Pastoral Leadership Team

Dr. Paul Ballard, Sr. Pastor

Paul Ballard with his wife, Libbie

Family Focus:
Married to Libbie, 2 children, Lauren and Matthew
Background:
Considers Alabama home.
Passion:
Preaching and Teaching Gods Word and casting a vision for HIS Church.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:
Walking on and playing football at the University of Alabama 1982-1983.
Academic:
BA Wofford College; Master of Divinity, Southwestern Baptist Seminary; Dr. of Ministry, Columbia International University; Dissertation, Team building.
Joined Staff:
May 16, 2011

Doug Cox, Executive Pastor

Doug Cox with his wife, Nancy

Family Focus:: Married to Nancy, my childhood sweetheart, since 1967
Background:: Grew up in Cartersville, GA
Passion:: Seeing that everything is done “decently and in order”
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: Snowmobiling in Yellowstone National Park for 3 unforgettable days
Academic:: B.Music/Voice, Samford University; Master of Sacred Music/Voice, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Joined Staff:: March 15, 1993

Debbie Braswell, Children’s Pastor

Debbie Braswell with her husband, Randy

Family Focus:: My husband Randy and our “Diva Dog”, Lady.
Background:: Born and raised in Blairsville, GA. A real “mountain girl!”
Passion:: Helping children to discover that they are special creations of God; that He loves them and has a plan for their lives which includes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: An overnight backpacking trip with a group of children in Yosemite National Park.
Academic:: B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Tift College, M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College, Masters of Arts in Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Joined Staff:: July 16, 1998

Richard King, Discipleship Pastor

Richard King with his wife, Betsy

Family Focus:: Betsy and our daughter, Joy, who has given us three grandchildren, Lily, Easton and Lauren and a son in law, Kendall.
Background:: Born in South Carolina and lived teeange years in Winter Haven, Florida.
Passion:: Using the power of God’s Word to continually place people in a position to be lead, nurtured, and disciplined by the Holy Spirit, so God’s purpose for their lives are realized to the fullest.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: Somewhere between running a marathon, splitting a cord of wood in a day and backpacking for six nights in the Carolina mountains.
Academic:: B.S. in Civil Engineering, Auburn University.
Joined Staff:: April 2, 1984

Josh Sutton, Worship Pastor

Josh Sutton with his wife, Katie

Family Focus:: Wife, Katie and daughter Sophie
Background:: Grew up in Fort Worth, TX
Passion:: My ministry exists to help people see the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ and the glorious truth of the gospel through the particular means of truth-drenched worship music, personal discipleship and missional living for God’s glory and their joy.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: Still to be determined
Academic:: B.S. in Religion, Liberty University
Joined Staff:: October 26, 2009

Dave Wiley, High School/College Pastor

Dave Wiley with his wife, Danielle

Family Focus:: Married to Danielle since October of 2007
Background:: Grew up in Lilburn, Georgia and spent most of my life as a member of Mountain Park Baptist
Passion:: I Love working with students, getting involved in their lives to walk along with them in the journey. I love seeing the light bulb come on as they discover all that God has planned for their lives. I am also a big fan of sports, both playing and talking about it.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: I have had the wonderful opportunity to put a new roof on a house in the middle of the Florida Summer
Academic:: B.S. in Psychology, Shorter College; M Div, Southwestern Seminary B.S.
Joined Staff:: December 1, 2009

Kevin Lamb, Middle School Pastor

Kevin Lamb with his wife, Amanda

Family Focus:: Amanda and I had our first child, McKenzie Kate, in June 2010
Background:: Born and raised in Lilburn, Georgia. I have been a member of Mountain Park First Baptist my whole life.
Passion:: I love working with youth. Their passion for life is a daily encouragement to me. I play sports of all kinds and love competition in general.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: Carrying a friend out of the woods for six miles on a stretcher we made from trees and rope. That was pretty challenging and scary.
Academic:: B.S., Georgia College and State University.
Joined Staff:: June 1, 2006

Ron Everett, Sr. Adult Pastor

Ron Everett with his wife, Linda

Family Focus:: Married to Linda since 1969. We have two children, Melissa and Ron Jr., plus 6 grandchildren.
Background:: Born and raised in Greenwood, SC, lived in GA, FL, AL and Ky. I have lived most of my adult life in Atlanta.
Passion:: Showing people the love of Christ through living, teaching and ministry.
Most Physically Challenging Experience:: Army basic training at Ft. Benning.
Academic:: BBA and MBA, GA State; MDIV, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Joined Staff:: February 13, 2012