Rev. Dr. Tara Gay is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Presently, she serves at Faith United Methodist Church in Trenton, MI as the senior pastor. She preaches the word of God each Sunday and teaches about the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Pastor Gay believes in making disciples for the transformation of the world.

In her ministerial life, she has served as a District Superintendent of the Crossroads district and in various cross-racial, cross cultural churches as pastor. She enjoys working in the community, creating a vision and mission for the church and being around the youth. During her pastoral life she went to Israel and is hosting a trip to Greece in August 2024 which is Paul’s Missionary Journeys. She loves working with all the members of the congregation to help the kingdom of God to be experienced on this earth. One of the talents she has been given is teaching the word of God to the people of God.

She is the Vice President of Sacred Sisters, the chairperson of Michigan Conference Nominations Committee and the Chairperson of Black Clergy for the Michigan Conference. Pastor Gay has taught at Indiana Wesleyan Seminary, Ecumenical Theological Seminary and Payne Theological Seminary. She specializes in spiritual formation and leadership. Dr. Gay has led workshops and seminars that have challenged both clergy and laypersons to be more effective in missions and ministry. During her years in seminary, she served in the United States Air Force as a Chaplain Candidate for Lowry Air Force Base in Colorado and Scott Air Force Bases in Illinois respectively.

Over the years, Dr. Gay has attended General and Jurisdictional Conferences as a delegate. She was a member of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women for 8 years. Also, she chaired the Conference Board of Church and Society. She is also a trained Life Coach.

Her spiritual practices include prayer, fasting, meditation, and worship which helps to strengthen her faith in God. In addition, she has led several prayer workshops and consistently does personal devotions and prayer time with colleagues on a weekly basis. She is a faithful servant of God, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for over 37 years.

Dr. Gay is married to Bryon Gay. She has four children: Christopher, Luke, Zane and Jake. She also has six grandchildren.