Makenzie McDaniel was born and raised in DeKalb County.  He is a 2003 graduate of Chamblee High School.  Upon graduating from high school, Mr. McDaniel honorably served 12 years in the Army Reserve achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his time in the Armed Forces, Mr. McDaniel deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.  While serving in the military, Mr. McDaniel served as a DeKalb County police officer for 8 years achieving the rank of Master Police Officer.  Ordained in 2005 as an Elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Pastor McDaniel served at the Trinity CME Church in Gainesville, GA and as of 2024 serves as Lead Pastor of Israel Temple CME Church in Jackson, GA.   

In seeking further public service to his community, Pastor McDaniel was elected to the Board of Education in 2021 and currently serves as the Vice Chair to increase community engagement and awareness, be a voice for the silenced, a catalyst of positive change and increase accountability and engagement.  Pastor McDaniel’s favorite quote and guiding principle in serving his community is that of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”.

Pastor McDaniel is the proud and humble husband to Mrs. McDaniel and together they have four children. He has earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix. Pastor McDaniel is also a member of the University of Phoenix, National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi Chapter.

Previous church assignments:

Divine Ministries of Faith, East Point, GA – Assistant to the Pastor

Raise Bridge CME Church, Waynesboro, GA

Mulberry CME Church, Lincolnton, GA

Butler Street CME Church, Atlanta, GA – Assistant to the Pastor

Trinity CME Church, Gainesville, GA