Dr. James I. Walker, Senior Pastor
jwalker@fbca.com
I grew up as a Pastor’s son, so the church has almost always been an important part of my life. God’s call on my life to the ministry came while I was a student at Palm Beach Atlantic University. I’ve had the privilege of pastoring several churches, one of them Biltmore Baptist Church, where I served for 14 years. I was then asked to serve as CEO of the Haggai Leadership Training Institute here in Atlanta and one year later felt a strong call to return to the pastorate. It was then that God opened doors for me and my family to serve here at Alpharetta First Baptist.
My beautiful wife, Debbie, and I have been married since 1989. We have four absolutely wonderful kids, Amy, Ian, Jamie, and Emma, whom I love with all my heart!
My passion for our church is that we would make a huge difference right here in Alpharetta by reaching out and ministering to the needs of people not only within our church family, but also to those beyond the walls of our campus. My desire is that Alpharetta First Baptist would play an active role in our community and then reach out to the world as God opens opportunities.
The Staff of Alpharetta First Baptist
Dave Gunter, Executive Pastor
dgunter@fbca.com
My wife, Jean, and I believe that serving at Alpharetta First Baptist is the answer to a persistent call from the Lord to use our gifts in a local church setting - a calling that has culminated in an opportunity to serve my church family in this executive leadership role.
Prior to the call for full-time ministry, I enjoyed a successful career in the financial industry holding positions at the executive level, most recently as Chief Financial Officer for a major corporation. I earned a Business Administration degree from Concord University and completed my Masters in Professional Accountancy at West Virginia University.
The church, and my desire to share the Word of God, have been priorities throughout my lifetime. I have led bible studies for over two decades, even during my college years. I have also served as a Deacon at Alpharetta First Baptist, and at previous churches where my family and I have been members. My love for personal evangelism led me to seek an Evangelism Explosion certification. I have served on the personnel committee of this church, as well as chairman of the finance committee in a previous church.
Jean and I have been married for 29 years. We have two young adult children, Christina and Jon, both of whom graduated from the University of Georgia. In addition to my passion for God's Word, I have a love of music and enjoy playing piano and several stringed instruments, including bass and banjo.
Jonathan Wilson, Equipping Pastor
jwilson@fbca.com
I grew up in a pastor's family, moving around quite a bit from Texas to Wyoming, West Virginia to Virginia. I spent my high school (Appomattox) and college (Liberty University) days in Virginia. While on a mission trip to South Korea during my college years, I felt called to full time ministry. Upon returning from that trip, I served for several years as a youth minister in local churches. My major at LU was Broadcast Journalism, and I worked at WSET/ABC-TV in Lynchburg-Roanoke as a news assignment editor and sports reporter. It was a conversation with the station's chief meteorologist that convinced me I needed to take God's call to ministry seriously and commit to attend seminary.
So in 1995, I loaded up my Ford Ranger and headed to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The next two years I worked at KTVT/CBS-TV and pursued a Master of Art's Degree in Religious Education while also serving as a youth intern. I graduated in May of 1997, then served as Minister of Students at Salem Baptist Church in McDonough GA. Kimberly and I married in July of that year.
In May of 2002, Team Wilson moved to the north side of Atlanta after I accepted a role at the North American Mission Board. I worked with World Changers and PowerPlant for nine years. Kimberly and I have been members of Alpharetta First Baptist since 2002, serving as Connect Group Leaders, as a Deacon, and 3 stints as Interim Minister of Students. Kimberly is the Media Specialist for Alpharetta Christian Academy. We have one daughter, Laini. We enjoy hiking, traveling, and cheering on the Virginia Tech Hokies (well, at least I do).
Kraig Kelsey, Pastor of Member Involvement
kkelsey@fbca.com
My home town is Independence, Missouri where I graduated from a small Christian school. Then, made my way to Bolivar, Missouri where I graduated with a Religious Education degree from Southwest Baptist University. I met my wife Missy, the first day of college at my freshman orientation. It was love at first site. We have been married over 25 years.
