Anthony McCullum, a native of Petal, has been pastor at the Piney Grove Baptist Church for 20 years. He was recently honored as Champion of the Year by the Petal Education Foundation for his years of service to his community and to the Petal School District. He has been married for 32 years to his high school sweetheart, Tonya, and they have three children, Ashley, Matthew and Michael. They also have three grandchildren.
What is your idea of happiness?
Spending quality time with my wife and family.
What is your greatest fear?
No fear (“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind,” 2 Timothy 1:7).
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Procrastinating.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Lack of knowledge.
What do you hate the most?
No hate.
What is your most prized possession?
My family.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I could play the piano and sing.
What do you most value in friends?
Truth.
What is your favorite quality in a woman?
Honesty and purity.
What is your favorite quality in a man?
Commitment to God and family.
What is your idea of misery?
Not experiencing the presence of God.
Who is your favorite fictional hero?
Black Panther.
Who are your heroes in real life?
Jesus Christ.
What was the worst day of your life?
The day my father passed.
What was the happiest day of your life?
Meeting Christ and being saved on April 19, 1979.
What is one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I can be extremely shy.
How would you like to die?
Peacefully.
What is your greatest regret?
I wish I had made earlier investments into real estate and business deals.
If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
My father.
What words would people use to describe you?
“Nice guy,” “dedicated,” “committed’ and “loving.”
What is your motto?
My lifelong motto is IADOM: It all
depends on me.
What is your present state of mind?
Always joyful.
Who is your favorite author?
Myles Munroe, a Bahamian envangelist and professor.
Besides the Pine Belt, where is your favorite place to be?
A cabin in the Smokey Mountains.
What would you eat for your last meal?
Blackened red fish with seafood stuffing topped with Creole sauce.
