Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin is the Lead Pastor of Inglewood First UMC and is an Ordained Elder in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church. Through teaching, preaching, living, and learning, Pastor Victor has a passion for ministry that crosses racial, gender and generational boundaries as we follow Jesus toward wholeness, reconciliation and justice.
A native of Nashville, TN, Pastor Victor is the son of a retired public school teacher and a United Methodist clergywoman. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Tennessee State University with a major in English and a minor in Philosophy and Religious Studies and went on to earn the Master of Divinity degree from Gammon Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, GA. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Social Transformation from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL.
He formerly served as Assistant Pastor of East Point First Mallalieu UMC, a multiracial congregation in metropolitan Atlanta, GA, Advocacy Organizer for the General Commission on Religion and Race of the United Methodist Church (Washington, DC) and Associate Pastor of Holman UMC in Los Angeles, CA. Among his experience in the wider church and community, Pastor Victor has served as Chair of the California-Pacific Conference chapter of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the Digital Strategy Panel for the United Methodist Publishing House, is Co-Chair of the Design Team for the Convocation for Pastors of Black Churches and on the Multi-Faith Strategy Development Team for L.A. Voice, a multi-racial community organizing coalition in Los Angeles County.
His spouse, Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin, is Kentucky born and California raised and is an ordained minister of word and sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA). They met in seminary at the ITC and are the proud parents of two beautiful children. He loves reading, live music, funky sneakers and spending quality time with his family.
