Rev.  R. Girard Dixon is the son of the late Henry Mack Dixon & the late Joyce Porter.  He is the husband to Audrea, and the father to Girard Jr.

Prior to his current charge, Rev. Dixon served faithfully on the ministerial staff of St. Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bradenton under the leadership of Rev. Edward Barthell, who serves as pastor.   He has served as the pastor of Greene Chapel AME Church, Largo, and is currently the PROUD Pastor of St. Andrews AME Church Palmetto.  During his faith walk he has served on the Steward Board, as a New Members Teacher, Bible study teacher, Church School teacher and Sons of Allen coordinator.  He is an ordained Itinerate Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Rev. Dixon is the product of Manatee county school system.  After graduating from Manatee High School, he continued his educational pursuits by earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Eckerd College.  He holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University as well as a Master of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary.

Rev. Girard began his professional career working for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice from 1989 – 2005.   During this time at the detention center, he worked as a Master Instructor, Shift Commander, and Training Coordinator.

In 2006, Rev. Girard made a career change and started working for the School District of Manatee County – Sara Scott Harllee Middle School, as a Drop-Out Prevention Teacher. He has also served as Dean of Students at Bayshore High School, Electa Lee Middle School, and currently at Braden River Middle School all are located in Bradenton

Rev. Dixon is very active in the community, and his past and present community involvement includes:       

·         Masonic:  Worshipful Master 1999-2009 Pride of Bradenton Masonic Lodge #490 and currently District Deputy Grand Master for Manatee, Sarasota, Desoto, and Lee counties

·         Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.

·         American Red Cross Disaster Volunteer and Health Services Instructor

·         Boys Scouts of America Charter Organization Representative

·         Coach of North Manatee Storm Youth and Palmetto Youth Center Football Youth Football Organizations

·         Florida Crime and Delinquency Council Volunteer

Lastly, Rev. Girard is led by the Holy Spirit and follows the will of Soverign God, through His son Jesus Christ.  He is a lover of all people, he loves his church at all levels, but more importantly he is a true servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.