D. E. Paulk is the Senior Pastor of Spirit and Truth Sanctuary in Atlanta, GA. where he successfully transitioned an Evangelical Charismatic church into a thriving multicultural, interfaith, LGBTQ+ affirming congregation. D. E. holds a Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) in Global Religions from Emory University’s Candler School Of Theology and is widely known as a radically inclusive minister who believes that the Christ Spirit is present in all of creation and cannot bedefined by, nor confined to, Christianity.
“D.E.’s preaching is as easy-going as the church’s approach to differences. No wagging fingers or thunderous revelations. He treats parishioners as fellow companions on a spiritual journey. He sprinkles his conversational sermons with references to everyone from the Buddha to Teddy Pendergrass.” -John Blake, CNN Enterprise writer/producer
“Descended from generations of Southern preachers, Donnie Earl is now a preacher himself, though a different breed.” -Katherine Marsh, Rolling Stone Magazine, from the article Son of a Preacher Man
“Donnie Earl is progressive, young, hip.” -Mara Shalhoup, Creative Loafing, from the article The Young Shepherd
His family founded Chapel Hill Harvester Church (formerly The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit) in 1960. The Paulks have alwaysbeen known for their ministry of restoration. For over 62 years, the Spirit and Truth Sanctuary has opened its doors to peoplefrom every walk of life. This has served as the foundation of who D.E. is today.
D. E. has been the recipient of numerous community, civic and service awards. In 2008, D.E. was inducted into the Morehouse College Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers. In 2009, he was honored by CornerstoneUniversity in Lake Charles, Louisiana with an honorary doctorate degree for his in-depth theological research and writings. In 2010, D. E. began serving as a National Board Member for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (S.C.L.C.), the historic civil rights organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He has authored several books including I DON’T KNOW… THE WAY OF KNOWING, THE HOLY BIBLE OF INCLUSION and his most recent release, FULLY AWAKE (a 100 daydevotional aimed at challenging the mind, channeling power, and changing paradigm). All of D.E.’s books are available for purchase in paperback on Amazon and PayPal and as E-books on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, Google Play and Apple Books.
D.E. Paulk makes his home in suburban Atlanta along with his wife, Brandi, and children, Esther and Micah.
LaDonna Paulk Diaz is a 5th generation pastor who has served in full time ministry for over 40 years at Spirit and TruthSanctuary in Decatur, Georgia. Throughout her adult life LaDonna has worked to provide a wide variety of ministry to the local congregation as well as to the broader community of faith. As a teacher and a writer she has excelled at presenting a healthy balance of spiritual guidance and practical life lessons to our Youth Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Academy and entire Congregation. Her contribution tothe ministry of Worship and the Arts has been a key ingredient to our ministry for decades. And in the area of pulpit ministry,she chooses to allow Spirit to flow to her and through her by honoring the biblical concepts on which she has been raisedwhile also exploring the truths and Christ-like concepts found in other faith paths. She truly has a gift of gathering insight from many sources and presenting a well sculpted message that encourages and equips personal and corporate growth.LaDonna celebrates life as a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend.
