Dr. Rodney Kelley, Pastor
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In 1969, at the young age of 5, our pastor trusted Christ as his personal Saviour. At the age of 15, on July 25, 1979, he surrendered to the ministry and knew that he would someday be a pastor. After working his way through a Christian school, he attended Bible college. He returned to the Glen Iris Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, to be trained and intern with Dr. Jack LeGrand. In 1992, after serving on staff at two churches and as a pastor of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, he came to Jacksonville upon the invitation of the church and Dr. W. A. McMillan. He continued his education over the years, receiving his PhD in Biblical Studies in 2007. Pastor Kelley is actively involved in works both here at home and in various countries. He aids in survey trips and Bible institutes, as well as organizing missions trips for himself and our congregation. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Baptist International Missions, Inc. and is on the advisory board of (B.E.A.M.S.) Bible Education and Missionary Services. Pastor Kelley and his wife, Joy, met in Birmingham, Alabama. God has blessed them greatly, and they have been married since 1984. They have two children, Tiffany and R. J. Tiffany graduated from a Christian college and continued to serve the Lord in our ministry while also teaching at a local Christian school. During that time, God sent Bryce Bowers to Jacksonville for training, as he is a pilot in the U. S. Navy. They were married in August of 2015, and in July of 2017, the Lord blessed their home with their daughter, Audrey and in May of 2019, Claire joined the family. While attending a Christian college, R. J. joined our staff in a part time capacity. He graduated from a Christian college and today he serves as a full time staff member of the church. God allowed R. J. to find God's plan for his life, his wife, right in our church. Erin is one of our deacon's daughters, and in May of 2016 they were married. |
John Sawyer, Associate Pastor
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Bro. John Sawyer was reared in a pastor's home. He served under Dr. Harold Sightler in Greenville, South Carolina. In 1991 he graduated from Tabernacle Baptist Colletge as he completed a Bachelor of Theology degree. After being a pastor for many years, he joined our staff in 2010. As the associate pastor, he assist the pastor with the many administrative duties of the church and the training of workers. Along with associate pastor duties, he directs our Sunday School, discipleship, and outreach ministries. He and his wife, Cathy, were married in 1990. Their son, John Robert, is a talented guitarist and served in our music ministry until he departed to serve in the United States Marine Corps. After completing Boot Camp at Paris Island, South Carolina, John Robert and his wife Alexis were married in 2017. They blessed the Sawyers with a beautiful granddaughter, Annie Mae. |
Tommy Young, Minister of Music
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Bro. Tommy Young first came to WJBC in 1995. He served 22 years faithfully building a vibrant music ministry. He led the ministry in the most important task of weekly worship, and also developed dramas and other music events. He also developed music schools that blessed not only our church, but other churches in our area and across the nation. In May, 2017, Bro. Young retired from our ministry and began a part time role at a great church in Mt. Airy, NC, Temple Baptist Church. In January, 2019 he returned to our church to serve as the Minister of Music. We are thrilled to have him back on our staff. Bro. Young grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and had the example of great godly parents. He began serving in the ministry in 1976 and served in churches in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. He met his wife, Darrah, in 1972 and they were married on April 20, 1974. God blessed them with 4 sons who are all serving the Lord in various churches. Ryan serves as one of our bookkeepers. Scott, is the pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tennessee. Andrew and Jonathan serve faithfully in the church where they attend. Bro. Tommy and Darrah also love and enjoy their 7 grandchildren. |
Norman Gay, Assistant Minister of Music and PrimeTime
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Bro. Norman came to the church in 2012 and has served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. In 2017 he became the director of our senior ministry, PrimeTime. At the beginning of 2018, he accepted the position to serve on our staff as the Minister of Music. In 2019, he moved to the position of Assistant Minister of Music and continues his great work in our PrimeTime Ministry. Before coming to WJBC, he served as minister of music for 15 years at another church. Norman grew up around gospel music and traveled with several regional Southern Gospel groups. He met his wife, Annette, while singing at her church in Kenansville, FL. They were married in 1983. They have been blessed with two daughters, Christyn and Amanda. Christyn and her husband, Talian Ross, are serving the Lord in their local church and in various other ministries in Cleveland, TN. Amanda also serves in music ministry in her local church as well as other churches. Norman and Annette are faithful to serve the Lord together and are a proven blessing to our church. |
R. J. Kelley, Student Ministries and WJGM
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Bro. RJ has been at WJBC since he was three years old. After high school, he entered Christian college. While studying, he began working in the radio ministry on a part time basis. His hard work and efforts have been vital in the building of the radio ministry. In 2010, he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Church Ministries. After graduation, he accepted the full time position in our children's ministry and continued the radio work. Today, he directs our student ministries, which includes both youth and children. He has a heart for the young people and a desire to teach them the clear Truth of God's Word and Doctrine. He also continues to manage the ministry of our church radio station, WJGM (105.7 FM, the Gospel) Bro. R. J. met his wife in the ministry here, He and Erin were married in 2016. |
Justin Watts, Property and Assistant to the Pastor
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God has blessed our church. We have faithful deacons and other leadership that are joyful about serving the Lord together. The goal of Pastor Kelley and the staff is to see the church advance for God's purposes and glory.