Reverend Rodney S. Shamery was born in Aliceville, Al. where he graduated from Aliceville High School.  After graduation he chose to attend Alabama A&M University in Normal, Al where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology.  He has also studied at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and is a graduate of Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity where he obtained a Master’s of Divinity with a concentration in pastoral counseling.

Prior to accepting his call to ordained ministry, Rev. Shamery enjoyed a productive professional career with General Electric. During his tenure with GE he held positions as a Mechanical and Controls Field Engineer in the Inspection and Field Services division, where he worked on gas turbine power plant installation and maintenance outage projects throughout the Southeastern region of the United States;  Contract Performance Manager in the GE Contractual Services division, where he managed three long-term service agreements for which GE provides maintenance services for gas turbine power plants; and Senior Process Leader, where he lead the design of an application and implementation of a global process that continuously monitor contract profitability.

Since his calling to ministry his focus has been on youth empowerment, the unification of the Christian church and the community and the mental and spiritual care of humanity. He has lead mission trips, worked as a youth pastor, lead summer enrichment camps and co-lead the development of initiatives focused on changing plight of young African American men.

Prior to being appointed to St. Paul UMC in 2020, Rev. Shamery served five years as Senior Pastor of Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Aliceville, Alabama, while working professionally for one year as a High School Science Teacher at Aliceville High School and two years as the Job Placement Coordinator for the Fatherhood Program administered through the Pickens County Family Resource Center.  In 2018, Rev. Shamery became focused on the creation and sustainability of Infinite Chances Ministry. Infinite Chances is faith-based non-profit that works to strengthen rural communities by way of empowerment, facilitating unification and making Disciples of Jesus Christ.

In June of this year Rev. Shamery assumed the responsibility of the Director of Multicultural Ministry for the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, where he works to provide Ethnic minority churches with the training and resources they need to make disciples for the transformation of the world.

He is happily married to his wife of 23 years, Wende. To this union they have been blessed with one beautiful daughter, Adrian and a two precious Goddaughters Charlize Rose and Jaliyah.