Rev. Jerome Grotts is a product of God's amazing grace and work within the Christian community. Born in Rogers and baptized at First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge, he has deep roots in Northwest Arkansas. As a child, he grew up in the Pea Ridge and Garfield communities where several family members still live. After graduating from Rogers High School, Jerome attended college at Columbia Southern University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. He continued his education with graduate-level studies at Harding University, obtaining Master of Arts and Master of Educational Leadership degrees, as well as completion of a course of study program in special education. Jerome has also had additional studies toward a doctorate degree from Trevecca Nazarene University.
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His secular experience includes more than fifteen years in the occupational safety field with time spent in light consumer-package goods manufacturing, heavy equipment manufacturing, and food products (dairy) manufacturing. In 2013, he began his career as an educator in the Rogers (Arkansas) Public Schools, where he currently serves as a special education teacher at Greer Lingle Middle School.

Prior to his appointment to Pea Ridge, Jerome has served in a number of Arkansas, California, and Florida churches and para-church ministries in a variety of capacities as both clergy and in lay ministry. His experience includes serving as a law enforcement and emergency services chaplain, worship minister, youth minister, and intentional interim pastor. He has a great interest in serving the under-privileged population of our community and is a strong believer in the power of the United Methodist Church's connection to be able to fulfill that mission. 

Jerome and his wife, Vickie, are the parents of four children: Ciera- a Abbott Pharmaceutical manager, Morris- who works for Walmart Home Office, Desirae- a benefits analyst for One Digital, and Dexter- a freshman athlete at Rogers High School. Ciera and Morris make them the grandparents of seven (5 girls and 2 boys). The family enjoys traveling (domestically and internationally) and experiencing new cuisine. Vickie is an accountant and currently serves as Vice President for Accounting and Finance at the Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce.