Leadership

I entered the ministry full-time after working as a banker for fourteen years. My wife, Judith, has been by my side throughout this journey. God has blessed her with a sensitive heart to the needs of others as well as the gift of teaching. My son, Trey, graduated from Rehobeth High School in 2015 and Auburn University in 2018. He is a basketball coach and teacher in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. My daughter, Emily, graduated from Rehobeth in 2018 and from Auburn University in 2021. She and her husband, Paul Beauchamp, live in Opelika. She is a second grade teacher.  I grew up in Luverne, Alabama. Judith and I both graduated from Auburn University in 1992. We were married in December of that year. We lived in Birmingham for the first several years of our marriage where she worked in public accounting and I worked at Compass Bank. God used my job with the bank to move our family to Dothan in 1998. A few years later, as His plan for us unfolded, we answered His call on my life to preach. We moved back to Birmingham, where I attended Beeson Divinity School. After graduating from Beeson in 2006, we moved to Brantley, Alabama, where I was pastoring the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. I began serving the Memphis Baptist Church family as pastor on March 1, 2009. My life verse is Colossians 3:17, which says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” My heart’s desire is to live this verse – to live a life of thanksgiving for all He has done for me. I have a passion for seeing disciples making disciples! 

What a joy and blessing it is to be serving as Associate Pastor to Senior Adults at Memphis Baptist.  My first Sunday was May 20, 2012 and what an awesome day it was.  I was saved at the young age of eight and at the age of 14 I knew that God had something special for me to do.  I accepted the call into the ministry at age 16 and began my ministry in 1971.  God has truly blessed my life during these fifty plus years of service.  Serving churches in Florida and Alabama, I have been blessed to lead in the capacity of Associate Pastor in Music, Youth, Education, Administration, Senior Adults, & Children and Preschool.
 
I am excited about what God is doing in and through us at Memphis. I have three children: my daughter April and her husband Jeff Kirkland have five children (Trevor, Tyson, Evie, Layla and A.J.). My son Justin and his wife April have two children (Christian and Sunny); and my daughter Hannah and her husband Kirk have two children (Sarah Claire and Sadie Caroline).  I am blessed that all of them are faithfully serving in leadership roles in their respective churches at Logos here in Dothan and at First Baptist Temple in the Atlanta area.  Justin is presently serving as Student Pastor for First Baptist Villa Ricca.  I have also been blessed to see five of my nine grandchildren come to know Jesus and follow Him in believer’s baptism. I was blessed in 2024 with the addition of two more grandchildren by the way of marriage. God is good!

I am blessed to serve here at Memphis Baptist Church where I have been serving since 2015. I grew up in Dothan, Alabama and have been part of the Memphis Family my entire life. I married the love of my life and high school sweetheart in 2015, Carly, and we have three boys: Gabe, Griffin and Graham. I graduated from Rehobeth High School in 2012. I studied at the University of Mobile where I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Theology in 2015.
 
After graduation, God led me back home to Memphis. I continued my education and completed my Masters degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2018.
My life verse is Psalm 115:1, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory because of Your love and faithfulness.” In this ministry, which God has entrusted to me, my goal is to make His name known above all else. May He alone receive the glory in my life.

I am blessed to have served as Student Minister at Memphis Baptist Church since 2010. My wife’s name is Cynthia and she works actively alongside me to serve our students. We have four sons, Jared, Jacob, Gabe, and Michael. Our student group is comprised of seventh through twelfth graders. I would love for your student(s) to be involved in our thriving student ministry. I strive to offer our students opportunities to grow and mature in their walk with the Lord.
 
Our purpose is to fulfill Paul’s words to Timothy in I Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Parent involvement is encouraged and appreciated. I am always here to serve your family. Please feel free to contact me at any time. 

We love being a part of Memphis Baptist Church. We both grew up in Dothan, AL., but attended different churches. We got married in 2014. We joined Memphis in 2016 and were baptized together in 2017. We have two boys, Elijah and Ellis. We are so thankful for God’s goodness and faithfulness. We love serving as the Kid’s directors, where our mission is to see kids cross over from death to life (John 5:24). We are excited to see what God does next!
 
Our life verse is Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will lift you up with my righteous right hand.” This verse is a sweet reminder to us that no matter what God calls us to do, we can trust him.

Hi, my name is Vicki Turner. I am the Financial Secretary and the Pastor’s Ministry Assistant at Memphis Baptist Church. My family and I joined Memphis Baptist in March, 1995 and we really enjoy the fellowship. I was hired as the Financial Secretary in January, 2000. I love the administration aspect of my job, but even more so I enjoy the ministry aspect. I strive to meet the needs of the people at Memphis to the best of my ability, but in truth I am so blessed by a loving congregation and many friends! 
 
On a more personal note, I have been married to David Turner since August, 1979. We have two sons; Deven & his wife Chase, they have five children, Tripp, Ella, Lizzie, Landon, & Cooper; and Keith & his wife, Anna, who have three sons, Parker, Grady & Will. Our social life is centered around our grandchildren’s activities of course. We are very blessed to have them live close to us. 
 
My father was called into the ministry and has pastored a church since I was seven years old. So growing up as a preacher’s daughter taught me a lot about ministering to people and letting one’s self be used by God. Therefore, I truly believe God led me to this position at Memphis Baptist Church, and I pray that I will honor Him in what He has called me to do.
 
My favorite bible verse is: Colossians 3:17  “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Hello, my name is Gayle Dean and I am the Church Administration Secretary and Ministry Assistant. My husband Ronnie and I have been members since 2009. We have three children, Staci, Vance and Brittany. We also have ten grandchildren. I graduated from Dothan High School in 1983. One month later I started my first job at 17 with Wex-Tex/Knothe in Dothan. Thirty years later the company was sold and moved to Miami, FL. In March 2013, I found myself searching for a job for the first time in thirty years.
 
After a year of searching and praying, God showed himself in a mighty way. I truly believe with all my heart that this is where God wanted me to be. I have always had faith that God would provide for me. My life verse is Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” I serve an awesome God! 

I am beyond blessed to serve as a Ministry Assistant at Memphis Baptist Church.  My family and I have been members and serving since 2009.  I am married to Ron Herring. We have two children and a bonus son;  Hannah Brooke Dixon (Taylor) and Carson.  It was such a privilege for Ron and I to witness our children make their public profession of faith here at Memphis in April 2010; as well as be baptized together.  
 
I grew up in Dothan and attended Bethel Baptist Church.  It was there where I felt the Lord calling me into a personal relationship with him in 1982.  I graduated from Dothan High School in 1992, attended Wallace Community College and Troy Dothan.  Ron and I married in 1995.  It is in that same year I began employment with a local physician’s office in administration until 2019.  After stepping away from the corporate world; the Lord blessed me with an opportunity to join the staff at Memphis.
 
My life verse:  Proverbs 16:9   In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.  This verse is a sweet reminder that God knows the future.  He guides and directs according to His Will for our life.