The Rev. Dr. John Gillison grew up in a loving, nurturing family, with many pastors, including his father. As a boy he would come home from church and imitate his father in a creative worship service with young cousins and friends. Adults frequently called him "little Rev."

Rev. Gillison received his bachelor degree from Allen University and his Master of Divinity degree from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He also studied at Emory University and the University of South Carolina. Allen University honored him with the D.D. degree in 1975.

Vocationally he has taught in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Allen University and in the School of Religion at Morris College. He has also served a number of parishes in SC, including Mother Emmanuel in Charleston from 1988 to 1996.

In 1978, Rev. Gillison was elected president of the Christian Action Council for South Carolina, making him the first African-American to fill this position. He also served on the General Board of the National Council of Churches (USA) and was a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. From 1996 to 2014, he served as Presiding Elder of the Edisto District of the AME.

Rev. Gillison has been very active in the Civil Rights Movement of our nation. One of his greatest inspirations was the opportunity to visit with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his home in Atlanta.

Rev. Gillison and his wife of 46 years have two daughters, two grandsons, and one son-in-law. He is now retired, after fifty-six years of active ministry.