I served as youth minister for 10 years in Northwest Arkansas, then was the Director of Operations at ReCreation Adventure, an outreach ministry in Oklahoma City, OK for 6 years, then served over 10 years as the Executive Director of PLACE Ministries, a non-profit resource ministry for churches seeking to help people find their place in life and ministry.
July 2011 I became the Pastor of Member Involvement at Alpharetta First Baptist. I oversee church assimilation, events, First Impression Ministry and Senior Adults. I led from passion and thru people's giftedness to accomplish the Lord's work. I wholeheartedly believe, you find your life as you give it away, Matthew 16:25. Missy and I have 3 sons, Koby, Klay and Kyler. Our family is dedicated to serving Christ and others! We enjoy being entertained, walking, soccer and fellowship with friends.
Ryan Gernand, Children's Pastor
rgernand@fbca.com
I was born and raised in Texas. I now have a wife, Brittany, a baby boy, Grayson, a dog named Cooper and this is our first big move out of Texas! We have been married since July 2007.
I earned my BBA in Business Administration and Management from Houston Baptist University. I started in ministry fairly early as a freshman in high school leading worship at Capstone Church, the church my family started in El Paso, TX. In 2003, I was called to be the Elementary Pastor at River Pointe Church in Richmond, TX. Then in 2007 I served as the Children’s Pastor at Woodlands Church East Campus in Humble, TX.
We moved to Alpharetta, GA in December 2009, following God’s call to be the Children’s Pastor here at Alpharetta First Baptist. I have a passion for Children’s Ministry and an excitement for things to come at Alpharetta First Baptist and the kids we have the opportunity to reach!
Justin Holcomb, Student Pastor
jholcomb@fbca.com
I grew up in the 'huge' city of Vidalia, GA where my dad was very active in the student ministry at our local church. So for me going on youth trips began at an early age! My family also had a ministry called "Going Home Family Ministries," which allowed us to travel across four states singing and leading churches in family based weekend seminars.
While in high school I recognized my call to the ministry, and soon after rushed to Toccoa Falls College to pursue that call. I graduated with a degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication, and minors in Bible and Student Ministry. While a senior at Toccoa, I took my first staff position at Clear Springs Baptist Church in Alpharetta, GA, as the Student and Recreation Pastor. After graduating, I married my beautiful wife Lisa, and moved to Alpharetta (2001-2004).
I was then called to serve at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church in Norcross, GA as an associate Student Minister of Discipleship. During this time, I feel God positioned me to launch into some great things in student ministry and we moved to FBC Conroe TX where I served as the Student Pastor (2005-2009). While at FBC Conroe, some significant things happened in my life outside of ministry. I became a dad and was able to pursue my masters degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
To be honest, I never thought God would call me and my family back to the area my ministry first began, but here we are and we couldn't be more excited! My wife Lisa and I have been married since 2002 and have two amazing girls Addyson and Riley, and a wonderful new baby boy, Brady. I have a true passion to see students come to know the Lord and then live out a walking/talking relationship with Him so that they can truly see how amazing the God we serve is!
Taylor Teel, Student Ministry Associate
tteel@fbca.com
Prior to coming to FBCA, I attended Auburn University from 2000-2004 where I achieved a B.A. in Psychology and then worked in sales with football teams across the nation for six years.
Being the child in a military family, I've lived in many different places growing up but have always been active in ministry wherever I was, whether through teaching a Sunday School class, leading college Bible Studies, or teaching youth on Wednesday nights.
My passion for students and ministry led me to being called full time at FBCA April 2011 for the specific role of serving the Middle School Students. I'm also currently acquiring a M.A. of Christian Leadership from Liberty University and have been married to Tamara for seven years. We have three children, Tristan (5), Tucker (3) , and Tanner (1).