ministry. We spent many, many hours talking over cups of coffee at Café Campesina. There was never an empty or awkward silence when you were with Jeremy.
He had a sharp intellect, and he was a voracious reader. He had a vision for God’s kingdom and for what the church could be in the world, and his desire was always to embody the values of love, kindness, and justice. Jeremy worked to bring people together to build the churches he served into communities of Jesus-followers that could make a difference in a world that was hurting and broken, extending love and grace to those who need it most.
Jeremy was a gifted preacher and teacher. He had that raw talent early in his career, but Jeremy worked at preaching as a craft. He became masterful in the pulpit and conveyed the nuance and truth of Scripture in powerful and life-changing ways.
His authenticity was a hallmark of his leadership style. He sought to work with fellow staff members and community ministers as a team. There was no hierarchy; everyone was always working toward the same goal. If you needed advice or help, Jeremy was the one you went to for encouragement or wise counsel. He led churches through challenging times with a non-anxious presence and with a clear focus on listening for the voice of God as the church moved forward.
Jeremy was unique in his leadership. He didn’t desire power, prestige, or status; he always exemplified humility and grace. Whether you were a former U.S. president or just a regular working man or woman, Jeremy reached out to you as a partner in building God’s kingdom.
Jeremy Shoulta was indeed a good and faithful servant. He didn’t want to go; there was so much more that he wanted to do, so much more life he had hoped to live. Yet he fought his illness with courage, grace, and a deep resolve. His untimely death leaves us all with so many questions, so much sadness, and even perhaps so much anger. And yet those questions, those doubts, the sadness, and even the anger are all OK. God can handle all of that.
I invite you to remember the gift of Jeremy’s life and the God he served, who entrusted us with him for 42 years. Keep looking for the light of resurrection, even in the midst of darkness, and keep lifting your cries to God, who is our help and our peace in times of trouble.
Rev. Wendy Joyner Peacock is Pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Americus, Georgia.
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