Jay Carney

James (Jay) E. Carney II was born in Morehouse Parish, in Bastrop, Louisiana, on March 19, 1971. His dad, James E. Carney, did not go into ministry until he was about 38. Jay was not raised in a preacher’s home, but he was raised to love ministry.

At the age of sixteen, his father accepted the pastorate at Woodlawn Church in Columbia, Mississippi. Jay’s mom and dad moved to Columbia when he was three. He grew up in and around the church, always loving the church and the things of God. Jay spent summers going to youth camp at the Mississippi District Campground and received the Holy Ghost at nine years of age. At the age of sixteen, Jay had another deeper spiritual encounter with God, where he truly understood God for himself. He knew God’s hand was on his life and he dedicated himself in service for the Lord. Jay began to participate in Bible Quizzing and ministering to the youth when given the opportunity. Jay also began to serve as a Sunday school teacher and in the youth department at his local church.

Jay graduated from Columbia High School in 1989. Following high school, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and Technology in 1992. Jay earned his Master of Business Administration in 1999.

Jay married Demetra Gayle Wallace in 1991. Demetra is the daughter of Leo and Mary Wallace from Poplarville, Mississippi. The couple is blessed with three children, Jayda, Jayce, and Juliana. Jay began working for T.L. Wallace Construction full time in 1992 and continued there until 2015. While working, he was always involved with the church, assisting the ministry team and overseeing the discipleship classes.

After years of project management experience, Jay was promoted to Vice President of T.L. Wallace while still leading estimation and business development efforts. In 2005, the board appointed Jay as President of the company. He led the successful diversification of the corporate business model by transitioning from a horizontal construction firm to a full-service construction firm. Jay worked in the construction industry from laborer to corporate executive and has the experience of 37 years and over $1.5 Billion plus in work.

After leaving Wallace in 2015, he founded C-Cubed LLC. C-Cubed helps people from concept to completion in church construction projects. Jay worked with the John Maxwell Leadership Foundation to conduct aid and training to faith, political, government, education, and community leaders globally.

Throughout these years, Jay and his wife ministered throughout the United States and internationally, along with conducting leadership training and marriage enrichment seminars. Jay has served and continues to serve on various boards, including New Beginnings Adoption Services, Urshan Graduate School of Theology, and presently serves as the Men’s Director for the Mississippi District UPCI.

Jay became pastor of the First Pentecostal Church of Tupelo in 2017. They have had tremendous growth and have had to go to multiple services. Jay strives to be a God connector and to minister to those around him any way he can.