Pastor Grady l. Caldwell
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Pastor Grady L. Caldwell
Born in Albany, Georgia, in 1949, Grady Caldwell completed his public education at Albany High School in 1967. He is the central focus of a book published about Albany, integration and sports during that era, “Made or Broken” by Bill Lightle. He is the
co-author of a book written about him, “To Dance With the Devil’s Daughter, God’s Restoration of the Rev. Grady Caldwell.”
In his second year at Albany State College (University), he married his childhood sweetheart, Kathleen Jones Caldwell, which began their fifty-six years of marriage before her transition in February 2025. They have four children and three grandchildren.
Upon completion of Albany State University with a degree in Business Administration, Grady began a 30+ year professional career.
He grew up in Mount Zion Baptist Church, Albany, where he now submits to the authority of Dr. Daniel Simmons as his pastor and father in the ministry. Through life’s experiences, including chemical dependency and all its negative consequences, Rev. Caldwell developed a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and accepted his God-ordained purpose to teach and preach the Word of God in 1991 at New Covenant Church, Albany, Georgia.
Pastor Caldwell was ordained by Zion Baptist Church, Hampton, Georgia, in 2003, where he served as Assistant Pastor. His emphasis is on teaching others how to apply the Word of God, and the principles of Jesus Christ to their everyday lives. He has completed his Associate, Bachelor, and Master of Theology degrees from Christian Life School of Theology, Beacon University in December 2007.
After seeking God, Grady and Kathleen agreed to serve God in the Griffin, Ga. area by planting New Mercy Baptist Church where he recently retired as the founding pastor. As a member of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, Rev. Caldwell has served the convention in several capacities to include: The Board of Trustees of the Georgia Baptist Health Care Ministry Foundation where he served as Chairman; He also served as the 3 rd Vice-President of the Georgia Baptist Convention. Pastor Emeritus Caldwell is actively involved in several other religious and community activities in the Griffin, GA area; and he is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Today Pastor Caldwell serves as the Coordinator for the Spalding County Reentry Program to provide services for those returning citizens coming out of prison back to the Griffin/Spalding County community.