Dr. Ralph Preston Peay is a distinguished ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, known for his powerful preaching, unwavering dedication to evangelism, and lifelong commitment to service. With a ministry spanning several decades, Dr. Peay has served in key leadership roles including Pastor-Evangelist, Youth Ministries Director, and President of the South Atlantic Conference.
Throughout his ministry, Dr. Peay has planted congregations, led impactful revivals in communities such as Eads and Brownsville, Tennessee, and pastored several churches, including the Atlanta Boulevard Seventh-day Adventist Church. He currently serves as the Assistant to the President and Liaison for Senior Affairs in the South Atlantic Conference and is the Senior Pastor of Hope Tabernacle Seventh-day Adventist Church in Snellville, Georgia. In every setting, he inspires his members to dedicate their time and talents to the eternal mission of winning souls for Christ.
Pastor Peay is also a passionate community advocate. He played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement, chairing strategy sessions for the desegregation of Chattanooga’s public schools, department stores, and transportation terminals. He also served as President of the Concerned Black Clergy of Metropolitan Atlanta, leading efforts to support the homeless, hungry, and underserved across the city.
His academic accomplishments include:
- B.A. in Religion/History from Oakwood University
- M.A. in Religion from Andrews University
- M.A. in Christian Education from Scarritt College
- Postgraduate studies in Religious Education at New York University
- Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University
- Doctor of Ministry from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University
- Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Gulf Coast Seminary
Dr. Peay has received numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council at Oakwood University. An avid reader and writer, he has preached and taught across the globe—on every continent except Australia.
His guiding philosophy is simple yet profound: “Do the right thing for the right reason.”