Meet The Pastor

Rev. Dr. Paul Sellars Atlas was born in Hempstead, NY, where he was nurtured in the faith at Jackson Memorial AME Zion Church. His family later relocated to Asheboro, NC, where he graduated from Eastern Randolph High School in Ramseur, NC.

 

In 1986, Rev. Atlas earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. He later returned to St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, where he graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Music/Math Education. In 2011, he obtained his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School in Durham, NC, and in 2019, he earned his Doctor of Ministry from Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, NC.

 

Rev. Atlas received his first pastoral appointment at the 128th Session of the Central NC Annual Conference, where he was appointed by Bishop Richard K. Thompson. He served as pastor of Allen Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Franklinton, NC, from 2007 to 2011. Afterward, he served at Oak Grove AME Zion Church in Erwin, NC (2011-13), Bethel AME Zion Church in Spring Lake, NC (2013-17), Kyles Temple AME Zion Church in Vallejo, CA (2017-18), and Centennial AME Zion Church in Bear Creek, NC (2018-19). Rev. Atlas was appointed to the Rush Metropolitan AME Zion Church in November 2023, and under his leadership, in 2024, Amanah AME Zion and Rush Metropolitan were merged, forming the Amanah Rush AME Zion Church. He is currently the pastor of the newly merged Amanah Rush AME Zion Church in Raleigh, NC.

 

Rev. Atlas has been married to his wife, Rev. Shellena Jackson Atlas, an ordained elder in the AME Zion Church and a graduate of North Carolina State University, since 1997. Although they do not have biological children, the Atlases have profoundly impacted many lives through their lifelong ministry to youth and children in the various churches and schools they’ve served.